Proforest Graduate Trainee Programme
Proforest is seeking a motivated, flexible and qualified recent graduate with some practical experience and with a high potential to quickly develop the skills required for taking on a leading role in our work supporting multi-stakeholder initiatives (MSI). This is an exciting opportunity to join Proforest’s growing team and take on substantial responsibilities under the supervision of sector experts.
Develop excellence in Multi-stakeholder Process support
Are you ready to take on the world’s environmental and social sustainability issues? Are you prepared to learn from all stakeholders (e.g. private sector, NGOs, government) and affected parties and facilitate consensus building processes? Are you interested in being part of the development of international standards and voluntary commitments for the sustainable production and sourcing of commodities?
About Proforest
Proforest is a not-for-profit, mission-driven organization that works with the leading international Voluntary Standard Schemes (VSS) such as the Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), the Roundtable on Responsible Soy (RTRS) or Bonsucro; many wider multi-stakeholder processes, such as the Tropical Forest Alliance Africa Palm Oil Programme (TFA APOI); large and small-scale producers and major international brands, retailers and consumer goods clients, as well as governments, civil society organizations and NGOs, throughout agricultural and forest product supply chains. We are an established world leader in the development and implementation of sustainable production and responsible sourcing with a global presence and have facilitated the development of several critical international voluntary sustainability standards.
Programme overview
Our Graduate Trainee Programme develops leaders to ensure our continued success as well as the success of our partners and clients. It will give you a thorough induction into various topics that are essential in the field of MSI support, such as standard, scheme and strategy development, multi-stakeholder process facilitation, development of technical documents, potentially field assessments and a pathway to also train on MSI and related topics and many more.
What makes our Graduate Trainee Programme so special is the fact you will be taking on substantial responsibilities under supervision of sector experts in an international setting, enabling you to tackle challenges at a global scale, rapidly build up an international network, and prepare you in the best possible way for cooperation with our overseas colleagues, partners and clients.
What can you expect
Over a period of 12 months, you will get the exposure you would expect from a global leader, experienced mentors and supportive colleagues. You will find yourself supporting senior consultants on a range of exciting projects and you will be able to acquire professional, methodological and technical skills, on the basis of which you will subsequently be able to assume a position of responsibility at Proforest. On successful completion of our Graduate Trainee Programme, you will be offered a permanent position as Project Manager.
Do you have what we need?
We expect all our Graduate Trainees to have
• An above average qualification (Masters or equivalent) in a relevant discipline (e.g. sustainable production and sourcing, natural resources management, social sciences, economics, etc.)
• Approximately 1-2 years of professional work experience
• A proven interest in environmental and social sustainability issues, ideally in forest products or agricultural commodities sectors
• Awareness of the motivations and drivers relating to sustainable sourcing and responsible production in international agricultural and forest product supply chains
• Knowledge of social issues (labour/land rights, etc.) and/or conservation and land use would be a strong advantage
• Highly developed organisational and interpersonal skills as well as the ability to operate in a multi-cultural environment
• Excellent verbal & written communication skills, including presentation skills.
• Some initial experience in working with various stakeholders including large companies, small and medium enterprises, NGOs, financing institutions, government aid agencies, smallholders or local communities;
• Working knowledge of another language (especially French, Spanish, Portuguese or Bahasa) would be a strong advantage.
Other terms and conditions
Location: Oxford, UK
Salary: £23,000
Closing date: 25th February 2020
To apply please send your CV, a cover letter and confirmation that you are eligible to work in the UK to personnel@proforest.net
Proforest is an equal opportunity employer.
