• English
 

Director Standards, Pricing and Assurance

scheme image

OVERVIEW

Fairtrade is an alternative approach to conventional trade and is based on a partnership between producers and consumers. Fairtrade offers producers a better deal and improved terms of trade. This allows them the opportunity to improve their lives and plan for their future. Fairtrade offers consumers a powerful way to reduce poverty through their everyday shopping.
 
Fairtrade International is the international non-profit, multi stakeholder body that is responsible for the strategic direction of Fairtrade, sets Fairtrade standards and supports producers.

The Director Standards, Pricing and Assurance will be responsible for leading, facilitating and supporting the delivery of global standard / price setting, assurance, and scheme ownership for Fairtrade International and its members. The Standards, Pricing and Assurance team brings together our social/environmental/ economic as well as scheme experts to achieve our strategic objectives. The Director will be responsible to ensure the effective integration and delivery of the work of these experts into Fairtrade’s global plans against agreed indicators and targets.
 

PRINCIPAL ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director will be part of Fairtrade International’s Senior Management Team (SMT), ensuring overall alignment and management of relevant topics at SMT level.
 
The main strategic focus of the Director will be on:
 
Leadership:
  • Inspire the Fairtrade International Standards, Pricing and Assurance team with the confidence and ability to: act as ambassadors for Fairtrade’s values, mission and ambition;
respect and use the skills, expertise, experience and insights of other staff; provide direction and resources, build team dynamics, removing barriers and helping develop staff skills; articulate expectations and clarify roles and relationships.
  • Ensure high service level to members, Fairtrade certified producers and traders, and more broadly to all Fairtrade stakeholders.
  • Create and maintain strong internal and external relationships – provide input to, influence activity of, responding to, sharing information and communicating with other functions across Fairtrade. The position is expected to proactively engage with CEOs and other relevant actors across the different Fairtrade Organizations, exercising actively listening and focusing on an excellent customer service experience for our different members, partners, beneficiaries and customers.
  • Represent the Fairtrade system in selected conferences, workshops, seminars and projects as necessary.
Operations:              
  • Ensure professional and auditable Fairtrade standards and prices that can be readily understood by producers and effectively used by assurance providers; as applicable expand same objectives to requirements for assurance providers and licensing bodies.
  • Ensure Fairtrade standards and prices are developed in line with principles determined in the Fairtrade Constitution and operationalize these principles in Standard Operating Procedures, as applicable extend same objectives and principles to scheme ownership.
  • Establish trustworthy relationships with stakeholders to ensure ownership of and participation in consultation processes.
  • Lead from an operational perspective the relevant Committees, Sub-Committees and working groups on standard/price setting and scheme ownership, in particular working with the respective Chair on clear, effective, and rationalized decision making, and on clear and effective ToRs and operating procedures.
  • Oversee the development and delivery of standard, pricing and assurance/scheme ownership short and long-term plans and budgets, monitor and review progress towards achieving targets, including reporting on a regular basis. 
People and Team management:
 
The Head of Standards and the Head of Pricing report to the Director and:
  • Maintain and further develop an effective and motivated team.
  • Ensure that the team delivers on tasks assigned to them and that the team approaches their tasks with a customer service approach.
  • Recruit, train, appraise, supervise, support, develop and guide team members.
  • Ensure effective management and maintain the well-being and high morale of the team.
The Director supports these activities by coaching, training, and inspiring his/her direct reports while keeping a healthy relationship with the rest of the team.
 

SKILLS REQUIRED

Level of Education:
  • Master’s degree in Economics, International Development, International Relations, Public Policy, or similar disciplines.
Requiered Qualifications and Competencies:
  • Experience in leading, directing and managing teams, team leads, senior and junior professionals in multi-disciplinary environments.
  • At least 10 years of relevant professional experience in a similar position or working for international NGOs, development agencies or international organizations.
  • A minimum of 5 years’ experience in managing teams.
  • Experience of credible standard setting, economic analysis of producer needs and scheme management.
  • Proven experience in project management, change management processes and service delivery in multi-stakeholder organisations.
  • Understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals and global trade issues.
  • Knowledge of Fairtrade, understanding and identifying with Fairtrade’s values, mission and vision.
  • Strong leadership and influencing skills.
  • Strong communication skills, including conflict and facilitating resolution skills.
  • Sensitivity to different cultures and business styles.
  • Excellent written and verbal presentation skills.
  • Ability to build strong relationships across a wide range of organizations and at all levels.
  • Ability to work with internal and external stakeholders with different needs and interests.
  • People management: Ability to coach and guide team leaders, senior and junior professionals to deliver against their own and organizational objectives.
  • Ability to maintain strategic overview in the face of operational complexity.
  • Creativity: Track record in guiding colleagues to seek solutions to difficult problems with multiple stakeholder requirements.
  • Proficiency in English is essential. Proficiency in Spanish and/or other relevant languages will be a strong advantage.
  • Strong network in the standards-setting and scheme sectors, with likeminded organizations is of advantage.
  • Ideally working experience in developing country contexts.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

  • This is a full-time position.
  • An initial two-year contract is offered.
  • Location is at Fairtrade International offices in Bonn with the option of mobile working in Germany according to Fairtrade International's regulations.
  • The working language is English.
  • The gross annual salary is in the range of € 90k and € 100k and will be negotiated with the successful applicant commensurate with their qualifications and competencies.
  • Starting date: as soon as possible.

HOW TO APPLY

  • Please consult www.fairtrade.net for more information on Fairtrade International and the Fairtrade system.
  • We are actively recruiting for this role and reserve the right to close this advertisement at any time.
Please note that Fairtrade International is strict on compliance with the required qualification criteria mentioned above, and only those candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.