We are looking for a Senior thematic expert Participatory Forest and Landscape Restoration

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Tropenbos International (TBI) envisions a future in which forests are used sustainably for the benefit of people and the global community. We work to improve the livelihoods of local communities as well as bring significant benefits to global society through climate change mitigation and biodiversity conservation. In 2017 we became a global network of independent members, working in more than 10 countries in the Global South. With tropical forests again high on the international agenda to help counter climate change and biodiversity loss, Tropenbos International’s work is more relevant than ever. Over the past five years, the organisation has grown significantly. In its new strategy, the network sets the ambitious goal to double its current impact.

To support TBI network in its development and growth, we are now recruiting a Senior thematic expert Participatory Forest and Landscape Restoration to further develop this impact area.

Your role

In your primary role as senior thematic expert ‘participatory forest and landscape restoration’ you will use your convening skills to bring thematic experts, practitioners and partners along, on an equal footing, in the realisation and further development of this Impact Area. You will be TBI’s secretariat’s face on this topic in efforts to disseminate and scale the work in appropriate regional and global arena and provide backstopping on your theme to offices and programmes. This includes representing the institution and inspiring and connecting colleagues and stakeholders. You will guide and support an international cross network community of practice on knowledge management, strategy implementation and proposal development for resource mobilisation. You will advise country teams and their partners on strategies to contribute to the global restoration goals by championing the equitable, locally-owned solutions and stimulate the emergence of a common vision and approach throughout the network. You have a strategic and analytical perspective on contexts and substance of forest and landscape restoration and a drive to bring stakeholders together and facilitate through innovative approaches collective learning and action. You are willing to travel abroad occasionally.

Key tasks and deliverables:

1. Build and strengthen a relevant network for TB network on participatory restoration
2. Facilitate the community of practice, guide the development of network knowledge products (publications, webinars, tools, etc.)
3. Develop thematic and programmatic partnerships for knowledge development and resource mobilisation
4. Provide thought leadership and vision to the network, linking the network’s field expertise to international dialogues and conventions as well as (financial) mechanisms for scaling and mobilise these to support locally owned restoration at landscape levels.
5. Support the development and advice (and occasionally backstopping to) implementation of restoration programmes in partner countries
6. Develop, convene and facilitate state of art social learning, capacity strengthening and collaborative processes (on- and offline) with multiple stakeholders for locally owned solutions for restoration
7. Assume the secretariat’s liaison and support coordination of one or several countries offices and/or programme partners, preferably in the African region

Experience and technical skills

1. Academic degree relevant to participatory restoration of forests and landscapes
2. Proven state of the art state of the art knowledge and experience and the ability to translate this into a clear vision and strategies for participatory restoration
3. Track record with relevant publications
4. Proven experience in convening and facilitating multistakeholder dialogue
5. Experience with innovative (multistakeholder) learning and co-creation processes
6. At least 5 years of field experience, preferably in Asia and/or Africa.
7. Fluent in English and French
8. Excellent writing skills
9. Strong analytical capacities and proven interest, especially in terms of political economy and systems analysis to design interventions and strategies that lead to a lasting impact
10. Hands-on mentality and willingness to take on specific tasks.

We offer

1. A one-year contract for 32-36 hours per week with the prospect of extension
2. Depending on your experience the full-time salary ranges between €4.000 - €5.800 gross p/m
3. Attractive terms of employment, including a year-end bonus of 8,3%
4. A 10% non-contributary pension
5. 208 leave hours based on a 36-hour workweek
6. Flexibility in working from home and in the office
7. Room for initiative and professional development in a strongly mission driven organization

Ready to participate in sustainable development and growth?

Then send your motivation and resume in PDF f.a.o. Joost van Montfort, Executive Director to joost.vanmontfort@tropenbos.org. The closing date is 15 January 2023.

1. The procedure consists of two interviews in January.
2. We are aiming for a start date no later than March 2023.
3. If you have any questions, please, send an e-mail to joost.vanmontfort@tropenbos.org. Due to the Holidays, it might take a little longer to get a response.
4. For positions based in Ede a valid work permit for the EU is required.

When you apply, you agree that references can be taken during the procedure. Applications will be processed according to GDPR-legislation.