Disputes Manager
Forest Stewardship Council™
full-time
Posted on:
Location Type: Hybrid
Location: Bonn • Germany
Visit company websiteExplore more
About the role
- Navigate sensitive disputes involving environmental and human rights
- Balance competing stakeholder perspectives with fairness and professionalism
- Strengthen FSC’s complaints and dispute resolution systems
- Contribute to continuous improvement of FSC policies and procedures
- Manage dispute cases under FSC’s Policy for Association, including initial assessments, investigations, stakeholder engagement, communications, and decision-making processes.
- Oversee FSC’s complaints mechanism, ensuring alignment with FSC’s normative framework and internationally recognized standards.
- Handle General Complaints and Appeals as assigned.
- Analyze dispute cases to identify systemic gaps and contribute to policy and procedural improvements.
- Conduct stakeholder mapping and support inclusive, respectful engagement processes.
- Manage and further develop tools for dispute handling, such as risk screening and case tracking systems.
- Collaborate closely with internal experts and external partners to resolve disputes and strengthen system integrity.
- Prepare clear, well-structured reports, briefings, and recommendations to support leadership decision-making.
- Contribute to additional projects and initiatives within Case Management as needed.
Requirements
- University degree or equivalent experience in law, environmental governance, dispute resolution, human or environmental rights, international relations, or a related field.
- At least 5 years of relevant professional experience.
- Proven experience managing complaints and disputes, particularly related to forest management and conversion, human, Indigenous, and customary rights, workers’ rights and vulnerable groups, illegal trade or high-risk supply chains.
- Strong stakeholder management skills in high-pressure or sensitive contexts.
- Knowledge of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
- Experience designing, managing, or improving procedures and workstreams.
- Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities with accuracy and diligence.
- Project management experience and a results-oriented mindset.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Fluency in English (spoken and written).
- Spanish and/or French are a strong asset.
Benefits
- 30 days of annual leave
- Flexible work arrangements
- Professional development opportunities
- Relocation support available, if applicable
Applicant Tracking System Keywords
Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.
Hard Skills & Tools
dispute resolutionstakeholder engagementpolicy analysisrisk screeningcase trackingcomplaints managementenvironmental governancehuman rightsinternational relationsproject management
Soft Skills
stakeholder managementanalytical skillsorganizational skillsproblem-solving skillscommunication skillsprofessionalismcollaborationresults-oriented mindsetability to manage multiple prioritiesrespectful engagement
Certifications
university degree in lawuniversity degree in environmental governanceuniversity degree in dispute resolutionuniversity degree in human rightsuniversity degree in international relations