Are you passionate about working on environmental and social issues? Are you an experienced trainer, team leader and strong communicator who can think strategically about how capacity building, tools and training can further a mission-driven organisation?  

This is an exciting opportunity to join a global team and use a broad range of skills in a dynamic and technical organisation that is working at the forefront of responsible sourcing and production of agricultural commodities around the world.  

You will lead Proforest’s training strategy while providing hands-on delivery, encompassing internal training for staff development and external training, delivered in various format.  

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.  

Our clients are well-known consumer brands, such as Nestlé, PepsiCo, Mars and Unilever and some of the world’s largest traders and integrated producers including Cargill, Olam, Wilmar and Cofco. We combine our consultancy work with longer-term programmes supported by institutional funders, with all profits re-invested in delivering our mission. 

Training at Proforest 

Training and capacity building is a key pillar in Proforest’s work to deliver on our mission. To achieve positive environmental and social impacts, people at all levels of companies, government and civil society need to understand the challenges of responsible sourcing and production. Once they are aware of the problems and opportunities, they can make meaningful commitments to change. 

Proforest has a long track-record and good reputation for training within the sustainability sector: 

• Public courses, including endorsed courses for certification schemes and sustainability initiatives (e.g. RSPO or HCV) 
• Grant-funded capacity building, including mentoring programmes, with both classroom and field-based components, for governments, companies and civil society 
• Client-specific courses at both production and supply chain level  
• Internal training and career development programme for Proforest staff (technical and professional skills) 
• Internal and external eLearning courses delivered through Proforest Academy.

About the role

We are looking for a strategic training lead who can help to support the development and deployment of our training and capacity development, working with regional directors and training delivery leads.  

Firstly, in conjunction with HR, focus on delivery of a staff training process, including a technical skills programme, which has been developed as part of a global professional development programme, which will be maternity leave cover.  

Secondly, in parallel, to develop a clear training strategy, including how to extend the reach of our portfolio of external training, overseeing making our materials more accessible, systematic and integrated, and overseeing the quality of the training we provide, in all formats. 

 Responsibilities include: 

• Develop a global training strategy in close collaboration with the regional directors 
• Manage the eLearning team and strategy for development of internal and external online courses 
• Apply pedagogical theory to support staff in both content production and delivery, including a new programme of Induction Weeks for new starters 
• Support on specific training requests, aligned to a client or a technical topic, guiding teams on content and format to meet requirements 
• Support a global capacity building training programme for our Responsible Sourcing teams, including training on fundraising and proposal development 
• Maintain an overview of all internal and external training across the organisation, managing core content to identify and enable re-use and re-purposing   
• Provide quality control on training material, especially external training 
• Develop a robust M&E system for our training activities 
• Have oversight of the global training budget, income and resources (managed by region)
• Work with the communications team to promote training to relevant audiences.

About you

You’ll be passionate about what we do and ideally be a former practitioner or trainer who is looking for a more strategic role in a global organisation. We are looking for the following skills and experience: 

• Experience in developing a multi-faceted training strategy and supporting the hands-on delivery of that strategy  
• Knowledge and interest in sustainability including environmental and social issues; knowledge within responsible sourcing and responsible production in agricultural commodities would be advantageous 
• Solid experience in designing and delivering training or teaching including use of different media 
• Experience of managing a global training programme and team 
• Strong understanding of how training needs to be adapted to different audiences, including corporate, government, NGO, technical experts and civil society participants 
• Experience with in-person and online training and use of technology to augment or enhance training 
• Experience of working within the sustainability sector would be beneficial but not essential 
• Fluent in English. Knowledge of Spanish, Portuguese, Indonesian Bahasa, French or Chinese is a benefit.

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: 28th of November

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.