We are seeking a highly skilled and invested adviser for our work on stopping global demand for unsustainable and deforestation-causing biofuels. The position’s responsibility is to lead RFN’s collaboration with other NGOs, and to develop, plan and implement RFN’s work towards Europe and globally to stop deforestation, forest degradation and human rights violations related to biofuels.

The next decade will be decisive to save the last tropical rainforests, and we at Rainforest Foundation Norway/Regnskogfondet (RFN) aim to do our part to achieve this.

We are looking for a person that is systematic, creative and self-driven, and you strongly believe in the fight to protect rainforests and indigenous peoples’ rights. You are well informed about commercially driven deforestation, and in particular how biofuels, especially from vegetable oils like palm oil and soy, drive tropical deforestation.

You will be part of RFN’s Deforestation-Free Markets team, which is an ambitious, skilled, international, and very social team that has achieved impressive results both in Norway and internationally. The team is responsible for RFN’s global work to reduce demand for commodities that drive deforestation, to stop financing of rainforest destruction and to influence companies to eliminate deforestation from their supply chains. The work is done in close collaboration with other units in the organization, our partners in rainforest countries and other allies.

Applicants without specific knowledge on the drivers of deforestation within the responsibility of the position are also welcome to apply if they have other documented relevant experience and are personally suitable for the job.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead RFN’s work in a consortium project led by Transport & Environment, including the administrative follow-up like planning, monitoring, reporting, financial management, and collaboration with other RFN teams involved in the project.
• Assess RFN’s potential impact towards global target groups to reduce biofuel-driven deforestation
• Suggest goals and positions for the work within the scope of the position
• Develop and implement agreed advocacy plans
• Manage RFN’s expertise on biofuels-related deforestation, in collaboration with relevant country teams
• Contribute to other parts of the team’s work and RFN’s work in general.

Competencies and skills

• Demonstrated understanding of how global demand for biofuels drive deforestation
• General knowledge and understanding of the key commodities driving deforestation and forest degradation
• Analytical skills, to be able to assess where RFN may have an impact towards market-driven deforestation within the scope of the position
• Communication, collaboration and networking skills, for advocacy work toward national and international decision-makers, project management in the consortium, and co-operation with allied actors
• Project management skills, incl. financial management and planning/monitoring/reporting
• Demonstrated ability to use English as your work language. Knowledge of Norwegian, Bahasa Indonesia, Spanish and Portuguese is an asset.
• Personal traits: Systematic, creative, self-driven

Other abilities and personal strengths, incl. likelihood of quickly achieving the necessary knowledge and skills described above, may compensate for shortcomings in the competencies required. Personal suitability (personlig egnethet) will always be considered.

Experience from collaborative work in civil society organizations to influence policies and/or private sector on related issues is valued.

We can offer:

• An exciting, dynamic and meaningful job
• A working environment characterized by diversity, generosity, humour and highly skilled and motivated colleagues
• Salary according to agreement and good insurance and pension schemes
• Flexible working hours and freedom to design own work, incl personal development opportunities
• Offices in central Oslo

The position is a permanent, full-time position, at RFN’s office in central Oslo. Other placements can be considered. The position requires a valid work permit within Schengen. Annual salary according to RFN’s salary table is NOK 560 000-660 000, depending on relevant experience and qualifications.

Deadline for application is May 7, 2023.

Rainforest Foundation Norway supports indigenous peoples and traditional populations of the world’s rainforests in their efforts to protect their environment and secure their customary rights. RFN was established in 1989 and works alongside local environmental, Indigenous, and human rights organizations in the main rainforest countries in the Amazon region, Central Africa, Southeast Asia, and Oceania. RFN is an independent organization, and part of the international Rainforest Foundation network, with sister organizations in the United Kingdom and the USA.