Campaigner, Forest Sector Transparency (Congo basin)

Reporting to: Campaign Leader, Forest Sector Transparency

Overall Context
Global Witness has been implementing a major programme funded by the Department for International Development (DFID) Governance and Transparency Fund for two and a half years. This programme – Making the Forest Sector Transparent – builds on Global Witness’s pre-eminent position in international campaigning on forest governance issues. It aims to strengthen local civil society’s abilities to create demand for forest transparency in seven forest-rich countries: Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ecuador, Ghana, Guatemala, Liberia, and Peru. Programme implementation is primarily through Partner NGOs in each country of operation that in turn sub-grant to local community organisations as well as conducting its own work programme. The programme has recently completed its mid term review and will continue for a further two years. The programme website, www.foresttransparency.info and the Global Witness webpage, www.globalwitness.org/gtf provide further details.
The job is based in Global Witness’ London office and will include approximately ten weeks travel per year to partner countries and elsewhere, as required. There would be a six month probation period.

Purpose of the post
To drive campaigns to prevent natural resource-related conflict and corruption and associated environmental and human rights abuses, with a specific focus on the forests of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and of Cameroon, through strengthening local civil society advocacy and international levers for change.
This role combines a lead role in ensuring project implementation by local partner NGOs in these countries, with broader international and national advocacy work on forest issues, in conjunction with other campaigners in Global Witness.

Key Responsibilities

A. Programme lead, Francophone Africa
Responsible for developing and delivering the country-specific campaign objectives as agreed with each partner (one in Cameroon, and one plus four sub-partners in the DRC), including:
• Strategic direction: Mentor and steer the in-country programmes, to help deliver country-specific objectives, using the resources available – primarily a transparency a report card, small-grants for advocacy and capacity building, and networking opportunities.
• Capacity building: Develop and implement (possibly through external providers) a needs assessment and subsequent package of activities aimed at strengthening the internal capacity of partners and their local networks, particularly in DRC.
• Communications: actively engage the media and other communication channels, in country and internationally to make full use of the role they have in influencing change.
• Development: seek and implement new opportunities, tools and products to further the objectives, including (i) an understanding of the national and international context in which the programme operates, (ii) ways of propagating the transparency report card beyond the immediate programme partners, and (iii) using lessons from the programme in other countries.
• Monitoring and reporting: ensure reporting from country partners is of a high standard, that financial and other management / performance remains on track, and that all information requirements for donor reporting are provided.
• Act as the point person for all programme enquiries relating to Francophone Africa, liaising with all key internal and external stakeholders on the programme.

B. International Campaigning
Responsible for delivery of effective advocacy in the international arena, based on the experience derived from partner countries.
• Represent Global Witness in advocacy meetings, investigations, or with the media. Take part in Global Witness’ lobbying of and negotiations with governments, intergovernmental bodies, legislators and companies
• Write case study reports, policy documents and press releases to the highest professional standard for a variety of audiences
• Contribute to development of campaign strategies and messages relating to forests and other global public goods
• To expand professional and personal networks and other contacts who may be valuable to achieving specific campaign and / or other Global Witness campaign objectives
• Work within Global Witness policies and procedures, including confidentiality, source protection and security, legal and contractual requirements and general office procedures
• Assist in fundraising activities including the provision of campaign information and attending meetings with funders as appropriate
• Undertake any reasonable additional activities commensurate with the role and level

Person Specification

Essential:
• Demonstrable project management skills in a development NGO setting, and through local partners, including the ability to initiate, plan, manage, deliver and review a number of sub-projects at distinct project phases, including oversight of progress, milestones, issues and risks and steering projects successfully according to plan
• Experience of lobbying governments, intergovernmental organisations and companies, with demonstrated impact
• Proven record of effective use of news media and other communications to achieve campaign objectives.
• Strong interpersonal skills including experience of helping partners and non project management staff towards the timely achievement of objectives.
• Experience of undertaking fieldwork and evidence-gathering in developing countries
• Experience of writing, editing, and producing a range of written materials to a consistently high standard for a variety of audiences
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills
• Experience of developing and implementing advocacy and campaign strategies
• Fluency in written and spoken English and French
• Proven creativity, initiative and networking skills that create opportunities and respond appropriately to changing circumstances
• Willingness and ability to travel for up to two-week periods, totalling up to ten weeks a year, including to high-risk environments.
• Experience of financial and project planning, management and reporting, including delivering funder requirements.

Desirable:
• Experience of undertaking work in Congo basin countries.
• Knowledge of rights-based forest governance issues, international forest agreements such as Voluntary Partnership Agreements or forest carbon schemes such as REDD+.
• Experience of conducting media interviews with a range of national and international media.
• Experience of working in overseas offices with limited resources and unreliable services.

Complete application details available from:
http://www.globalwitness.org/about-us/jobs/forest-transparency-campaigner-congo-basin-0