Forests Campaigner - London, United Kingdom - Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA)

Description

About us

We investigate and campaign against environmental crime and abuse.

Our undercover investigations expose transnational wildlife crime, with a focus on elephants
and tigers, and forest crimes such as illegal logging and deforestation for cash crops like
palm oil. We work to safeguard global marine ecosystems by addressing the threats posed by
plastic pollution, bycatch and commercial exploitation of whales, dolphins and porpoises.
Finally, we reduce the impact of climate change by campaigning to eliminate powerful
refrigerant greenhouse gases, exposing related illicit trade and improving energy efficiency in
the cooling sector.

About the role

The Forest Campaign has been a major part of EIA's work since 1999 and works to reduce global
deforestation by improving forest governance in producer countries and implemented demand side
controls in major consumer markets.

As a major element of EIA's work to achieve these aims, EIA conducts research, investigations,
policy and advocacy activities designed to reduce illegal logging, deforestation and associated
human rights abuses, with a particular focus on timber and palm oil.

The Campaigner will play a major role in assisting EIA's Forests campaign in delivering a range
of projects and activities, with a particular focus on European policy work and forest-risk
commodities including timber and palm oil, as maternity cover.


Main purpose of position:
The Campaigner will work with the Forests Team
Leader in the delivery of ongoing and evolving campaign outputs in support of campaign goals;
planning and implementing activities towards this end, including relevant research programs,
investigations, policy and advocacy activities.

Organisational matters

This position will be line managed by the Forest Team Leader. Paid, Full Time, Maternity Cover
(Contract period is up to 1 year February February 2024, with the possibility of
extension to a permanent role, depending on funding and performance)


Responsibilities:

Write and produce internal and external reports and briefings as required

Produce written reports of trips and meetings

Participate in advocacy, research, and investigative activities, as required.

Communicate and work closely with EIA's foreign partner organisations

Monitor and respond to policy developments in the EU, UK and producer countries,
particularly on the EU Regulation on Deforestation-Free Products and EU Timber Regulation

Undertake legal analysis of new regulations in the EU/UK and monitor law enforcement in the
EU and UK

Represent EIA at meetings and continue on-going communications and advocacy with policy
makers, other NGOs, companies and other stakeholders, as required.

Assist the campaign in planning and undertaking advocacy trips

Identify investigative and funding opportunities within the goals of the Forest campaign
strategy


Skills and abilities:

to analyse complex social, political, economic and environmental parameters in ways that
inform EIA's work and communications.

to understand technical inputs related to the timber (forests) and palm oil sector(land)
and associated trade data analyses

to work with different culture and languages

to conduct detailed targeted research projects and tasks

strong interpersonal, communication and time management skills.

to travel at short notice, including to potentially challenging environments

to work under pressure, and as part of a small team

legal right to work in the UK


Qualifications and Experience:

Minimum of two years experience as part of a campaigning organisation, research
organisation or equivalent.


Ideal Qualities:

Knowledge of international legislation that relates to forests such as the European Union
Regulation on Deforestation-Free Products, European Union Timber Regulation (EUTR), Lacey, the
UK Environment Act and UK Timber Act

Understanding and experience of forest risk commodities, especially the timber and palm oil
sectors, and relevant standards, laws and certification systems

Understanding and experience of international forest governance initiatives such as Forest
Law Enforcement Governance and Trade (FLEGT) - Voluntary Partnership Agreements (VPA)

An understanding of business and financial issues

An understanding of South-East Asia politics, environmental and human rights is an asset

Professional legal expertise and knowledge of law enforcement is desirable


Languages:
ability to speak and read Bahasa Indonesia, Bahasa Malay, or other Asian
languages, or other European languages, is desirable

Operational Management of Activities

In conjunction with the Forest Team produce work plans for activities and regular reports
on activities undertaken

Financial Planning and Budget Management

Produce budgets for all activities prior to expenditure

Submit expenditure reports on time and in the required format

Strategic Planning

Contribute to the production of annual campaign strategies for EIA Forest Campaign