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Standards Co-ordinator - Responsible Jewellery Council (London)

The Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC)is recruiting for a Standards Coordinator to support their standards development, certification, and monitoring and evaluation activities.

Deadline for Applications: 12 Jan 2012

Location: London, United Kingdom

Responsible Jewellery Council


About the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC)

The Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) is an international not-for-profit organisation established in 2005 that has grown to more than 320 Members. Our mission is to advance responsible business practices, relating to business ethics, human rights, and social and environmental performance, in the jewellery supply chain, from mine to retail. The RJC is run by a small management team (currently 6) who are located in the UK, Italy, Canada and Australia, with a registered office in London. The RJC is directed by an elected Board, with a number of Committees overseeing the various work programs of the Council. 

Our core work relates to the development and operation of voluntary certification standards that apply to the supply chains for diamond, gold and platinum group metals jewellery. The RJC has developed a Member Certification system, which requires independent, third party auditing of Members against the RJC Code of Practices. In 2012, a voluntary Chain-of-Custody Certification system is being launched which aims to support responsible sourcing for interested businesses in the jewellery supply chain. To support these programs, RJC carries out Auditor Accreditation and runs a range of training programs for Members and Auditors to build capacity and support implementation of its standards. Feedback and implementation experience is logged to enable improvement to RJC’s standards programs, and the first formal review of the RJC Code of Practices will commence from mid-2012.

In 2011, RJC joined the ISEAL Alliance as an Associate Member, joining a network of organisations that work together to improve the operation of voluntary standards and certification. In doing so, RJC committed to complying with the ISEAL Codes of Good Practice, including for standards-setting and monitoring and evaluation of impacts. We aim to become a Full Member of ISEAL by June 2012.

Please see www.responsiblejewellery.com for more information.

Role and Responsibilities

The newly created role of Standards Coordinator will support RJC’s standards development, certification, and monitoring and evaluation activities, working out of RJC’s London office. The successful candidate will report to the Director – Standards Development, based in Melbourne, working under the day-to-day supervision of the Administration Manager, based in London.

The Standards Coordinator’s role will cover the following responsibilities:

Standards knowledge:

  • Develop and maintain a comprehensive understanding of RJC’s standards, certification and auditor accreditation functions.

Certification Reports administration:

  • Review and administer routine Certification Summary Reports according to internal procedures.

Monitoring and Evaluation: 

  • Log identified data and indicators in internal databases.
  • Assist with research and analysis of trends, issues and impacts.

Standards Documentation: 

  • Collect and collate information and documented feedback on RJC standards from Members, auditors and stakeholders.
  • Participate in the ISEAL Alliance network to share learning and best practice.

Communications support:

  • Contribute to the development of case studies, reports and updates about standards-related programs.
  • Assist with updating relevant areas of the RJC website.
  • Assist with co-ordination of translations of standards documents.

Backfill for Auditor Accreditation and Training programs, when required:

  • Respond to general enquiries about RJC standards, certification, auditor accreditation and training programs.
  • Assist with training delivery, mainly via webinar, as required.

General:

  • Serve as an active member of the RJC team by contributing to team meetings and planning sessions.
  • Schedule teleconferences and meetings and support preparation of relevant content, as requested.
  • Work in accordance with all RJC policies and procedures.
  • Observe all occupational health & safety, security and equal employment opportunity initiatives to contribute to a safe, healthy and ethical workplace.
  • Other reasonable duties as delegated by the Director – Standards Development.

What We Seek

You have a technical interest in sustainability and/or responsible sourcing standards and understand the voluntary standards landscape. You support responsible business practices and the RJC’s mission for the jewellery supply chain, and are keen to learn the details of RJC’s certification program as a foundation for your role. You can collect and analyse information and use it to identify opportunities for improvements. You are able to summarise and present data and discuss ideas and issues as part of a small group. You have a close attention to detail to make sure key issues are addressed.

You enjoy working as part of a close-knit team and can confidently work on assigned tasks to support team goals. You can keep track of actions, timeframes and priorities and like to complete tasks and projects. You are flexible, willing to take on a range of activities, and occasionally work non-standard hours to accommodate RJC team members in different time zones. You can keep colleagues up to date on progress, as part of a collaborative approach to shared objectives.

Demonstrating good email and phone skills, you are able to work effectively with people at a distance. You are an excellent communicator, including with people for whom English is not a first language. You are happy to write collaboratively as part of an iterative drafting process with colleagues. You can respond professionally to inquiries about RJC’s standards, with the support of colleagues where required, tailoring your communication to suit the audience. In time, you could deliver powerpoint presentations via webinar to assist RJC’s training program.

Selection Criteria

Essential

  • Understanding of sustainable development and/or corporate social responsibility and/or responsible supply chain principles.
  • Understanding of voluntary standards and/or certification and/or auditing principles.
  • Good understanding of data collection, management and analysis.
  • Excellent written and spoken English communication skills.
  • Accurate with excellent attention to detail.
  • Demonstrated computer literacy with Microsoft Office suite, including Word, Excel & Outlook and virtual meeting tools (eg Skype, gotomeeting).
  • Experience working in a multicultural environment, including liaising with people where English is not their first language.
  • Able to prioritise work effectively and to cope with tight schedules in a calm and efficient manner.
  • Experience of working in a small team.
  • Flexibility to allow for occasional travel or variation to working hours to accommodate globally distributed team.
  • Valid visa or work permit for the United Kingdom.

Desirable

  • Knowledge of language/s other than English.
  • Experience working in one of more of the following via internships, studies and/or paid work:
  1. voluntary standards, accreditation or certification organisations;
  2. management systems auditing;
  3. policy development;
  4. diamond, gold or platinum group metals jewellery supply chain, or similar;
  5. membership-based organisation; and/or training delivery.

Other Details

Contract: Intended as a long term position with an initial contract of one year.
Salary: £27,000 pa depending on experience; plus pension of 10% after successful three month probationary period is completed.
Location: London, UK
Responsible to: Director – Standards Development (located in Melbourne)
Working hours: 40 hour work week with hours from Monday to Friday. 
The RJC Team works across the world in different time zones, so evening or weekend work may be required periodically. 
Holidays: 28 days per annum, plus statutory holidays.
Equal opportunity: The RJC is an equal opportunity employer and commitment to this process is expected.
Ideal start date: January 2012

Enquiries and applications to:

Helen D’Ambrosio, RJC Administration Co-ordinator:
helen [dot] dambrosio [at] responsiblejewellery [dot] com
T +44 (0)20 7836 6376
F +44 (0)20 7240 5150

Application deadline: 12 January 2012.

Interviewing will close on Friday 13 January 2012. Interested candidates should apply no later than Thursday 12 January for consideration.