Forests & Ecosystem Services Manager

Forests & Ecosystem Services Manager

Title:Forests & Ecosystem Services Manager
Reports to: Forest Standards Manager
Contract type: Permanent (subject to successful completion of a probationary period)
Location: Home-based, with occasional travel within the UK and beyond. Desk-space can be made available in FSC UK’s Llanidloes Offices if this is preferred and there will be times when attendance at the Llanidloes office is required.
Salary: Starting salary from £35,044 p.a. pro rata, depending on experience.
Hours: 35 hours per week (negotiable)

Introduction to the role:

We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated individual to drive forward our approach to independent verification and data-driven claims about Ecosystem Services in forestry projects.

Are you looking for an exciting new opportunity to use and expand your skills and interest in forestry, conservation, nature markets and sustainable investment? Would you be suited to a wide-ranging position, which would require you to engage with a broad range of multi-sector stakeholders to ensure the delivery of high quality and verifiable Ecosystem Services? If so, perhaps you would like to join our small and dedicated team who are committed to promoting the values of FSC and the benefits of certification and place yourself at the heart of delivering woodland based ecosystem changes.

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC®) is an international organisation dedicated to ensuring that forests are managed in a responsible manner across the globe. FSC UK is a registered charity responsible for promoting the FSC’s aims and objectives throughout the United Kingdom.

A key element of FSC UK’s work is to promote responsible forestry and FSC forest management certification and to support and represent FSC forest management certificate holders. FSC Verified Impact (formerly ecosystem services verification) builds on FSC forest management certification by providing forest stewards with a framework for monitoring and verifying the impact of conservation and restoration activities. Interest in verified impacts of forestry projects is growing in the UK and we are seeking to build on the work of the previous Manager in this area.

Main purpose and responsibilities of the role:

• Encourage uptake of FSC forest management certification and impact verification though technical support and guidance to forest managers/FSC group scheme managers and Certification Bodies.
• Promote FSC’s Verified Impact to potential funders and help to connect businesses to ecosystem-services projects in FSC-certified forests, supporting their promotion of FSC claims.
• Lead on the development of a UK market strategy for FSC Verified Impact projects including value proposition, partnership opportunities and communication guidance.
• Identify opportunities and build relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including government policy makers, potential funders of forestry projects, broker organisations, scheme owners and organisations representing forest owners and managers.
• Engage with environmental and social NGOs, primarily through umbrella bodies such as Wildlife & Countryside Link.
• Deliver presentations on FSC to relevant audiences (e.g. at forestry events and to interested associations, businesses and educational establishments, etc.).
• Attend and represent FSC at conferences, trade fairs, training courses, events and meetings as required.
• Represent FSC UK on relevant FSC International groups and taskforces to help improve the FSC system and standards.
• Support FSC UK’s delivery of FSC International funded projects.
• Coordinate FSC UK responses to relevant consultations and support of campaigns.
• Increase awareness of the value of forests and FSC certification in the context of climate mitigation and biodiversity.
• Assimilate information on FSC and forestry related issues and provide briefings and updates to other FSC UK staff and external stakeholders as appropriate.
• Identify examples of best practice and work with the Communications Manager and certificate holders to develop case studies on FSC forest management certification and impact verification.
• Respond to, or support enquiries regarding forest related issues in the UK and other countries, collaborating the wider FSC Network as appropriate.
• Deputise for the Executive Director and Forest Standards Manager at events and meetings as required.
• Support FSC UK as appropriate.

Person Specification:

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

•  An understanding of forest management in the UK
•  An understanding of environment and nature markets
•  Established track record of relevant experience
•  Relevant degree or equivalent
•  Good understanding of Microsoft Office

Desirable

•  An existing understanding of FSC/certification
•  Experience working on design/ delivery of nature-based solutions or natural capital projects

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Experience of communicating effectively and accurately both in spoken and written form
• Excellent interpersonal skills to maintain good working relationships
• Ability to work on own initiative but happy to follow instruction and accept guidance
• Effective time management and organisational skills with the ability to prioritise workload
• UK driving licence

Personal attributes

Essential

• Able to work as part of a small and dynamic team
• Friendly and professional manner
• A positive, enthusiastic attitude with an ability to enthuse others
• Able to relate to the mission and values of FSC UK and work towards its strategic objectives

Desirable

• A good sense of humour

Application Process:

Please upload your CV and a covering letter, outlining how you meet the criteria stated in the Person Specification and responsibilities of the role, here.

The deadline for applications for this post is 11:59pm on 28th January 2024.

Interviews for this post will be held online.

We expect your CV to be honest and accurate. Before offering this post, we will check material facts recorded on your CV and covering letter and take up references.