HR Lead

This is an exciting opportunity for a well-established HR professional who wants to work in a growing, mission-driven organisation and join a global collaborative team that is working at the forefront of responsible sourcing and production of agricultural commodities around the world.  

Proforest is a mission-driven organisation with a 20+ year track record of supporting the transition to sustainable production and sourcing of agricultural and forest commodities. We are a not-for-profit group with a global presence across Latin America, Africa, Europe and Southeast Asia, and work with governments, the private sector and civil society to deliver positive outcomes for people, nature and climate in the places agricultural commodities are produced.  

About the role

We are looking for a strategic human resources professional to lead our human resources team, advising senior leadership, developing our systems and approaches and supporting the maintenance of our company culture as well as managing the rest of the HR team. You’ll have the opportunity to help shape the European HR strategy and play a coordination and support role globally.  Importantly, you’ll play a central role in helping us to navigate our organisational growth.

Key responsibilities include: 

Europe

• Oversee the Europe People Strategy including recruitment, onboarding, engagement, talent management, performance management, employee relations and reward
• Work with the Talent Acquisition Manager to define recruitment and talent strategy
• Provide strategic oversight to the Europe HR team ensuring plans align with organisation priorities
• Build capability of the HR team and line managers to effectively support staff
• Lead on talent management ensuring consistent talent identification and active talent development
• Develop and maintain HR policies, procedures and systems, ensuring compliance
• Drive initiatives to foster company culture and enhance employee engagement and retention
• Act as a point of escalation for the HR team for more complex issues
• Line management of one HR team member.

Global

• Coordinate development of global HR policies and ensure consistency in HR practices
• Co-ordinate global HR working group calls to align on global priorities and collaborate on global solutions and initiatives
• Promote company culture and foster employment engagement including delivering annual engagement survey process and monitoring the impact of employee engagement plan
• Provide subject matter expertise in relevant HR areas.

About you

You’ll be passionate about what we do and, you’ll thrive in an evolving, growing organisation and be excited to take on new challenges. You will also have:

Essential:

• Experience in a leadership role along with experience in line management development, talent management, employee relations, employee engagement and reward
• In-depth knowledge about employment law and good practice in Europe
• Strategic understanding of building people strategy and best practice in a decentralised global organisation
• Track record of developing and implementing HR strategies, policies and systems that deliver positive business impacts
• Belief in our mission and the ability to think creatively
• Excellent leadership and people skills with a resilient, facilitative and pragmatic approach and the ability to offer solution-oriented HR advice
• Excellent and adaptable communication skills and techniques with ability to build and deepen collaborative relationships with key stakeholders and to influence at all levels and across cultures and geographies
• Fluency in English is important to work across all of our operating regions, and Spanish, would be beneficial.

Desirable:

• CIPD level 7 qualified or equivalent
• Experience working in a consultancy style business
• Experience working in a global organisation
• Knowledge of employment law outside of Europe (e.g South America, Africa, South-East Asia).

Why should you work for us? 

This role will give you the opportunity to be part of a global organisation with a shared vision, working in offices across 8 countries with staff from more than 17 countries, speaking more than 40 languages. We also provide a competitive benefits package:

• We offer 25 days plus public holidays (with an extra 2 days the following year should you take your well earnt holiday within the year) 
• We contribute to your pension (up to 8%) 
• We support learning and development with a dedicated team to help you achieve your goals; we provide access to training for knowledge and competency skills 
• Life insurance and income protection insurance 
• We organize regular in-person team gatherings, regional and international knowledge exchanges and social events. 

Key information?????

Location: Oxford

Salary: £60,000-£68,000 per annum depending on skills and experience

Closing date: 6th of May

Working hours: Full time (Monday to Friday), we will consider applications from those wishing to work 4 days per week.

Hybrid working: Proforest operates on a hybrid basis. We encourage staff to attend the office to maximise interactions with colleagues and encourage collaboration but also appreciate individual circumstances and preferences. We ask that you attend the office at minimum of twice a week and are happy to explore flexible working options.

We are committed to supporting diversity throughout Proforest globally, ensuring an inclusive environment where all individuals can thrive and therefore welcome applications from all.