The European Forest Institute is now seeking a COMMUNICATIONS TEAM LEADER for its FLEGT and REDD Unit European Forest Institute (EFI) is an international organisation with 22 European member countries, and over 120 Associate Member institutions. EFI Headquarters is located in Joensuu, Finland. EFI has several Regional Offices across Europe and a FLEGT office (Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and is establishing an office in Brussels.
The EFI FLEGT and REDD unit executes two Facilities: The EU FLEGT Facility and the EU REDD Facility. The Communications Team Leader will be responsible for leading communication activities for both Facilities supporting the European Commission, EU Member States and partner countries in communicating about FLEGT and REDD, and develops and manages a number of communication activities and products.
EFI’s EU FLEGT Facility supports the implementation of the FLEGT Action Plan of the European Union. The Facility is funded by the European Commission with co-funding from the Governments of the UK, the Netherlands, Finland, France and Germany. The Facility aims at having reforms adopted that improve forest governance and the functioning of timber markets, ensuring that illegal logging and associated trade which adversely affect the poor are adequately tackled.
EFI is currently setting up the EU REDD Facility, which will assist the EU and developing countries in preparing for the implementation of REDD-schemes and arrangements.
To reinforce the FLEGT and REDD Communications Team EFI will recruit a Communications Team Leader who will report to the operations manager of the FLEGT and REDD Unit.
Tasks and responsibilities
The Communications Team Leader will be responsible for the general strategic development of the communication activities of the FLEGT and REDD Unit. S/he will oversee the development of a comprehensive communications strategy for the FLEGT Action Plan and for the EU FLEGT and the EU REDD Facilities. The incumbent will advise the European Commission on FLEGT communication questions, design and conduct communication activities, and support partner countries in developing FLEGT communication strategies. S/he will work closely with the EFI HQ Communication Unit and with relevant stakeholders in Europe and in partner countries, including government, private sector and NGOs. The successful candidate will supervise communications staff in the EFI FLEGT and REDD Unit.
In particular s/he will:
- Oversee and guide the work of the FLEGT and REDD Communications Team.
- Be responsible for internal coordination of communication activities with other teams of the FLEGT and REDD Unit and the EFI HQ Communications Unit.
- Coordinate and oversee the work planning and implementation of communication activities, as well as outsourcing of communication activities to third parties.
- Ensure the visibility of the EFI Facilities and harmonised messages in all relevant products and oversee publication procedures related to those.
- Oversee and guide designing, writing and publishing of visual and printed materials published by EFI in the context of FLEGT and REDD.
- Act as editor of the periodic newsletter/s published by the Unit.
- Assist the European Commission in developing and managing FLEGT/REDD communications strategies and activities addressing various constituencies in the EU and in partner countries.
- Contribute to and/or manage PR events at key moments in VPA process, including signing of VPA and start of FLEGT licensed product on EU market.
- Guide partner countries in preparing national FLEGT communications strategies.
- Set up and maintain a mainstream media network.
- Execute other tasks as assigned.
Qualifications:
- Preferably more than 10 years of relevant communications experience, experience involving developing countries will be a considerable plus.
- Strong previous experience in communicating natural resources management issues in general. Specific experience in the context of forest governance, carbon and climate change is considered an important asset.
- Excellent communication and networking skills, solid writing and reporting skills.
- Proven skills in the management and development of comprehensive, international communications strategies and tactics, and track record for creative and strategic thinking and pragmatic problem solving.
- Ability to empathize with diverse target groups.
- Ability to work on complex and politically sensitive issues with governments, the private sector, NGOs and communities.
- Excellent writing and presentation skills.
- Fluent English speaker. Solid skills in French OR Spanish are important. Skills in Portuguese are an asset.
- Master degree in communication, journalism or related subject. A specialized qualification in social science, forestry or natural resource management is considered an asset.
- Demonstrated ability of working in multi-disciplinary international teams and in multi-cultural environments, experience in working with virtual teams will be a plus.
Duty station and travel
The expert will be based in Brussels or in a nearby location, with frequent travelling in Europe and to FLEGT and REDD partner countries.
Employment conditions
The expert will be an EFI staff member. The duration of employment will last until the end 2013. EFI offers competitive benefits and salary packages.
Interested candidates are requested to apply online by March 7th, 2011, submitting their application letter and CV. If it is not possible to apply online please send your application to: Human Resources Office, EFI, email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
For more information about the post please contact Tomi Tuomasjukka, Operations Manager, EU FLEGT Facility, phone +358-504.339.049, email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
