Forests (Political) Campaigner

The Environmental Investigation agency (EIA) is an independent campaigning organisation committed to bringing about change that protects the natural world from environmental crime and abuse.

EIA’s Forests Campaign has been a major part of our work since 1999 and seeks to reduce global deforestation by improving forest governance in producer countries and implementing demand-side controls in major consumer markets. To achieve these aims, EIA conducts research, investigations and lobbying activities designed to curb illegal logging and trade in illicit timber by closing major markets to imports of illegally sourced timber and wood products. EIA is also working to ensure forest governance measures are embedded in emerging avoided deforestation schemes, and to reduce forest conversion for plantations.

Main purpose of position

The Campaigner will play a major role in assisting EIA’s Forest Campaign in delivering a range of projects and activities, and in particular assist in advocating EIA’s main goals. Experience in this sector would be an advantage and knowledge of East Asia and European markets helpful. Knowledge of international processes such as the EU Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade (FLEGT) initiative, which EIA supports in East Asia, the European Union Timber Regulation (EUTR), the European Union Action Plan on Deforestation and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) is an advantage.

Job specification: EIA Campaigner (Forests – Political)

Specific responsibilities

• Assist the campaign in planning and undertaking advocacy missions
• Represent EIA at meetings with government officials, NGOs and other groups
• Produce written reports of trips and meetings
• Monitor campaign-related information of FLEGT Voluntary Partnership Agreements
• Monitor and engage with the European Union Action on Deforestation
• Assist in monitoring the EUTR
• Contribute to building and sustaining a network of contacts in key countries and institutions
• Participate in lobbying, research and investigative activities with senior staff as required
• Assist in the planning, writing and production of reports, briefings and other communications materials for external audiences as required.

Range of responsibilities

• Communicate with EIA’s foreign partner organisations as directed
• Assist in campaign administration as required
• Assist in fundraising activities as directed
• Assist in both internal and external report and briefing writing and production, as required by the Forests Campaign
• Work-related travel to East Asia, Europe and possibly other parts of the world may be required
• Maintaining up-to-date Forests Campaign contacts databases and administering dissemination of targeted communications materials
• Representing EIA’s Forests Campaign at external meetings and events where required and as directed.
• Assist in campaign-related research as directed.

Person specification

Skills and abilities

• Ability to analyse complex social, political, economic and environmental parameters in ways that inform EIA’s work and communications
• Ability to understand technical inputs related to the timber and palm oil sector
• Ability to work with different cultures and languages
• Ability to conduct detailed targeted research projects and tasks
• Strong interpersonal, communication and time management skills
• An ability to work independently but also as a team member
• Ability to travel at short notice, including to potentially challenging environments
• Ability to work under pressure
• Legal right to work in the UK
• Fully proficient in Windows applications such as Word, Excel and Outlook.

Knowledge

• Preferably knowledge of global forestry and governance issues
• Understanding of South-East and East Asia society and politics

Qualifications and experience

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

Ideal qualities

• Understanding and experience of international forest policy initiatives surrounding environmental and climate issues pertaining to forests, such as FLEGT and VPAs, the EUAPDD, Lacey Act, REDD/REDD+, RSPO and CITES.

Languages

• European languages, Chinese, Indonesian and Burmese an asset.

Organisational matters

The Role is set as Grade 2 within EIA.

Salary Scale (£25,000 – £36,000), depending on experience

The Campaigner will report to the Forests Campaign Team Leader