Proforest works to transform agricultural commodity supply chains, supporting producers to enhance positive outcomes and to address environmental and social issues. This includes tackling deforestation and ecosystem conversion, developing regenerative agriculture, supporting improved livelihoods and land rights and working in landscape initiatives. These interventions strongly intersect with climate mitigation and adaptation, and therefore with corporate climate targets. Proforest is seeking to integrate our work more strongly with climate, and so we are looking for someone with a strong background in the climate sector to join our team.

About the role

In this dynamic and exciting new opportunity you’ll be tasked with providing practical technical expertise and knowledge to a range of consulting and collaboration projects across Asia, Africa, Latin America, Europe and North America on how to link work on deforestation- and conversion-free (DCF) production, regenerative agriculture, and landscape initiatives as well as issues around rights, livelihoods and equity to corporate climate commitments.

This includes how these interventions can be counted towards climate targets, as well as how Forest Land and Agriculture (FLAG) and Land Use Change (LUC) emissions can inform further action to take. You will work with colleagues to support companies in the meaningful implementation of responsible sourcing, including actions within and beyond supply chains to address land use change and land management emissions as part of a just climate transition that supports smallholders in supply chains. Furthermore, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute to strategic thinking on technical requirements set out in policy and voluntary standards. 

Key responsibilities: 

• Act as climate expert within the organization, working within and across projects and programmes to integrate climate approaches into the delivery of Proforest’s tools and guidance
• Maintain knowledge of the evolving climate and nature space, in particular in relation to existing and new standards, reporting or target-setting frameworks (GHGP, SBTi, TCFD, SBTN, AFi, etc) and legislation, as well as carbon markets
• Actively contribute to the development of Proforest’s approaches, tools and communication related to linking DCF, landscape, and regenerative agriculture work to climate commitments and goals
• Support and deliver training and capacity building on key topics and practices
• Represent Proforest in relevant external working groups (e.g. with SBTi partners, Accountability Framework), international meetings and forums.

This role will include active delivery of projects and/or workstreams for Proforest clients, supported by a team of experts.

About you

Passionate about climate change and our mission you will have the aptitude and desire to work in a diverse, multi-cultural and fast-paced environment. To be considered for the role you will also have:

Essential:

• Excellent written and spoken English with the ability to draft proposals, reports and presentations 
• Commitment to continuous self-development with the ability to act upon feedback 
• Applied experience of the development and implementation of SBTi FLAG guidance and the GHG Protocol for the land and agriculture sector 
• Relevant master’s level qualification (or equivalent)  
• Knowledge of climate and nature issues in agricultural production and supply chains  
• Knowledge of the relevant international frameworks, conventions, guidelines, and voluntary standards / certification schemes designed to address climate issues relevant to agricultural commodity production
• Be willing to travel for training, field work and meetings.

Desirable:

• Knowledge of mandatory legislation on climate reporting and target setting, aligned with global and national goals 
• Knowledge on traceability requirements for GHG emission and removal accounting  
• Knowledge on voluntary carbon markets, specifically carbon credits generated in the FLAG sector   
• Fluency in another relevant language: Portuguese, Spanish, French, Bahasa Indonesia, Bahasa Malay, Mandarin 
• Experience of working within multi-stakeholder processes and/or facilitation of meetings and collaborative processes (for ex. the GHG Protocol Land Sector and Removals Guidance Technical WG) 
• Knowledge and/or experience of the production practices of at least one of the commodities Proforest works on (palm oil, beef, soy, cocoa, sugar) 
• Relevant professional experience: in a similar consultancy role, sustainability initiative, private sector, or delivery-focused NGO working in, or closely with, large corporate buyers and international agricultural commodity supply chains
• Experience and skills at developing and delivering training – on-line and/or in-person.

We are open to applications from those with varying experience levels so long as you have the knowledge and desire to contribute within this field of work.

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, UK OR Leiden, Netherlands 

Salary: Dependent on location along with your skills and experience.

Closing date: 22nd of November (please note we may close the advert earlier should we find our chosen candidate and therefore encourage you to apply at your earliest convenience to avoid disappointment). We are looking to conduct first interviews w/c 27th of November.

Working hours: Full time (Monday to Friday)

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.