Assistant Project Manager

Proforest; Leiden; Hybrid; EUR 31,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Pension contribution

Life insurance

Regular team events

Hybrid working model

Job summary

Proforest in Leiden (Netherlands) is seeking an Assistant Project Manager to join its technical team in an international setting. This entry-level role offers structured onboarding, exposure to client projects across responsible sourcing, and the chance to develop project management skills from day one.

You will collaborate with Delivery Leads, manage workplans, timelines and budgets, and contribute to data analyses, reports and workshop materials.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in sustainability, forestry, climate mitigation/adaptation, environment, or agriculture.
• Strong analytical, organisational, and time management skills
• Collaborative approach and high integrity standards
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to build relationships and present effectively
• Attention to detail and ability to pick new technical topics quickly
• Proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint and confident using AI responsibly

Responsibilities

• Support Delivery Leads to deliver client projects within your team’s area.
• Help plan and track projects: workplans, timelines, budget, using our project management tools
• Contribute to high quality technical outputs, from data analysis and research reports to presentations and workshop materials
• Build technical expertise across commodities and issues (e.g., deforestation, climate adaptation, human rights)

Skills

Analytical skills

Organisational skills

Time management

Communication skills

Excel

PowerPoint

AI responsibly

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in sustainability or related field

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Proforest is a mission-driven organisation building resilient agricultural and forestry supply chains and thriving production landscape that deliver positive outcomes for people, nature and climate.. Our work addresses issues such as protecting and restoring forests and ecosystems, climate mitigation and adaptation, sustainable livelihood respecting the rights of workers, local communities and indigenous peoples.

If you are motivated to contribute to this transition toward responsible production and sourcing, and passionate about tackling global challenges, we would like to hear from you.

Job Description

What will you do and learn?

You will work in the technical team alongside sector experts in an international setting, gaining in-depth knowledge of responsible production and sourcing of agricultural commodities. After initial onboarding, you will take on client project tasks under the guidance of our experienced team of experts, contributing to our mission from day one.

You'll play an important role in supporting the successful delivery of projects within your specified area. Whilst doing this you will develop an understanding of our project management systems and support the effective project management and control, including project planning, liaising with subcontractors, monitoring of time and budget, invoicing and supporting proposal development. As you progress your career at Proforest you will have the opportunity to specialise in certain areas, develop client relationships and advance your leadership skills.

Your role will include:

• Supporting Project Delivery Leads and Strategic Leads to deliver client projects within your team’s area (i.e., Responsible Sourcing, Collaboration, Landscape, Finance & Policy)Helping plan and track projects: Workplans, timelines, budget, using our project management tools
• Contributing to the delivery of high quality technical outputs, from data analysis and research reports to presentations and workshop materials
• Building technical expertise across commodities (e.g., Palm, Soy, Grains, Sugar, Cocoa) and issues (e.g., deforestation, climate adaptation, human rights)

Where this role can take you?

This is an entry-level role, designed as the first step towards becoming a Project Delivery Lead. With structured support and on-the job-learning, you will build both strong project management skills, and deep technical knowledge, taking more responsibility as you grow. Overtime you can also specialise in different commodities, issues and services.

Qualifications

Aboutyou

We are recruiting several Assistant project Managers and welcome recent graduates - a Master degree is not required. This role suits someone organised, proactive, curious, and adaptable, who shared same sense of purpose.

• Bachelor's degree in sustainability, forestry, climate mitigation and adaptation, environment, agriculture or human rights or a related field within agricultural commodity production
• Strong analytical, organisational, and time management skills
• Collaborative approach and high integrity standards
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to build relationships and present effectively
• Attention to details and ability to pick new technical topic quickly
• Proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint and confidence using of AI responsibly

Desirable (not essential to be considered:

• Additional language skills (e.g., Spanish, Portuguese, French, Indonesian, Malay)
• Any experience coordinating projects or events, including through internships, studies or volunteeringProject management experience
• Any exposure to agricultural commodity supply chains or sustainability work (e.g, Internships, dissertation, volunteering)
• Experience of agricultural production in the field, and of living/working in international environment

Additional Information

Be part of a global organisation with offices in 9 countries and colleagues from over 17 nationalities

25 days annual leave plus public holidays (with 2 extra days if taken within the year)

Dedicated learning and development support, including access to training

Pension contribution (up to 8%), life insurance, and income protection

Regular team gatherings, knowledge exchanges, and social events

Hybrid working model with a minimum of two office days per week

• Location: Oxford (UK) or Leiden (Netherlands) Please note there is no parking at either office.
• Salary: £28,000 or €34,000 per annum (inc. holiday pay)
• Contract: 18-month fixed term, with potential for extension and promotion to a permanent role
• Interviews: Online, 30th November

(please note you need to hold the relevant rights to work in either the UK or Netherlands to be considered for this role)

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