Liberia Timber Trade Advisor (Monrovia, Liberia)

Location: Liberia

Management Engineering Technologies International Inc. (METI), in support of the US Forest Service Office of International Programs (USFS/IP), is seeking to recruit a full-time Liberia Timber Trade Advisor to support in-country implementation of a new anti-timber trafficking program.

Background

In recognition of the serious threats posed to people and the environment by the illegal harvest and trafficking of timber, Liberia has enacted high-level policies to curtail the flow of illegal timber from their territories (e.g., engagement under the voluntary partnership agreement with the EU). However, despite these political commitments, evidence points to a continued, healthy, volume of timber trafficked through and out of Liberia. In addition to being illegal, the level of harvest of targeted high-value species, is highly unsustainable, and negatively impacts local communities who depend on the forests and intact ecosystems, for their livelihoods.

As part of the response to address timber trafficking in Liberia, the USFS has been requested to provide technical and logistical support to strengthen the capacity of in-country stakeholders to achieve their policy objectives. In partnership with national government and non-governmental actors, the USFS will implement activities in Liberia focused on the following objectives:

1. Increased capacity of government agencies to address cross-border and export-focused timber trafficking
2. Strengthened ability of Liberian Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to implement robust 3^rd party monitoring of timber harvest and trade
3. Enhanced wood identification methodologies and resources - allowing for improved field-based identification and documentation of illegal timber

• Implements, in coordination with other USFS staff, an ambitious two-year annual work program of capacity building to combat illegal timber harvest and trafficking, in collaboration with in-country partners and stakeholders and other U.S. government agencies;
• Facilitates the scheduling, planning, and roll out of timber trade projects including training, extension, and M&E initiatives;
• Assists the USFS Liberia Country Coordinator to schedule and coordinate project activities, including organizing necessary workshops, trainings and meeting logistics;
• Monitors projects to ensure they meet milestones and goals per their scope, timeline, and budget;
• Communicates and collaborates regularly with Liberian agencies responsible for customs, natural resource law enforcement, and forest management to share expertise on policies and contribute to organizational improvement;
• Ensures the design of USFS programming takes into account political and cultural aspects that are unique to the host-country contexts;
• Identifies and develops strategic partnerships with national and international corporations, development organizations and non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) involved in border control and natural resources management or complimentary work;
• Ensures that timber crime program activities, processes, and community adhere to Liberian laws and organizational policies;
• Provides technical assistance updates on timber trafficking law enforcement and related issues to USFS, donors and implementing partners;
• Leads organization and implementation of project wood sampling activities;
• Produce policy briefs and best practice cases for combating illegal timber extraction;
• Produce and share key lessons and learning products on combating timber trafficking;
• Participate in policy dialogues involving government, private sector, civil society and traditional authorities on prevention of illegal timber logging;
• Carry out other relevant duties determined as priorities for successful program implementation.

• Hold a Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in law enforcement, customs, environmental sciences, forestry, sustainable development, or related field;
• Five years professional experience in project, financial and staff management in logistics/trade, forestry, natural resource management or related field;
• Ability to work in a dynamic environment with in-country and U.S. government agencies, international donors, NGOs, community groups, and other stakeholders;
• Experience working with key government partners in Liberia (e.g. Forestry Development Authority, Customs) strongly preferred;
• Working knowledge of customs and/or forestry sectors, including timber tree species, policies, procedures and challenges to address timber trafficking in Liberia;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English;
• Demonstrated experience delivering successful planning and scheduling in complex environment with many demands and deadlines;
• Competent computer skills including Microsoft Office, database management and communications software.