Program Manager (Platform manager), IDH Solutions (6-month)

IDH; Utrecht; Hybrid; EUR 51,000 - 64,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Salary 4,598–5,748 EUR/month

Pension scheme

Health insurance allowance

Remote work allowance

Vacation days 26+

Bike/Commuting benefits

Job summary

IDH Solutions is seeking a proactive Platform Manager for its initiatives in the sustainability sector. You will coordinate platform activities, engage members, and support cross-sector learning under the Platform Chairs and Program Director.

The role includes maternity cover for 6 months with a part-time schedule (24-32 hours/week). You will contribute to Better Jobs, Better Environment and Better Income, while ensuring smooth operations, budgets, and timely project delivery.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or equivalent working level in related field.
• 5-8 years of experience in multi-stakeholder initiatives or sustainability programs.
• Strong stakeholder management and building partnerships in international settings.
• Excellent communication, facilitation and negotiation skills.
• Experience in project management and financial administration.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day initiatives within allocated time.
• Serve as primary contact for initiatives and members.
• Support sustainability strategy design and documentation.
• Guide and train junior team members to ensure qualityDelivery.
• Design trainings and workshops to drive cross-sector learning.

Skills

Multi-stakeholder experience

Stakeholder management

Project management

Agile mindset

Education

Master's degree

Tools

MS Office

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

We are excited to be searching for a proactive and pragmatic Program Manager (Platform Manager) with an interest to join our team, and we hope it's you!

Your role

As Platform Manager, you coordinate and manage voluntary, industry-led sustainability sector initiatives. You keep operations running smoothly, engage the members and deliver the platform activities of your initiatives, working closely with the Platform Chairs and your colleagues to support cross-sector learning.

You report to the Program Director of IDH Solutions, whom you also support in business and proposition development, and you contribute to project execution across Better Jobs, Better Environment and Better Income.

Your key stakeholders are IDH Solutions' sector initiative clients and the internal Solutions team.

This is a 6-month position with part-time (24-32 hours/ flexibility based on mutual agreement). This is the position for maternity cover.

Key responsibilities

Platform management and growth:

• Day-to-day management of their assigned initiatives within the time allocated for each initiative, in close coordination with the priorities defined by the designated decision maker from the initiative.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for the initiatives and members including supporting the initiative chair in managing and growing the membership relationships.
• Support design of sustainability strategy for the initiatives and related programs, maintain documentation and basket of standards for the initiatives.
• Give guidance, support and training, as well as oversee quality of delivery, for junior team members who support the execution of the initiative secretariat.
• Design and facilitate trainings and workshops with stakeholders to educate and drive alignment on the topics, themes and tools relevant for the initiatives and enable cross-learnings to share insights from one sector to the other.

Business and proposition development:

• Support the Cross-Platform Fundraising Coordinator in writing grant applications and fundraising activities.
• Support Solutions team in proposal writing and business development.
• Contribute to the development of new product and service propositions, leveraging sector and thematic knowledge areas and validating against market needs. Iteratively create, validate and test these new ideas with potential clients to develop, design and communicate these value propositions.

Operational management:

• Ensure smooth and efficient project operation, including logistics and resource allocation.
• Monitor project resource spending in initiatives against budget allocations and including time tracking, providing regular financial reports to the management team.
• Oversee the execution of projects, ensuring they adhere to planned timelines and objectives.
• Look for ways of optimising the processes and procedures relating to the project management.

Technical knowledge:

• Have a strong knowledge of the expertise, initiatives and tools developed within IDH, that is relevant for your initiative's themes/topics.
• An interest to develop your technical knowledge and personal growth along other impact themes in IDH Foundation to develop new propositions in IDH Solutions on Better Jobs, Better Income, Better Environment and Gender Equity.

Who you are

To succeed in this role:

• You balance multiple priorities. You manage diverse tasks in a structured, agile way and estimate your time to delivery realistically.
• You navigate complex stakeholder environments. You coordinate members, clients and colleagues effectively and keep their engagement and satisfaction high.
• You bring an entrepreneurial, pragmatic mindset. You adapt quickly in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and test new ideas with potential clients.
• You deliver on time. Project activities and reports are timely and accurate, objectives are met and program budgets are well managed.

What you bring

• A Master's degree or equivalent working level in business, environmental management, political and social sciences or a related field
• 5 to 8 years of relevant experience in multi-stakeholder initiatives, sustainability strategy, program management or developing public-private partnerships
• A proven track record in stakeholder management and building partnerships in international settings; prior experience in the fresh produce or flavours sectors is a strong advantage
• A strong understanding of sustainability issues, especially environment and living income; knowledge of living wage and an interest to learn more is an advantage
• Excellent communication, facilitation and negotiation skills
• Experience in project management and financial administration, as well as monitoring and evaluation
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office, especially Excel and PowerPoint
• A team player with a can-do mentality: proactive, action oriented and able to deliver work autonomously

We offer you

A challenging, pivotal role within an impacting, international organisation – and:

• A salary range between EUR 4,598 – 5,748 (excluding 8% holiday allowance) per month (based on a 40-hour work week), job level 17. The job level is evaluated based on IDH’s methodology; the successful candidate will be placed within the range depending on relevant work experience. The selection process is conducted, applying STAR interview methodology.
• A part-time (24-32 hours) contract of 6 months, as maternity cover. The monthly salary is pro-rated to the weekly hours agreed with the successful candidate.
• Enjoy 26 paid vacation days annually (based on 100% FTE). Plus, earn 2 extra vacation days if you use your full allowance within the calendar year. Need flexibility? You can buy or sell up to 6 vacation days each year.
• IDH contributes €74.40 net per month towards your health insurance premium, helping you maintain optimal health coverage.
• A comprehensive pension scheme with considerable contribution by the employer and 3.5% contribution by the employee, ensuring financial stability during your retirement.
• Provide NS Business Card or full reimbursement of commuting costs. Choose between receiving €0.23 per kilometre or opting for second-class public transport, making your journey to work hassle-free.
• IDH provides role-specific work supplies (e.g., laptop, phone) alongside flexible working hours and a hybrid work model to suit your needs.
• Receive a monthly work-from-home allowance of €18.59 net, acknowledging the changing work landscape and supporting your remote work setup with a Work-from-Home equipment contribution.
• Prioritise your physical well-being with a sports club/health club allowance of €43.40 gross per month, enabling you to invest in your fitness and overall health.
• Cyclis Bike Lease: Lease any bike—electric, sport, or even a bakfiets for commuting or family use
• Six weeks of remote work annually, allowing you to work from anywhere.
• Lunch Allowance €88.58 gross, 100% FTE
• Enjoy a range of perks at the Utrecht office, including fresh fruits, organic coffee and tea, promoting a nourishing and supporting work atmosphere and Wellness initiatives giving you access tools to manage stress and prevent burnout

The successful candidate will be required to provide a Certificate of Conduct (Verklaring Omtrent Gedrag) as part of IDH's onboarding process (not applicable for internal candidates).

For more questions about the role and organisation, please contact Phat at [e-mail].

About IDH Solutions

IDH Solutions is a social enterprise that enables businesses, investment and governments to create resilient value chains.

We deliver products and services to companies and organisations to better support their evolving needs to drive sustainable change through all built on the solid foundation of IDH’s successful initiatives and knowledge.

IDH's Mission is to transform markets by supporting thriving worker and farmer communities and achieving net zero, regenerative agricultural systems with a focus on Better Income, Better Jobs and a Better Environment.

Our commitment to safeguarding

The offer of the role will be made subject to receipt of satisfactory references, proof of relevant qualifications, identification checks and other safeguarding checks including background checks overseas (where appropriate). IDH Solutions also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment procedures.

At IDH Solutions, we are committed to equal employment opportunities and do not tolerate discrimination or harassment of any type. We strive every day to build a more inclusive and equitable workplace.

Research shows women and other underrepresented candidates are less likely to apply unless they meet 100% of the listed criteria. If you meet many, but not all, of the qualifications and feel energised by the role, we strongly encourage you to apply.