Company Description

We’re looking for an experienced fundraiser to take our UK charity, the Proforest Initiative, to a new scale. This is an opportunity to step into a new role, consolidate existing responsibilities, and build on the wider activities of the Proforest group. This requires someone who is comfortable shaping their own work while being collaborative, able to listen and willing to learn. We need someone who has experience and knowledge of international fundraising, preferably in sustainability, environment or human rights, as well as charity management.

You’ll need to see the strategic big picture, at the same time as providing hands-on support for  proposals, administration and co-ordination of the fundraising process.

Who are we?

Proforest is a mission-driven organisation 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.

Through our charitable Proforest Initiatives in the UK, Africa and Brazil, we manage grant-funded programmes that complement our client-funded work. Proforest Initiative UK supports programmes to develop landscape and sectoral initiatives for more sustainable agriculture, as well as multistakeholder and collaborative processes involving public sector, companies and civil society. We work closely with colleagues in Southeast Asia, Africa and Latin America to develop and deliver these programmes.

The combination of our grant-funded programmes with client-funded consultancy services is fundamental to the way Proforest works and the value we can bring to all parties.

Job Description

What will you do?

This is a unique opportunity to take on a role that you can develop as your own, with the opportunity to have large-scale impact across a global organisation.  

Proforest has long-term programmes in Africa, Southeast Asia and Latin America that are funded by grant-making and donor organisations. You’ll be tasked with building on these foundations to actively fundraise for current and future programmes to support responsible agricultural production and sourcing. You’ll work on developing a fundraising strategy for Proforest Europe, and ensuring it fits with Proforest’s global strategy and direction.

You’ll lead on developing existing, and building new relationships with corporate foundations, government donors, philanthropic organisations and advisory services and individuals, for activities delivered through Proforest Europe and our Proforest partners in other regions.

While all Proforest regional teams are active in fundraising for specific activities within their regions, you will support coordination of a global and consistent approach to fundraising. In addition, you will support funding applications by Proforest partners in other regions.

The role also includes significant responsibility for Proforest Initiative UK, our charitable arm  registered in the UK. This includes liaising with our trustees on the strategy and direction of grant-funded activities, as well as coordinating financial, technical and communications aspects.

Key responsibilities fall into two main areas: 

Fundraising

• Develop Proforest Europe fundraising strategy and input into global strategy
• Research new avenues for fundraising. Identify and engage with new funding sources 
• In collaboration with the Communications team, develop fundraising and related communications materials, including presentations and pitch documents.
• Support Proforest leadership and technical teams to create compelling, appropriate and targeted concepts, proposals and grant submissions. Lead or coordinate development of large funding bids where multiple Proforest entities are involved.   
• Develop and manage the fundraising database, identifying opportunities for all Proforest entities, coordinating contact, and promoting unified fundraising approaches.

Proforest Initiative UK

• Manage Proforest Initiative, our UK-based charity, including organising three trustee meetings per year, working with our Director of Operations and the finance team.
• Manage institutional responsibilities for Proforest Initiative, including budget allocation and monitoring, safeguarding processes and supplier due diligence.

Qualifications

What is your profile?

You’ll be someone who enjoys developing and maintaining relationships, who is collaborative and mission driven. You thrive in a role where you take ownership within a fast-paced environment in an exciting and rapidly evolving industry. To be considered for this role you will also have:

Essential:

• Successful international fundraising experience within a global organisation with an element of sustainability, environment, climate, nature and/or human rights
• Knowledge of and relationships with international philanthropists and a proven ability to network
• Experience working in the field of international sustainability initiatives
• Experience of writing, coordinating and driving submission of grant applications and fundraising proposals
• Cultural sensitivity with the ability to work with a diverse range of people
• Excellent communication skills in English with proven ability to present and persuade

Desirable but not essential:

• Experience managing a registered charity, either in the UK or internationally
• Familiarity with key fundraising information sources
• Familiarity with fundraising databases or CRM having set up and run systems and processes across global teams
• A fundraising related qualification or professional development
• Degree level qualification or equivalent in a sustainability or related field.
• Proficiency in other languages beyond English.

Additional Information

Why should you work for us?

You’ll 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 language.

What else does Proforest offer?

• We care about work-life balance and offer 25 days plus public holidays (with an extra 2 days the following year should you take your well earned 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 development
• 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: In the region of £46,000 - £50,000 per annum

Closing date: 12 February 2024 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). Please note first stage interviews will be w/c 19 February and 2nd interviews w/c 26 February.

Working hours: We are open to applications from candidates wishing to work full or part time (minimum of 3 days per week or equivalent over more but shorter days).

Hybrid working: Proforest operates on a hybrid basis. We encourage staff to attend the office regularly to maximise interactions with colleagues and encourage collaboration but also appreciate individual circumstances and preferences.

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

British Council  

Riverside  

Sanctuary  

Save the Children International  

Marie Curie  

Norwegian Refugee Council  

Woodfords Family Services  

World Vision  

IOSH  

Raspberry Pi Foundation