Principal Program Manager

 

Main characteristics

Location

London, London

Company

Forum for the Future

Employment type

Permanent

Job summary

Do you want to help create more sustainable and just value chains?
We are looking for an inspiring, proactive, and outcomes-oriented Principal Programme Manager to lead design and implementation of ambitious system change projects. You will predominantly work on the sustainable value chains and livelihoods programme of work but should have the willingness, knowledge and expertise to support more broadly across Forum's work. Read more about our work here .
We are advertising this one role in two markets: India and the UK, and will seek to appoint the strongest candidate in either market. One of the key projects that this role will lead is Cotton 2040 - a platform that aims to accelerate progress and maximise the impact of existing sustainable cotton initiatives, bringing together leading international brands and retailers, sustainable cotton standards, and other stakeholders across the value chain. There are advantages to either location for the role; in India the work will be closer to the supply chain, in the UK - to the brands. Irrespective, this role will work internationally with our team and project partners.


About us
Forum for the Future is a leading international sustainability non-profit. For over 20 years we've been working to accelerate the shift to a just and sustainable future by transforming the systems we live in.
We specialise in addressing critical global challenges - from keeping global warming within 1.5 degrees to ensuring more sustainable food systems, value chains and livelihoods - by working in partnership with business, governments and civil society to catalyse change.
Together we can reinvent the way the world works.


Our people
We are a multi-cultural team of 80+ people, with offices in London, Mumbai, New York, and Singapore. We continue to grow our programmes of work across Asia and the United States. This post will work with a team of strategists and change designers focused on cultivating relationships with Forum's external partners and multi-stakeholder coalitions to deliver transformational change.


Our work environment
We are inspired by the world in which we live and those with whom we share it. We celebrate the indivisibility of all life forms on Earth, are committed to the pursuit of equity, and seek to act justly in all we do. These values help build our common culture, shape our shared purpose and guide us in all actions and decisions. We believe in being courageous, adaptive, inquisitive, respectful, empathetic and playful. You can read more about our organisational values here .
We enjoy working in teams, collaborating, and learning from each other. We are a dynamic, flexible and supportive team of people who care about each other's wellbeing and the world around us.
At Forum, we aspire to foster positive team spirit and to provide the best possible working environment for all our staff; one that is based on the highest standards of ethics, honesty, integrity, openness and transparency.
We are an inclusive organisation that encourages applications from across our diverse communities. We're committed to building a team of capable and thriving people from all walks of life.


Role in a nutshell
In this role, you will:
lead the design and implementation of Forum's flagship projects that aim to deliver system change, in particular, those in cotton, other agricultural commodities and textiles.
nurture high-level relationships with Forum's network of partner organisations and other key stakeholders
develop and fundraise for new projects that can deliver transformational outcomes
actively contribute to the effective development of this workstream by using your substantial content expertise in sustainable value chains and livelihoods
have a passion for sustainability and a just, regenerative future
have the knowledge and practical understanding or experience of value chains and global commodities, particularly agricultural, and related to textiles.
be adaptable and resilient in the face of complexity and uncertainty that we're working with
be able and willing to juggle working across a number of different projects, geographies and teams
be effective at highly distributed and networked ways of working, and skilled at using digital platforms
have experience of applying tools, methodologies or working processes that create systems change. This might include applied systems thinking, design, futures, transformational learning, social innovation, collaboration, sustainability transitions
enjoy working with people from different cultures and across geographies
have experience in managing multi-stakeholder collaborative projects
have honed communication skills to be able to translate complex ideas and processes effectively to different types of audiences, including facilitation and public speaking
know how to build and nurture strong relationships and networks - be it with project partners or colleagues
be keen to apply your curious and analytical mind, making connections and understanding how things fit into the bigger picture
be a strong manager - of time, budgets, people and project teams
your preferred ways of working are embodied by Forum's values (being courageous, adaptive, empathetic, inquisitive, playful and respectful).


About you
We are not looking for an ideal candidate as we recognise and value diverse experiences that people bring to work. We are keen to hear from people from any relevant professional background who believe in our purpose, share our values, and will bring their skills and desire to enact change.
To thrive in this role you will:
If you do not meet all of the requirements outlined in the job description but still believe you have the right mix of skills and experience to thrive in this role and further Forum's ambitious goals for change, we encourage you to apply.
In return, we offer a unique opportunity to be at the forefront of systems thinking and change-making. We work as a close-knit, dynamic, and supportive team. We offer various opportunities for flexible working to help you manage your work-life balance.
To find out more about this vacancy, please download and read the full job description
To be considered for this vacancy, please complete the application form by the stated deadline.
Deadline for applications: 23:59 GMT on Sunday, 15 November 2020.
We look forward to hearing from you!


How to apply
We use the Applied platform because it is designed to reduce bias in our recruitment process. To apply for this job, we ask you to answer a few work-based questions. Your answers will be randomised and anonymously scored by members of Forum's selection panel. Our initial selection is based on how you answer these questions, rather than looking at your CV. Candidates with the top scoring answers will be invited to a structured interview where you get to meet some of the team. At the interview stage you will be asked questions that reflect the role and also to complete a work-based task, so you have the chance to demonstrate your skills.
The Applied platform includes instructions on how to use the portal. Once you start your application you will be presented with a dashboard which helps you to track your progress and reminds you of the closing date for the application. As you complete sections you can draft and save your responses to review and submit when you are ready to (as long as you're within our required application deadline).


Additional Information
All Forum employees are working remotely for the rest of 2020; once the offices re-open, this position will be expected to work from either our London or Mumbai office.
If you do not already hold the right to work in the UK or India (depending on where you are based) and/or require sponsorship in order to continue working in your chosen location, you should think carefully before applying. This is because we will be unable to sponsor you.
Some of the personal data you provide to Applied when you apply for a role with Forum for the Future will be passed on to us for the purposes of (a) reviewing your application; (b) inviting you for interview; and/or (c) offering you a job and getting you set up as an employee. For full details on how we collect and use your personal data please visit our privacy notice here.
If your application is not successful, any personal data provided to us by Applied (including any personal data relating to equal opportunities monitoring as set out above) will be retained by Forum for the Future for no longer than 12 months after the application deadline has passed, at which point your personal data will be securely deleted. We only keep your information for that period in order to allow us to comply with relevant legal obligations.