Company Profile

Proforest is a non-profit organisation with a global presence. Our head office is in the UK with regional offices in Malaysia, Indonesia, Ghana, Columbia, 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 etc), helping companies, governments, non-governmental and civil society organisations to achieve sustainable use of the world’s natural resources. 

Proforest provides practical support to producers, processors, purchasers and investors to help them meet their sustainability commitments. 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 arm (Proforest Initiative Africa) which focuses on long-term support for small producers and wider capacity building, particularly in developing countries and a consultancy arm (Proforest Limited) which provides direct support and services to the private sector companies

Job Description

Proforest Africa Office in Ghana is seeking an experienced natural resource practitioner to join our growing team based in Accra, Ghana and to deliver both programme and consultancy services within the Africa region.

Proforest Programmes and Consultancy Services
Proforest’s programmes create the enabling environment and build the capacity required for the private sector, working with governments and civil society, to deliver agriculture and forest commodities sustainably at scale. Proforest has provided consultancy services to help companies meet their environmental and social commitments – from zero deforestation to protecting workers’ rights – for over 17 years. But large-scale impact can only be achieved if localised efforts to improve agricultural and forestry practices are supported by wider changes needed to make sustainable practices the norm.

Our programmes support this broader transformational change. We build the enabling environment and address key barriers to better practices among the private sector, governments and civil society. We foster awareness of the issues, build capacity and promote local leadership of sustainability initiatives.

Our consultancy services provide 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. 

Position line manager
You will be responsible and report to the Africa Regional Director or his representative. 

Position summary 
The position is an exciting opportunity to join the Proforest’s team and to support in the development and the delivery of our natural resource programmes and consultancy services in Africa. The position holder is expected to be based in Accra, Ghana supporting the implementation of Proforest’s programmes and consultancy services to private sector companies and public sector institutions in the region. The position requires both local and international travels including trips to fairly remote locations.

Main Responsibilities
The main responsibilities include:

• Provide management and technical support to the implementation of current and future Proforest programmes in the region including:
• Contribute to the development of the relevant Proforest’s consultancy services, including involvement in activities such as planning, business development and monitoring of progress.
• Manage and deliver projects (consultancy services for clients) and support in the delivery of programmes. This includes proposal writing, project inception, budgeting and reporting
• Contribute to Proforest’s leadership on development and implementation of policies on sustainable natural resources management, through sustainability standards and certification schemes in Africa 
• Maintain a clear understanding of the current policy and framework direction relating to the responsible production and sourcing of forest products and agricultural commodities in Africa
• Lead or support the planning, preparation and delivery of training and capacity building measures for relevant stakeholders and clients in the region
• Occasional work as required on other related projects especially in relation to sustainability standards and certification schemes, training and capacity building
• Contribute to the broader functioning of the Proforest’s team, including support for the planning and delivery of other services.
• Support the development and implementation of strategic and operational plans

Other Duties and Responsibilities
The position holder will carry out other tasks that may be assigned by the Proforest Director or his/her representative as may be required.

Other responsibilities associated with this will include the following:

• Where required, represent Proforest in relevant regional, sub-regional, international and other meetings and forums on natural resources management and governance; and
• Remain abreast with natural resources and agricultural commodities production and their related issues in the Africa region.
• Provide inputs and contribute to the Proforest regional-wide programme development for sustainable forestry and  agricultural commodities production in Africa
• Participate in relevant regional, sub-regional, international and other relevant meetings and forums on forestry, agricultural commodity and sustainable development.
• Assist the regional office in a programme wide monitoring and evaluation and information sharing on Proforest work in the region.
• Monitor technical information, policy development, issues and trends in the Africa region to inform the direction of Proforest’s programmes in the region.

Salary
Annual salary of GHC 108,000 to GHC 132,000 depending on qualification and experience 

Required Skills or Experience

• Tertiary level (masters or equivalent) qualification in a relevant discipline (e.g. forestry or agriculture, conservation ecology, anthropology, rural development, geography, environmental science or economics). 
• At least 7 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) or socioeconomic or cultural studies including participatory mapping. 
• A demonstrable understanding of environmental and social sustainability issues affecting the forestry and agricultural commodity sectors, and experience in working with industry, civil society organisations and governments. 
• 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 
• Significant experience-based skills in planning, securing and managing funds from institutional donors and sound understanding of institutional and government donors, and funding policies 
• Excellent written and communication skills in English
• Excellent report writing skills 

Highly desirable skills

• Excellent leadership skills, finding ways to motivate employees while attempting to keep morale high and turnover low.
• Practical experience in working with forestry and/or agricultural commodities production and supply chains in Africa
• Knowledge and practical experience related to sustainability standards, auditing and certification in the schemes in the context of natural resources management (forestry, agriculture, etc.)