Project Manager

Project Manager

Proforest is seeking two new people to join its international team to work on a range of international projects and programmes supporting sustainable agriculture and forestry around the world.

About Proforest

Proforest is a non profit organisation with a global presence. We are based in the UK with regional offices in Malaysia, Ghana and Brazil. Proforest has established itself as a leader in the development and implementation of sustainable production and sourcing of natural resources, including timber and a range of agricultural commodities (eg palm oil, soy, sugar), helping companies, government departments, non-governmental and civil society organisations to achieve the sustainable use of the world’s natural resources.

Proforest provides practical support to producers, processors, purchasers and investors to help them work in environmentally and socially responsible ways. As demand for sustainably sourced commodities increases, producers, processors, purchasers and investors in natural resources all need to demonstrate that they are meeting commitments to environmental and social responsibility. This is a complex task in a challenging commercial environment. We work at every stage of the supply chain, from production and processing, through to purchasing and investment. Our experience covers the management of forests, oil palm, soy, sugarcane, rubber, beef and cotton at a range of scales that includes smallholders, communities and forest-dependent people through to multinational businesses.

Proforest is made up of a non-profit (charitable) arm which focuses on long-term support for small producers and wider capacity building, particularly in developing countries and a consultancy arm which provides direct support to the private sector. All staff work for both parts of the organisation.

Position summary

This position is an exciting opportunity to join the Proforest team and develop your skills and experience, working closely with senior project and programme managers to support implementation. As you gain experience demonstrate competence you will be able to take an ever increasing role with the potential to become a more senior member of the international team over time. This will be supported by our internal development programme which provides a combination of formal training courses and supervised field experience. The role is likely to involve international travel, including to fairly remote locations in developing countries.

The work will include the facilitation of standards setting processes, advising clients on responsible supply chain management and procurement policies, field audits of crops such as palm oil, soy and sugar, supporting implementation of requirements for legal timber sourcing (FLEGT) and biofuels (EU RED), international policy development  (REDD+), preparation of technical guidance and outreach material and training. There is a mixture of desk-based work on analysis, administration, proposal and report writing and field work.

Based in Oxford, UK, the post will involve participating in a broad range of work and will require international travel.

Responsibilities

• Support Proforest staff to manage and deliver projects for clients and programmes for donors. This will include proposal writing, project inception, budgeting, technical work and reporting
• Contribute to the development of relevant Proforest service areas, including in

some cases involvement in activities such as planning, business development and monitoring of

progress against objectives

• Maintain a clear understanding of the current policy and strategic factors relating to the

responsible sourcing of forest products and agricultural commodities

• Occasional work as required on other related projects especially in relation to sustainability

standards and certification schemes

• Contribute to the broader functioning of the Proforest team, including participation in support for

the planning and delivery of other services

Qualifications, Experience, Qualities

Essential Qualifications, Experience, Skills:

• Tertiary level (masters or equivalent) qualification in a relevant discipline (e.g. forestry or agriculture, conservation ecology, anthropology, rural development, geography, environmental economics).
• At least one years experience working in the field of biodiversity conservation and land use management (e.g. field-based ecology & biodiversity assessments; species, habitat or ecosystem service management; socioeconomic or cultural studies including participatory mapping).
• A demonstrated understanding of environmental and social sustainability issues affecting the forestry  and agricultural commodity sectors, and experience in working with industry.
• Project management skills (including excellent time-management, problem-solving and organisational abilities)
• Highly developed interpersonal and team working skills, as well as proven ability to operate in a multi-cultural environment
• Excellent verbal & written communication skills

Highly desirable:

• Fluency in a second language (particularly Spanish, Portuguese or French)
• Experience and/or knowledge of sustainability standards auditing, and certification, in the context of natural resource management(e.g. RSPO, FSC, RTRS, mining standards, IFC’s Performance Standards and REDD+).
• Experience related to working in natural or plantation forest management and/or agricultural commodity production systems, especially Oil Palm, Sugar, Cocoa and Soy.
• Experience  in HCV assessment and management for agricultural and forestry production systems.
• Knowledge of GIS and remote sensing techniques.

Salary:  GBP 20,000 - 25,000

To apply

Send your CV, a cover letter,no longer than two pages each. Confirmation that you are eligible to work in the UK to personnel@proforest.net

Application Deadline: Mon 20 Jan 2014

Shortlisted candidates will be contacted by Mon 27 Jan 2014

Proforest is an equal opportunity employer.