Head of Forest Protection

<div class="content-intro"><p><strong>Company Description:</strong> Systemiq is the system change company, working to accelerate the transition to a net-zero, nature-positive and more inclusive economy. As a certified B Corp, we partner with business, finance, policymakers and civil society to transform five interconnected systems: energy, nature and food, materials and circularity, sustainable finance, and urban transformation.</p> <p data-start="2454" data-end="2786">We bring together strategy, policy, market design and capital mobilisation to deliver tangible results in the real economy. Founded in 2016, Systemiq has grown to a global team of more than 300 people across Brazil, France, Germany, Indonesia, Kenya, the Netherlands, the UK and the US, united by a singular focus on sustainability.</p> <p></p></div><p><strong>Systemiq is sharing an opportunity for a Head of Forest Protection &amp; Community Impact with a leading tropical forest restoration organisation operating in West Africa.</strong></p> <p><strong>Head of Forest Protection &amp; Community Impact</strong></p> <p><em>Ensuring long-term integrity of restored forest landscapes</em></p> <p><strong>Department:</strong> Permanence<br><strong>Reports to:</strong> CEO<br><strong>Location:</strong> Ghana (Accra or site-based: Bibiani / Dambai)<br><strong>Direct Reports:</strong> 2 (Social Performance Lead, Livelihoods Lead)<br><strong>Contract Type:</strong> Full-time, permanent<br><strong>Functional Team:</strong> ~50+ (Protection, ESG)</p> <p><strong>About the Organisation</strong></p> <p>The organisation is a large-scale tropical forest restoration company operating in West Africa, focused on restoring degraded, biodiverse ecosystems through long-term, community-centred projects.</p> <p>With operations across multiple countries, a workforce of 1,000+ employees, and thousands of hectares already restored, the organisation is scaling towards 100,000+ hectares under management.</p> <p>Projects are long-term and aligned with leading international standards (e.g. VERRA VCS, CCB), delivering measurable climate, biodiversity, and socioeconomic outcomes in partnership with global organisations and local communities.</p> <p><strong>The Role</strong></p> <p>This is a senior leadership role reporting to the CEO, responsible for ensuring that restored and protected forest areas remain secure and viable over the long term.</p> <p><strong>Forest Protection is the core focus of this role</strong>, requiring the design and leadership of large-scale, field-based protection operations. Alongside this, the role integrates community engagement and livelihood programmes to ensure sustainable, long-term outcomes.</p> <p>The successful candidate will bring a strong background in land or asset protection and have evolved into a broader operator, capable of working across protection, community engagement, and programme delivery.</p> <p>You will lead three integrated functions:</p> <ul> <li>Forest Protection</li> <li>Livelihood Restoration</li> <li>Social Performance</li> </ul> <p><strong>Key Responsibilities</strong></p> <p><strong>Forest Protection&nbsp;</strong></p> <ul> <li>Design and scale protection systems across all project sites</li> <li>Develop SOPs, patrol strategies, zoning, and incident response frameworks</li> <li>Lead and grow field protection teams (~50+, expanding significantly)</li> <li>Integrate GIS, satellite, and drone data into operational decision-making</li> <li>Ensure all protection activities align with the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights (VPSHR)</li> <li>Build strong working relationships with local authorities and community leaders</li> <li>Establish data-driven monitoring systems to track incidents and performance</li> <li>Continuously optimise cost-efficiency as protected areas scale</li> </ul> <p><strong>Livelihood Restoration</strong></p> <ul> <li>Lead programmes that reduce pressure on forest ecosystems</li> <li>Oversee agricultural intensification and related initiatives</li> <li>Design locally relevant livelihood interventions</li> <li>Align programmes with benefit-sharing frameworks</li> <li>Track and report socioeconomic impact</li> </ul> <p><strong>Social Performance</strong></p> <ul> <li>Oversee community engagement, safeguards, and benefit-sharing</li> <li>Ensure compliance with IFC Performance Standards</li> <li>Lead land access processes, including FPIC</li> <li>Manage social impact measurement and reporting</li> <li>Maintain strong relationships with community stakeholders</li> </ul> <p><strong>Security &amp; Human Rights (VPSHR)</strong></p> <ul> <li>Embed VPSHR principles across all protection operations</li> <li>Conduct risk assessments and define rules of engagement</li> <li>Oversee training, grievance mechanisms, and incident management</li> <li>Ensure transparent reporting to leadership and stakeholders</li> </ul> <p><strong>ESG Oversight</strong></p> <ul> <li>Provide oversight of ESG reporting via the Social Performance function</li> <li>Ensure alignment with investor and certification requirements</li> </ul> <p><strong>What Success Looks Like (12–18 Months)</strong></p> <ul> <li>A scalable, clearly defined forest protection system operating across all sites</li> <li>Strong SOPs, patrol models, and incident response frameworks in place</li> <li>A high-performing, disciplined protection team with clear leadership structure</li> <li>Measurable reduction in encroachment and illegal activity</li> <li>Strong, trust-based relationships with local communities and authorities</li> <li>Livelihood programmes demonstrably reducing pressure on forest areas</li> </ul> <p><strong>Candidate Profile</strong></p> <p><strong>Essential Experience</strong></p> <ul> <li>5+ years leading land or asset protection at scale (1,000+ hectares), ideally in sub-Saharan Africa</li> <li>Significant field-based operational experience</li> <li>Proven ability to lead and scale teams of 50+ personnel</li> <li>Experience implementing VPSHR-aligned protection approaches</li> <li>Working knowledge of IFC Performance Standards</li> <li>Ability to use spatial tools (GIS, satellite, drones) for operational decision-making</li> <li>Strong experience engaging with rural communities and local stakeholders</li> <li>Background in conservation, land use, or natural resource management</li> </ul> <p><strong>Ideal Background</strong></p> <ul> <li>Landscape-scale conservation (e.g. African Parks, WCS, park authorities)</li> <li>Large-scale agriculture, forestry, or plantation operations</li> <li>Extractive industries with strong ESG and community frameworks</li> </ul> <p><strong>Education</strong></p> <ul> <li>Degree in relevant field (e.g. conservation, environmental science, security, social sciences); advanced degree preferred</li> </ul> <p><strong>Languages</strong></p> <ul> <li>English required; French or West African languages advantageous</li> </ul> <p><strong>Personal Qualities</strong></p> <ul> <li>Strong operator with a bias for execution</li> <li>Comfortable working in remote, challenging environments</li> <li>Able to build systems and teams from the ground up</li> <li>Credible across field teams, communities, and senior stakeholders</li> <li>High integrity and commitment to human rights</li> <li>Motivated by long-term environmental impact</li> </ul> <p><strong>Location</strong></p> <p>Based in Ghana (Accra or project sites).<br>Frequent travel to remote field locations required.</p> <p><strong>How to Apply</strong></p> <p>Please submit a CV and brief cover note outlining relevant experience and motivation</p><div class="content-conclusion"><div id="description__body"></div> <p><strong data-start="578" data-end="603">Diversity &amp; Inclusion</strong><br data-start="603" data-end="606">At Systemiq, we absolutely believe diverse perspectives are essential to driving system change. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where people feel respected, supported and able to do their best work.</p> <p>Click&nbsp;<a href="https://www.systemiq.earth/privacy-policy/">here</a> to view our Data Policy.</p></div>