Project Manager - Malaysian Smallholder Project

The European Forest Institute

is now seeking a

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.

In Malaysia, EFI implements the Malaysian Smallholder Project with European Union (EU) funding. This initiative aims to improve the livelihoods of Malaysian smallholder palm oil and rubber producers by enhancing EU market access. From the end of 2025 EU market access for rubber and palm oil and certain derived products will be dependent on compliance with the information requirements of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).

EFI is seeking a Project Manager, to be based in Kuala Lumpur, to lead the implementation of the Malaysian Smallholder Project.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Lead the implementation of the Malaysian Smallholder Project.

• Lead coordination with the Malaysian government, national stakeholders, and the EU.

• Coordinate the work of experts based in the KL office contributing to Malaysian Smallholder Project and activities.

• Serve as a Value Chain Expert in Malaysia’s palm oil and rubber sectors, providing technical support on value chain management to agencies working with smallholders.

• Undertake financial planning and reporting, manage budgets and prepare and oversee the implementation of subcontracts. 

• Prepare technical reports, briefs, presentations, and other documentation to inform the EU, the Malaysian Government and other stakeholders.

• Support the dissemination of best practices and knowledge products to relevant stakeholders in liaison with the EFI communications team, the EU delegations and project partners.

• Foster collaboration with other relevant initiatives implemented by the International Partnership Facility to ensure alignment and knowledge exchange.

• Represent EFI at relevant meetings and events.

Duty station:

The employee will be based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Employment conditions:

The employee will be an EFI staff member. This is a fixed term appointment of 2 years with the possibility for further extension subject to the successful candidate’s performance. 

How to apply:

Interested candidates are requested to send (in English) a CV including copies of academic degree certificates/diplomas with a motivation letter by 17th March 2025 23:59 CET, using our online application form.

For more information about this position, please contact Josil Murray or Flip van Helden at EFI’s Kuala Lumpur office: josil.murray@efi.int or flip.vanhelden@efi.int

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

• University degree related to forest or natural resource management, environment or the social and economic sciences or other relevant field or subject. Master’s degree or higher is an asset.

• Experienced in implementing donor-funded and development cooperation programs, with a demonstrated capacity to manage complex projects / programs in a result-oriented yet flexible manner.

• At least 8 years’ experience working in Malaysia; additional experience in Southeast Asia is highly desirable.

• At least 4 years of experience in managing projects in forest or agricultural commodity value chains with specific experience in the palm oil and/or rubber sectors desirable.

• Understanding of the EU Deforestation Regulation and its implications for value chain actors desirable. 

• Demonstrated ability to work on politically sensitive issues with a wide range of stakeholders (governments, industry, civil society).

• Experience in financial forecasting, budgeting and control.

• Strong communications and writing skills, experience and willingness to engage donors, technical partners and stakeholders.

• Team player and problem solver, with the ability to take initiative and work effectively in a dynamic, multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural environment.

• Skilled use of Microsoft Office (notably Word and Excel) and collaborative working environments (e.g. Microsoft Teams)

• Professional proficiency in English and Bahasa Malaysia are required.