ISEAL Alliance

FLO are currently looking for a new head of PSR (Producer Services and Relations Unit), a department responsible for delivering agreed strategic objectives relating to improving the lives of the disadvantaged and marginalised producers.

Deadline for Applications: 20 Aug 2010

Location: Bonn, Germany

Overview

Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International (FLO) unites the producer-, market- and business-facing activities within the Fairtrade Labelling system. FLO develops the Fairtrade Standards; promotes the empowerment of Fairtrade certified producers by supporting them in gaining and maintaining Fairtrade Certification and capitalizing on market opportunities; and facilitates global Fairtrade markets, to optimise benefits for producers.

The Producer services and Relations (PSR) department at FLO is responsible for ensuring that Fairtrade Labelling
delivers its agreed strategic objectives relating to improving the lives of disadvantaged and marginalised producers by –

• Translating the agreed Fairtrade Labelling strategy into robust and properly resourced operational plans (including clear objectives, outcomes and performance indicators) that enable development to happen through Fairtrade and maximise development impact
• Shaping and delivering a range of services and support programmes (such as technical, market and financial advice) that helps build the capacity of producers and assists them to enter and remain in Fairtrade
• Maintaining and seeking continual improvement in quality, transparency and accountability of all producer facing operations
• Identifying and developing opportunities for others to participate in the realisation of Fairtrade development objectives - particularly southern based
• Improving understanding of the organisation’s impact, both internally and externally, through monitoring and evaluation processes and feedback of such work into continual improvement programmes PSR’s work is targeted in three regions: Latin America, Asia and Africa/Middle East. To support the implementation of our work in the regions, FLO PSR now seeks to hire an experienced Head of PSR Asia

Principal Roles and Responsiblities

PSR Strategy and Operations

• Build, refresh and implement the continental strategy in line with PSR strategy and organization’s goals and ambition
• Establish and strengthen partnerships with organizations throughout the region, independently and together with Regional Coordinators and Field Staff. Coordinate relevant partnership activities with Partnership Manager and/or Director for partnerships with organizations that extend beyond the region
• Contribute to the continued development and strengthening of PSR and FLO
• Forward key strategic issues to the Director and top management as necessary. Respond proactively in face of crises to manage for the best outcomes
• Lead special projects to further the work of the PSR and the Region as appropriate
• Represent Director at Regional and Global events as agreed
• Lead global producer partnerships as agreed

Region Management

• Recruit and Lead the Regional Team to achieve PSR and FLO objectives.
• Establish and manage priorities for all other work of Regional Team
• Manage the annual budget for the Regional Team. Support PSR Director to establish the annual budget for the Regional Team
• Follow up and implement decisions taken jointly or by the PSR Director which affect the Region.
• Manage relations and act as the conduit for information and strategic input from the region to other departments within FLO and FLO-CERT (new product development, standards, pricing, new markets, global product management, strategy and policy, communications, etc.)
• Engage with key external partners as appropriate: Labelling Initiatives, companies, NGOs, unions, etc.
• Determine funding requirements for the region, work with PSR Director to obtain priority funding and manage/support donor-relationships as necessary.
• Oversee the collection, analysis and dissemination of product information from the region and the related markets for products outside of the responsibility of the Global Product Management unit.
• Manage the relationship with the Fairtrade Producer Network for the region, including communicating plans, seeking input, designing collaborative projects where appropriate and supporting the network’s activities as agreed.
• Develop specialized strategies as appropriate to the regional issues (trade unions, gender, child labor, climate, etc.)
• Track and manage regional and topical risks to Fairtrade and its stakeholders

Skills Required

• University level education (or equivalent) in a relevant subject (Business, Agronomy etc.)
• 3 - 5 years management experience, preferably in a multi-cultural environment
• Demonstrated leadership and relationships building skills
• Fluency in English. Proficiency in at least one of the primary languages of the region is an asset
• Experience in the Region and with the culture
• Excellent communication skills and an ability to inspire and motivate others
• Technical knowledge of the products, agriculture and trade
• Small Business development experience
• Experience working in or with Fairtrade or with related standards, certification or development programs
• Demonstrable ability to drive forward work on own initiative and lead

Terms and Conditions

• This is a full-time position.
• Location is at FLO eV offices in Bonn, Germany
• The working language is English
• Salary: 3,974.19 Euros per month
• Starting date: 15 September 2010 or as soon as possible
• 30 days annual leave per annum
• FLO is an equal opportunity employer; persons from the global South are specifically invited to apply

Applications

• Please consult www.fairtrade.net for more information on FLOeV and its members
• Please apply by email only, in English, with Curriculum Vitae and motivation letter to applications [at] fairtrade [dot] net, citing Head of PSR Asia in the subject line
• Deadline for applications is 20 August 2010

Please note that FLO is strict on compliance with the required qualification criteria mentioned above, and only those candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.