Forest Governance Expert

The European Forest Institute (EFI) is an international organisation with 30 member countries and around 130 member organisations. EFI undertakes policy support and forest research at pan-European and global levels. EFI is headquartered in Joensuu, Finland and has offices across Europe in Barcelona, Bonn and Rome, and under its International Partnerships Facility, a project office in Kuala Lumpur.

The International Partnerships Facility (IPF) of EFI is a global centre of knowledge and expertise that supports policy and governance reforms to safeguard the world’s forests. It promotes sustainable forest and land use to help protect and restore forests and maximise their role in green economic growth, climate change mitigation and poverty alleviation. It also fosters legal, deforestation-free and sustainable commodity production and trade.

In Ghana, EFI is implementing the EU funded Sustainable Forestry and Cocoa Programme and in Côte d'Ivoire EFI is implementing the EU funded PASSAD Programme. Both programmes include components in support of the national FLEGT initiatives, including support for the Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) process in the Côte d'Ivoire.

We are seeking a Forest Governance Expert to join our Forest Governance team to support delivery of the FLEGT components in the programmes in Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire.

Key responsibilities will include:

The Expert will work closely with the EU Delegations and stakeholders in partner countries including governments, forest operators, industry and civil society. She/he will:

• Prepare and oversee the implementation of workplans and reporting for delivery of the expected results for the FLEGT/VPA components of the Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana programmes.

• Provide or support others in their provision of expertise as needed for the FLEGT/VPA components of the Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana programmes.

• Support VPA implementation in Côte d'Ivoire through assistance to bilateral and national dialogues and all other aspects of the VPA process as needed.

• Provide technical and process expertise and support for the enhancement and progress on forest governance, policy and legal reform processes in Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and other partner countries as needed, including through management of contracts and grants with external partners and service providers.

• Work in close collaboration with EFI’s Forest Governance and Value chains experts and others working on technical elements of legality, sustainability and supply chain control, and contribute to knowledge capitalisation and strategic thinking in these areas.

• Prepare and/or contribute to technical and other analyses, guidance, briefings, lessons to inform FLEGT and forest governance actors, as needed.

Duty station and travel

The Expert will be based at EFI’s Barcelona office with frequent travel to Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana.  

Employment Conditions

The Expert will be an EFI staff member. The duration of employment will be two (2) years, including a 6-month probation period, with a possibility for extension.  EFI offers a competitive benefits and salary package.

Interested candidates are requested to send (in English) a CV including copies of academic degree certificates/diplomas with a motivation letter outlining how you fulfil the requirements for the position by 3rd October 2025 at 23.59 CET, using our online application form.

For more information about the position, please contact Tim Dawson at the IPF: tim.dawson@efi.int.

EFI is an equal opportunity employer. All applications will be treated confidentially.

• University degree in law preferably with a specialisation in forestry, environment or a subject relevant to the tasks. MSc/MA or higher degree is an asset.

• Minimum of eight (8) years of relevant working experience, with at least five (5) years post-graduation work experience on policy/legal issues related to forestry and/or natural resource management in Central/West Africa.

• Minimum of two (2) years project management or contract management experience.

• Experience in forest governance, FLEGT processes or VPAs. Knowledge of EU Deforestation Regulation is an asset.

• Experience in supply chain controls or legality assurance systems.

• Knowledge and/or experience of gender approaches.

• Ability to work with multi-disciplinary teams on complex and politically sensitive issues with governments, industry and NGOs.

• Excellent communication and networking skills, solid writing, reporting and presentation skills.

• Professional proficiency in written and spoken English and French.