Head of Oversight and Compliance

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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 seeks to bring social, economic and environmental benefits to producers through the Fairtrade Standards. 
 
Fairtrade International is responsible for developing, monitoring and reviewing the Fairtrade Standards and economic benefit mechanism to promote the empowerment of Fairtrade-certified producers. As the owner of the Fairtrade Scheme and the Certification Marks, FI provides the necessary oversight to maintain the credibility of the Fairtrade scheme, supports producers in gaining and maintaining Fairtrade Certification and capitalizing on market opportunities. 
 
Fairtrade International is also committed to creating and maintaining an environment that promotes its core values and prevents abuse, violence, and exploitation of all people. Fairtrade International´s employees, associated personnel are expected to uphold the dignity of all people with whom they come into contact with either directly or indirectly by ensuring that their personal and professional conduct abides by organisational policies and the Fairtrade Organization Code at all times.
 
OBJECTIVE/PURPOSE:
 
The post holder will manage responsibilities of the scheme owner related to assurance, licensing and compliance.
 
The post holder will lead the further development and implementation of Fairtrade International's Compliance Management System, manage and oversee the Whistle-Blowing-System and promote a culture that enables our employees and partners to speak up. 
 
The post holder will act as key coordinating point for compliance matters and will also provide advice to the Board and Senior Management, as required.
 
Core Responsibilities:
  • Manage the oversight mechanisms, oversight structures (its relevant Committees and Bodies), processes and procedures, and implement agreed improvement activities.
  • Manage the global compliance framework and support the implementation of a comprehensive compliance management system for Fairtrade.
  • Manage relations with members related to the oversight mechanism on assurance and licensing matters.
  • Audit and oversee the implementation of processes, procedures and policies by the member organizations for assurance and licensing activities as required by the Oversight Mechanism.
  • Liaise with and support member organizations to implement the compliance structures and mechanisms as required by the Fairtrade Organization Code.
  • Manage relations with accreditation and umbrella bodies (Dakks, ISEAL and others) in all matters related to oversight and compliance.
  • Communicate and train all relevant stakeholders in scheme ownership and compliance matters. 

PRINCIPAL ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting to the Director Legal Affairs, the post holder will be responsible for the following main areas of work: 
 
Scheme Ownership
  • Manage and review Fairtrade International’s oversight mechanism to deliver on agreed principles such as competency, consistency and impartiality and risk management in assurance and licensing
  • Manage evaluation and decision-making processes of the scheme owner, this includes drafting and presenting high quality papers to the Fairtrade Oversight Committee
  • Review with assurance providers and licensing bodies their improvement plans, perform oversight audits and follow up on implementation of corrective actions
  • Manage audits and follow up procedures from accreditation and umbrella bodies and ensure implementation of agreed improvement plans
  • Manage relations and agreements with other schemes, in particular regarding recognition of standards, audits and certificates
  • Manage projects to define assurance or licensing requirements related to new or revised standards, according to procedures
  • Manage projects to review existing oversight, licensing and assurance regulations
  • Participate in larger S&P standard reviews or other FI unit projects regarding assurance or licensing aspects
Compliance
  • Lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive compliance management system for Fairtrade, including reviewing and aligning the procedures and policies related to Fairtrade’s complaints and allegations management
  • Implement and manage the Fairtrade Whistle-Blowing-System to ensure a compliant, confidential and trust worthy complaints and allegations case management that protects whistleblowers and ensures that any reported non-compliance with external or internal regulations undergo a proper investigation, legal assessment and adequate measures are taken and, in this function, coordinate case management with the appointed “Internal Reporting Office” in accordance with the German Whistleblower Protection Act (Ombudsperson)
  • Regularly generate reports on complaints and allegation cases submitted, analyze the data to identify key learnings and provide guidance (to HR, Finance, etc.) on development of new policies or improvement opportunities.
  • Support member organizations with the implementation of the relevant policies and procedures in compliance with the Fairtrade Organization Code and global compliance strategy, and monitor their performance
  • Ensure Fairtrade member organizations are informed and trained to implement the relevant policies and procedures for alignment with the Fairtrade Organization Code and global compliance strategy.
  • Act as the key contact for compliance matters within Fairtrade, and for handling and coordinating the complaints and allegations that do not fall into the scope of the ombudsman.
  • Work closely with the compliance focal persons in Fairtrade member organizations and support members with creating opportunities for regular expert exchange on compliance topics via regular meetings and annual compliance forums.
  • Work closely with the Finance Team on identifying any potential risk exposures and support the development of mitigation action
  • Manage and regularly review the Fairtrade Organization Code
  • Provide regular reports to the Fairtrade International Board and executive leadership team
  • Ensure Fairtrade International Board, executive leadership team, senior management and employees are informed of developments from a regulatory and compliance perspective and ensure implementation of respective policies and procedures in the different units/ entities
     
    Line management
     
    • Maintain and further develop an effective and motivated team
    • Recruit, train, appraise, supervise, support, develop and guide team members
    • Ensure effective management and maintain the well-being of the team

SKILLS REQUIRED

Knowledge / Job Specific Competencies:
  • A minimum of 5 years’ experience in scheme management, certification, including managing a budget (essential)
  • Experience within Fairtrade relevant area (essential)
  • University education in development, economics, business, agriculture or other relevant field (essential)
  • Advanced knowledge of normative context in accreditation, certification, auditing and scheme ownership (essential)
  • Qualification and experience in social, economic, or environmental standard-setting or auditing (essential)
Professional Skill Requirements:
  • Project management skills, including project design, planning and budgeting, and coordination of implementation
  • People connection and social skills including leading, inspiring, motivating and coordinating
  • Analytical, research and presentation skills and structural thinking
  • Excellent cross-cultural communication skills and capacity to make complex issues easily understandable
  • Languages: Fluency in English 
Personal Qualities:
  • Capacity to work independently and self-sustainable
  • Strengths in logical thinking and attention to detail
  • Ability to present results in a simple and understandable way
  • Ability to listen and embrace and balance perspectives of multiple stakeholders
  • Collaborative and team-working approach
  • Motivation for the aims of Fairtrade
PRIMARY RELATIONSHIPS:
 
Within FI the position has primary working relationships with the Legal team, the Standards and Pricing team, the Licensing team. Further relations are with all the Fairtrade member organizations. 
 
The Head will maintain relationships with accreditation bodies, other standard schemes, umbrella bodies such as ISEAL, benchmarking organizations, consultants and with representatives of other relevant partner organizations.
 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

  • This is a full-time position within Fairtrade International
  • Location is at Fairtrade International offices in Bonn, Germany
  • The working language is English
  • Start date: ASAP
  • Salary as per the Collective Bargaining Agreement for the Wholesale and Foreign Trade Industries for North-Rhine Westphalia and Fairtrade International Company Agreement on wages and salaries Group VIb
  • 30 days annual leave and flexible working hours

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.