Project Manager

The European Forest Institute (EFI) is an international organisation with 30 member countries and around 130 member organisations. EFI’s headquarters are located in Joensuu, Finland. EFI has several offices across Europe, including in Barcelona, Spain and under its International Partnerships Facility a project office in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

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.

EFI is preparing for the implementation of the EU-funded PASSAD programme (2024-2029), which aims to strengthen the sustainable and inclusive management of forest resources in Côte d’Ivoire. In the context of this new programme, EFI will work with national and local stakeholders to:

• Strengthen the implementation of the Forest Conservation, Rehabilitation and Extension Strategy (SPREF) in collaboration with the European Investment Bank (EIB);
• Implement the FLEGT Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) and develop production and management capacities for a sustainable forestry sector;
• Develop an inclusive and sustainable forestry system in the rural domain.

EFI is seeking a Project Manager, based in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, to lead the implementation of the PASSAD programme.

Key responsibilities will include:

Project management and coordination

• Day-to-day management and coordination of the PASSAD programme, including planning, implementation and follow-up of activities, including with service providers and grantees;
• Work planning, budgeting and annual reporting of activities under the PASSAD programme;
• Preparation for and participation in technical and Steering Committee meetings;
• Coordination of EFI technical experts in Abidjan and Barcelona, as well as stakeholders and other programmes in the targeted landscapes and technical areas of intervention; and
• Facilitation of information exchange between PASSAD implementing partners.

Technical support

• Technical assistance and supervision of activities in support of the EIB´s planned investments in forest governance and sustainable forest management, and in response to the MINEF´s needs to facilitate the implementation of the SPREF;
• Technical assistance and supervision of activities aimed at implementing the FLEGT VPA and the development of a sustainable and inclusive (agro)forestry sector.

The Project Manager will work closely with the EU Delegation and the EIB in Abidjan and well as other key stakeholders involved in the implementation of the PASSAD programme.

Duty station and travel

The Project Manager will be based in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, with regular field missions and travel inside Côte d’Ivoire and occasionally to Europe.

Conditions of engagement

The Project Manager is expected to work ‘full-time’ (complete working weeks) over the contract period which will be 4 years.

The Project Manager must ensure that he/she has the right to live and work in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire from the commencement date of the contract. The Project Manager will be provided with office facilities and appropriate equipment and supplies to conduct their work. The Project Manager will be paid an hourly rate, which includes all personal costs necessary for implementing the tasks (e.g. organising appropriate health insurance).

Interested candidates are requested to send (in English) a CV including copies of academic degree certificates/diplomas with a motivation letter by 6^th December 2024 23:59 CET, using our online application form.

For more information about the in-house consultant position, please contact Christophe Van Orshoven, Team Leader at the IPF: christophe.vanorshoven@efi.int.

Information about in-house consultant conditions of engagement is available by request from Ms. Niina Verkerk: niina.verkerk@efi.int.

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

• University degree in forestry, environmental or natural resource management, or a related and suitable field. MSc/MA or higher degree is an asset;
• Minimum of ten (10) years of relevant working experience in forest, forest sector or natural resource management, or a related field, with experience in West Africa, either through permanent residence in the region or frequent travelling;
• At least five (5) years of experience with project management and managing grants of international donors/organisations. Working experience with development and/or investment banks is an asset;
• Familiarity with sustainable forest management, forest sector management and production, agroforestry systems and practices, and technical forestry training. Experience in facilitating multi-stakeholder processes is an asset;
• Ability to work on politically sensitive issues with different stakeholders: (local) governments, private sector, NGOs, CSOs and local communities, etc;
• Knowledge of and practical experience in implementing gender approaches;
• Demonstrated ability of working in multi-disciplinary teams in multi-cultural environments.
• Professional proficiency in written and spoken French and English, and proven writing, reporting, presentational and communication skills.