Senior Project Manager, Responsible Sourcing

Who are we?? 

Proforest is a mission-driven organisation that provides a consultancy service working throughout agricultural supply chains supporting the production and sourcing of agricultural and forest commodities that deliver positive environmental and social outcomes for People, Nature and Climate. These cover issues such as protecting and restoring forests and natural ecosystems, respecting worker’s rights, advancing gender equality, and engaging with communities and indigenous people.? 

Our Responsible Sourcing team is a global group of experts on environmental and human rights issues in agricultural and forestry supply chain. We work with companies such as Nestlé, PepsiCo, Mars, Unilever, and Cargill on their commodity supply chains including palm oil, sugar, soy, coconut, beef, and cocoa.  

What will you do? 

You’ll be working with like-minded sector experts within an international setting providing you with the opportunity to develop your knowledge further of relevant topics within responsible production and sourcing of agricultural commodities.  

You will work on multiple projects with our clients to deliver meaningful environmental and social positive outcomes in their supply chain and production base. For each project, you will be responsible for the day-to-day management of a global team of experts and working on a wide range of topics such as strategy and policy development, traceability, taking action with suppliers, and within landscape/collaborative spaces on topic of nature, people and climate. While working on these projects, you will extend your expertise, researching the current legislative context, stakeholder pressures and best practices, and gaining insights into our work with major industry collaboration groups. Critically, our multi-year engagements with clients will allow you to build strong relationships within these organisations and influence long term change.? 

What is your profile?? 

You will be self-motivated, driven by our mission and eager to learn. To be considered for the role you will also have: 

Essential: 

• A Masters level qualification (or above) in human rights, environmental related or international development, or similar
• Knowledge of agricultural supply chains issues, such as, workers’ rights, indigenous people and local communities rights, deforestation, regenerative agriculture, climate change, or smallholders livelihoods
• Professional experience in a similar consultancy or private sector role working in, or closely with, large corporate buyers and international agricultural commodity supply chains 
• Excellent time-management, problem-solving and organisational abilities, and a proven ability to deliver technical projects within set budget, timeline and quality standards
• The ability to contribute to strategic thinking on environmental and social issues including how to achieve impact and translation of decisions into operational workplans
• Experience of providing clear and competent analysis that it is relevant to clients
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to establish and maintain meaningful relationships with external clients from the private sector
• Experience of operating in a multi-cultural environment
• Be collaborative and act with integrity
• Training and/or experience of a specific human rights topic or group of vulnerable people (e.g. migrant workers, indigenous people) relevant to agricultural and forestry commodities. 

Desirable: 

• Some field work or volunteering experience outside of your home country
• Knowledge of Spanish, French, Portuguese, Bahasa, or Mandarin
• Experience working with one or more of the commodities we work with most; Palm oil, sugar, soy, coconut, beef or cocoa.

Why should you work for us?? 

• 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
• 25 days plus public holidays (with an extra 2 days the following year should you take your well earnt holiday within the year)? 
• 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? 
• Free fruit, tea and coffee in the office 
• Pension contribution (up to 8%), life insurance and income protection insurance 
• We organise regular in-person team gatherings, regional and international knowledge exchanges and social events. 

Key information? 

Location: Oxford or Leiden? 

Salary: £37,500 - £43,000 in Oxford or €42,500 - €48,000 in Leiden 

Working hours: full time 

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 such as part time working.? 

Deadline for applications: 28th of October. 

To apply for the Oxford office click here

To apply for the Leiden office click here

Interview process: First interviews are due to take place on the 5th and 6th of November. Second interviews are due to take place on the 12th of November.

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