Who Are We?Proforest is a mission-driven organisation that provides a consultancy service 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. These cover issues such as protecting and restoring forests and natural ecosystems, respecting worker’s rights, advancing gender equality, and engaging with communities and indigenous people.
What Will You Do?The Global Communications Lead sets the strategic direction for Proforest’s communications, strengthens its global brand and narrative, and coordinates a geographically dispersed team to deliver both global and regional priorities.Drawing on Proforest’s 25 years of sustainability experience, the role translates complex knowledge into clear, engaging and practical communications for clients, partners and other stakeholders. Working across five autonomous regions, the post balances a coherent global approach with regional flexibility, combining strategic leadership, excellent project management skills and hands-on delivery.The successful candidate will build strong relationships, bring people together and foster collaboration across regions. They also understand how AI is changing the way people access information and create knowledge and are able to support the evolution of Proforest’s communications approach to adapt to these changes.Key Responsibilities Include:Strategy, Brand and GovernanceLead the global communications strategy, aligned with Proforest’s 2025–2030 organisational strategy and regional plans in order to strengthen reputation, extend the reach and influence of our technical knowledge, and increase internal alignment and engagement around key messages.Steward Proforest’s brand, narrative and messaging, providing a coherent global framework that regions can adapt to their contexts, ensuring a competitive positioning as trusted technical partner.Harness and promote Proforest’s thought leadership.Advise the Global Executive Board on communications priorities, performance and risks, and maintain the guidance, processes and tools needed for consistent delivery.Planning, channels and reputationManage the global editorial calendar and coordinate major campaigns and events with regional teams and the Global Executive Board.Oversee global digital channels, media relations, and internal communications in collaboration with relevant teams.Set performance indicators, review results and adapt plans to improve communications impact.Knowledge, content and capabilityWork with technical and leadership teams to translate complex knowledge into clear, accessible content and high-quality knowledge products.Set standards for information design and oversee the production of visual and data-based communications materials.Build communications capability across Proforest through mentoring, training and shared tools, working with the Training team where appropriate.Team leadership and regional coordinationCoordinate and mentor the global communications team, whose members report to Regional Directors with dotted-line accountability to this role.Chair the monthly Communications Working Group to align priorities, coordinate delivery and share learning across regions.Help regional comms and technical teams use communications strategically, while respecting regional ownership and addressing capability gaps.About YouYou'll be a strategic communications professional with strong leadership, stakeholder engagement and project management skills. You will be experienced in developing and delivering communications strategies within complex international organisations and be confident translating technical and sustainability-related topics into clear, engaging and impactful communications. You'll enjoy working across cultures, building strong relationships and helping teams collaborate effectively to achieve shared goals.Experience:Minimum 10 years of professional experience in communications, marketing or knowledge management Essential Evidence of working/living in multiple cultural backgrounds and ability to connect with culturally diverse teams and audiences EssentialProven track record managing teams and mentoring staff EssentialEvidence of managing change EssentialTrack record of complex project managementEssentialEvidence of developing and implementing learning and knowledge management strategies DesirableTeam and line management experience with proven ability to motivate and drive performanceTechnical:Understanding of sustainability issues, ideally in food systems, land use, forestry and agricultural commodity production, responsible sourcing, land rights or related areas. DesirableExperience in training and capacity building for not-for-profit organisations or mission-driven sectors DesirableDemonstrated strong project management skills EssentialUnderstanding of deep societal changes with the advent of AI, affecting how we work, communicate and engage with internal and external audiencesEssentialFamiliarity with data visualisation concepts and tools, experience in designing or managing information and data products DesirableExcellent written English and strong oral communication and presentation skills EssentialProficiency in at least one other Proforest working language (Portuguese, Spanish, French, Bahasa Indonesia, Bahasa Malaysia) Essential
