Quality of Implementation Associate (Cote d'Ivoire)

Position summary:

The Quality of Implementation Associate is responsible for conducting regular field monitoring visits of Rainforest Alliance Certificate Holders (members) to understand their progress in implementing Rainforest Alliance standard requirements.

The Associate will use monitoring visits to identify member’s needs for additional support or to further investigate on key issues including traceability, payment of premium, EUDR, and child labor. The postholder will provide regular reporting on field visits conducted.

This position does not supervise any staff member.

Responsibilities: 

• Conduct regular visits of Certificate Holders (Members) to monitor progress on the implementation of improvement recommendations to close non-conformities identified in audit reports;
• Analyse information collected during field visits to:
  • Identify deviations and ongoing risks in members’ implementation of improvements;
  • Identify members’ needs for further training and support;
  • Identify observations that are inconsistent with the findings in audit reports and alert when there is a need for further investigation;

• Provide regular reports for each visit, including through IT based reporting methods attaching related documents and photographs;
• Schedule and implement regular follow-up visits based on the progress and needs of individual members;
• Support Certificate Holders in the development of their geolocation and farms mapping strategy;
• Collaborate with the country teams, the Assurance department and any other relevant departments to ensure the quality of implementation of Rainforest Alliance rules and standards in addition to the certification procedures and processes, and
• Collaborate with the country teams, the Assurance department, the Training and Certification Partner Support teams and any other relevant departments to propose, design and implement improvements to the certification process and assurance system, and to support the rollout of the new standard and its related procedures.

General

• Develop strong trust relationships with members;
• Maintain contact and/or develop relationship with local authorities (local administration offices and local regulation boards offices) and with partners;
• Represent Rainforest Alliance at the local level when required for relevant meetings and events with members, partners and Certification Bodies; and
• Report regularly on interesting stories (successes and achievements, challenges and actions taken) and on Key Performances Indicators defined together with the management and propose areas of improvement for Rainforest Alliance’s assurance strategy, workplan and tools.

Qualifications: 

• Tertiary level qualification (at least Bachelor + 2/3 years) in a relevant field like agronomy, natural resources, forestry, rural development, sociology and/or economy or related;
• Proven experience (3 years’) working with smallholder producers and/or producer groups and/or community-based organizations;
• Minimum 2 years working experience in the cocoa sector is desirable;
• Knowledge of Rainforest Alliance Certification Programs and his requirements
• Ability to develop and maintain strong relationships of trust and confidence with farmers, farmer organizations and local stakeholders, including ability to adapt appropriately to different cultures, and social contexts;
• Ability to work independently, under pressure and stay focused;
• Ability to analyse and interpret data and information from multiple sources and identify key action points as recommendations;
• Ability to write clear reports and presentations;
• 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 is preferred. Fluency in English is a plus.
• Ability to spend significant time in rural areas and travel frequently to producer groups locally and nationally (a minimum of 70% field-based work per year);
• Willingness and ability to travel internationally occasionally when needed, and
• Strong personal ethics and integrity and commitment to uphold the rules and values of the Rainforest Alliance is crucial.

Job Level: 5

Salary: Commensurate with experience

Deadline: 01 November 2024

Notes: Only candidates authorized to work in San Pedro, Côte d’Ivoire will be considered.

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