Associate, Standards & Assurance at Rainforest Alliance

Job Summary

The Officer, Standards & Assurance is the first point of contact for both UTZ and Rainforest Alliance Certification Bodies (CBs) in the countries for which he/she is responsible. This contact can include support for either of the certification programs in terms of interpretation of the control points, but also for assistance in using the various programs such as MultiTrace, Marketplace registration, Salesforce and the UTZ Good Inside Portal. The Officer works in a multi-cultural team and contributes to the strategic vision of Standards & Assurance by implementing effective approaches to ensure that the certification program is well audited by CBs and to protect the reputation of the Rainforest Alliance in all cases.

Responsibilities

• Gives support to CBs by answering emails, taking calls or holding face to face meetings on the implementation of the standard and certification protocols for both the UTZ and Rainforest Alliance standards
• Provides feedback to LT, DHs, other colleagues on the status of the certification programs in the countries for which he/she is responsible
• Provides an analysis to the Senior Manager of the activities in country, including audits, non-conformities from audits, quality of audit reports and licenses to evaluate the interpretations for the Standard and Certification Rules, and makes recommendations if necessary.
• Drafts, updates and distributes relevant tools, materials and protocols relevant to the standard per region, target group and/or product.
• Provides input for the development, implementation and execution of Rainforest Alliance certification procedures and processes.
• Conducts a regular risk assessment of the countries and develops actions related to this which are embed in the Rainforest Alliance program to protect Rainforest Alliance standard and certification protocols. Communicates these risks to the Senior Manager and Assurance team
• Supports the work of the CB Monitoring team when organizing shadow/parallel audits of Rainforest Alliance certification bodies, producer organizations and supply chain actors. Identifies the need for conducting investigation audits where the reputation of Rainforest Alliance is at risk
• Conducts training of auditors on auditing procedures, the Standard and Certification Rules, Rainforest Alliance policies and procedures and other relevant topics
• Develops and conducts CBs workshops, trainings and/or webinars to align the interpretation of the Standard for CBs or assurance procedures and how to comply;
• Systematically reports issues, risks and possible solutions to country and S&A managers
• Provides inputs and suggestions to adapt Rainforest Alliance standards, policies and processes to local context to improve implementation and impact;
• Co-develop solutions to support CBs and auditors to improve their performance with relevant country, regional and global teams.
• Develops a yearly country plan with the regional teams and other relevant Rainforest Alliance staff and implements these actions therein after approval.

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor Degree in agronomy or other related field
• Minimum of 2 years work experience in agriculture and/or sustainability
• Minimum 2 years work experience working with smallholder producers and/or producer groups and/or community-based organizations
• Minimum 1 year work experience with the coffee sector. Knowledge of the cocoa and tea sectors is a plus
• Auditing qualifications and/or work experience and knowledge is a plus
• Knowledge of Certification Programmes (UTZ/RA/Fairtrade/etc.)
• Ability to develop and maintain strong relationships of trust and confidence with stakeholders
• Ability to work independently, under pressure and stay focused.
• Ability to work in a cross-functional team
• Ability to understand and analyse data in various formats, aggregate information and report on trends and findings
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Outlook; familiar with the use of IT technologies and/or various farm management applications. Ability to use GPS
• Both written and verbal fluency in French and English
• Ability to travel and conduct field work in the local context (a minimum of 25% field-based work per year).
• Strong personal ethics and integrity and commitment to uphold the rules and values of the Rainforest Alliance