Ecosystem Services Regional Lead – Africa (m-f-d) Full Time

We are looking for an engaged Ecosystem Services Regional Lead who brings solid expertise and a passion for FSC’s mission, to work with us in a multinational environment.

To lead the development and marketing of FSC as an attractive and high integrity nature-based solution, with a focus on carbon and biodiversity markets in Sub-Saharan Africa in the context of FSC’s Ecosystem Services Procedure.

Are you interested in developing, nurturing and supporting forest manager’s application of FSC’s Ecosystem Services Procedure? Do you enjoy facilitating and matchmaking global businesses and corporate sponsors with network partners and national representatives? If so, we invite you to join our dynamic team at FSC as an Ecosystem Services Regional Lead.

The role is responsible for driving CES project origination within the defined subregional scope as follows:

Own (sub-regional) CES Project Pipeline

• Develop, maintain, and strengthen a regional pipeline of potential CES projects for Ecosystem Services Procedure
• Deliver a pipeline that produces at least 15 projects for registration each calendar year.
• Develop and own relationships with potential project hosts and owners on FM certified land in the region, serving as their trusted advisor.

Build partner and developer support ecosystem.

• Direct reporting line into the Programme Manager (Value Selling) in the Head Office and working in close coordination with the Climate & Ecosystem Services team, the Africa regional team, and national representatives, the incumbent shall build, contract, manage, and oversee a regional network of licensed project developers and, when relevant, certification bodies.
• Serve as local representative and enabler of FSC technical and legal matters, assisting Forest Management Certificate Holders and project developers in using FSC’s Ecosystem Services procedure, carbon methodologies, or sustainable finance instruments.
• Support pre-feasibility and feasibility studies by project developers for FSC Ecosystem Services projects in the FSC pipeline.
• Support project developers and forest managers in validating and in moving ES projects towards verification.
• Coordinate with and support work of other regional and global topic leads through knowledge sharing, internal training, and if needed, filling interim roles.

Support marketing and training.

• Providing training and visibility for FSC Verified Impact with subregional forest managers, companies, project developers, governments etc.
• Lead matchmaking between projects within the defined subregion and investors or sponsors located outside the subregion.
• Support work within Marketing, Communication, and Engagement Teams with regional insights, contacts, and market intelligence, as content producer, reviewer, and, occasionally, assuming project ownership.
• Additional tasks as agreed with the Programme Manager (Value Selling).

Education and Training: 

• University degree in a relevant field such as Business Administration, Economics/Finance, Environmental Science, Agriculture and Forest Science, Natural Resource Management, Engineering, and Sustainability.

Working Experience, Style and Skills: 

• At least 5 years of demonstrated professional experience, with at least two years in a role with relevant outreach and market development functions within one or more of the following: Forest and Forestry Sector, Environmental project development & In-field NGO or development cooperation work.
• Track record working in a project-based organisation.
• Preferably 1-2 years’ experience in providing training, teaching, communication or similar outgoing and people facing roles.
• Experience in working with international organisations and international project teams.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Good analytical and numerical skills.
• Collaborative working style and team building skills.
• Well organised and with a business mindset
• Time management skills and multi-tasking abilities.
• Service and solution-orientated attitude to work.

Language & Communication Skills:

• Strong verbal and written communication and presentation skills
• Fluency in English (spoken and written)
• Fluency or proficiency in French/local languages

Digital Skills:

• Good skills in the use of standard software packages (MS Office).

• Be part of a globally recognized organization at the forefront of sustainable forestry and contribute to the mission to help protect the world’s forests.
• Play an active role in the FSC global community of 400+ forest stewards who come together in-person at least once a year.
• Benefit from cross-cultural collaboration and networking opportunities by working in a dynamic, inclusive, and diverse international culture with over 60 nationalities represented under one roof.

• Preferred Locations: Cameroun, Gabon, Kenya, Republic of Congo, South Africa, and Uganda.  Other locations in sub-Saharan Africa will also be considered.
• Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week)
• Starting Date: As soon as possible.
• Duration of consultancy agreement: 2 years (extension subject to satisfactory performance).

How to Apply 
Ready to make a difference? Join FSC and help shape a sustainable future. Don’t delay – apply now!

• Please apply via our website by submitting your CV in English.
• Please do not send any photos of yourself.
• The deadline for applications is 06 October 2024.

For FSC, inclusiveness and diversity are important values. As such, we welcome and encourage applications from all backgrounds and are entirely committed to consider all qualified applicants regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, age and disability.

We will confirm receipt of your application. Should you not receive a confirmation of receipt please check your spam filter and if you cannot find it there contact us at careers@fsc.org

Please be informed, that by applying for this position you automatically accept our Data Protection Information on processing your personal data.

We are looking forward to your application!

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Welcome to FSC!
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is a globally recognized non-profit organization at the forefront of promoting sustainable forestry. With over 150 million hectares of certified forests and a trusted reputation among NGOs, consumers, and businesses, FSC is leading the way in ensuring the long-term health and resilience of the world’s forests.