Programme Manager Environmental & Social Integrity (ESI) (m-f-d)

The Scope

The Mission – Lead the Future of Forests

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is the world’s most trusted and recognized solution for sustainable forest management. For more than 30 years, FSC has set the global benchmark for responsible forestry — ensuring that forests are managed in ways that protect biodiversity, respect Indigenous and community rights, and create long-term economic value. Our vision is bold and clear: a world where forests are valued, conserved, and restored — where communities thrive, biodiversity flourishes, and forests are protected for generations to come. In short: Forests for All, Forever.

The Role

As a Programme Manager Environmental & Social Integrity (m-f-d), you have a key role to strengthen the integrity and credibility of FSC by identifying, analysing, and addressing risks related to environmental protection, social rights – including for example workers, customary and human rights - and maintain overview of certification quality in related subject matter across multiple regions and contexts. This requires working together with the different teams in the System Integrity Unit involving environmental and social integrity of FSC certification.

You will lead the design and implement respective strategic and operational interventions; and to provide leadership and mentorship to a growing team of experts and professionals, grounded in FSC’s values and behaviours.

Main Roles & Responsibilities

• Lead the Environmental and Social Integrity (ESI) team by setting objectives, managing workplans, budgets, and strategic priorities aligned with the System Integrity strategy.
• Manages and decides on functional issues of the team and topics related to environmental and social integrity in certification with Unit’s leadership involvement required for certain decisions.
• Develops operations, internal procedures and requirements for the following tasks of the team, including but not limited to:
  • Lead and oversee environmental and social integrity investigations, including complaints, blockage cases, and Remedy and Association cases, ensuring compliance with FSC requirements, legal obligations, and established procedures.
  • Provide technical leadership and quality assurance by guiding the ESI team and SIU colleagues, reviewing investigation outcomes, and developing practical, evidence-based recommendations.
  • Strengthen operational excellence by ensuring effective case management, accurate record keeping, and continuous improvement of procedures, standards, and ways of working.
• Supports cross-programme integrity working the System Integrity Unit, including supporting other programmes with analysis of complex social and environmental inquiries, cases and complaints, providing input to the internal FSC steering committee meetings.
• Further develops the scope and offer of the Programme.
• Assesses existing risks related to environmental matters and provides expert inputs(e.g.HCVs, IFLs, legality of wood) and social matters (e.g.human rights,land tenure rights, customary rights, Indigenous Peoples’ rights).
• Oversees and manages incident driven investigations and high-profile integrity cases requiring engagement with internal teams, Network Partners, certificate holders, certification bodies ,NGOs, other national and international organizations, as needed.
• Oversees and contributes to communication processes, including crisis communication and stakeholder inquiries related to environmental and social integrity.
• Serves as the primary leadership contact for environmental and social integrity concerns.
• Presents environmental and social integrity work at external expert forums.
• Delivers progress reports to the Board of Directors and prepares items for decision as appropriate.
• Initiates relevant normative changes and provides input into technical improvements on FSC tools and platforms developed to enhance environmental and social integrity of certification(e.g.GIS tools,trainingsfor certification bodies), in collaboration with other FSC programmes.

Your profile

• University degree or equivalent training or experience in a relevant field, for example, natural resource management, forestry, social studies, anthropology, human rights, stakeholder management or similar.
• At least 5 years of professional combined experience in environmental and social areas. For example, a combination of the following areas: environmental and social & human rights protection, law, environmental policy, certification, accreditation, auditing, forest management, natural resource management.
• Demonstrated expertise and practical experience in engaging with environmental and social stakeholder interests, including labour rights, workers’ rights, community rights, and Indigenous Peoples’ rights.
• Experience managing conflict-sensitive communication and engaging constructively with diverse stakeholder groups in complex or sensitive situations.
• Familiarity with FSC certification, other sustainability certification schemes, or accreditation systems and processes.
• Proven project management experience, including planning, budgeting, financial administration, and resource management.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver high-quality results in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to make sound, evidence-based decisions.
• Ability to analyse complex information, identify systemic risks and root causes, and develop practical corrective actions and recommendations.
• Proven ability to remain effective under pressure, navigate crisis situations, and manage competing stakeholder interests with professionalism and sound judgement.
• Strong facilitation and communication skills, with the ability to lead interactive discussions, workshops, and stakeholder meetings.
• Proven leadership experience, including leading cross-functional teams, managing diverse groups, and influencing stakeholders without direct authority.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Fluency in English (written and spoken) is required. Proficiency in additional languages is considered an asset.

Why us?

• Benefit from cross-cultural collaboration and networking opportunities by being part of FSC global community of 400+ forest stewards
• Benefit from work-life balance with our hybrid working structure
• 30 vacation days yearly
• Regional transportation ticket
• Celebrate together festivals from different cultures
• Once a year in-person get together with the global FSC staff

The Fine Print

• Location: Bonn, Germany.
• Working Hours: Full time - 40 hours per week.
• Duration of Employment: Temporary contract - 2 years (extension possible, subject to satisfactory performance)
• Starting Date: As soon as possible.
• Travel: Sporadic (international) travel is required.

How to Apply
Ready to make a difference? Join FSC and help shape a sustainable future. Don't delay - apply now!

• Please submit your CV in English
• Please do not send any photos of yourself

For FSC, inclusiveness and diversity are important values. As such, we welcome and encourage applications from all backgrounds and are entirely committed to consider all qualified applicants regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, age and disability.

We are looking forward to your application!

About us

Welcome to FSC!

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is a globally recognized non-profit organization at the forefront of promoting sustainable forestry. With over 150 million hectares of certified forests and a trusted reputation among NGOs, consumers, and businesses, FSC is leading the way in ensuring the long-term health and resilience of the world’s forests.