Certification Lead at ofi

Overview of the Position

• This role involves carrying out the diligent audit preparations, follow ups and tracking for all audits within the sustainability operations of our Cocoa and Cashew sourcing programs.

Responsibilities

• Work with key internal and external stakeholders within the product chain to ensure total compliance with the Rainforest Alliance standards,AtSource, Organic and Fair Labour
• Champion farmer groups preparations for all audits, registration, and follow-up with certification bodies.
• Conduct compliance reviews, general preparedness checks and assessments for all audits.
• Ensure compliance with all Rainforest Alliance standards, core requirements and smart meters, Company procedures and policies, management committee systems.
• Maintain relevant records and documentation of all farmer groups for ease of audit registration.
• Coordinate the purchase, proper use, maintenance, and inspection of necessary assets, equipment and tools required by all farmer groups for audit.
• Promote compliance to international best practices, regulations and standards through continuous checks ongroups.
• Responsible for updating, maintaining, and pre-auditing all farmer groups for compliance using previous audit report and following current standards.
• Investigate all non-compliances to ensure proper root causes are diagnosed and right corrective actions are documented and effected.
• Track and control inventory of all audit stationaries.
• Evaluate the appropriateness of Auditors and certification bodies in line with industry standards and best practices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Sustainability, Agricultural Economics, General Agriculture, or other Social Sciences. Master’s degree preferred.
• 3-5 years work experience auditing Rainforest Alliance, Fair Labour, Organic and At Source.
• Knowledge of ISO 9001, 14001 and 45000 an added advantage.
• Relevant certifications in Auditing – an added advantage.

Requirements and Skills:

• Extensive knowledge of Rain Forest Alliance certification standards, Fair Labour, Organic and At Source.
• Ability to oversee different customer groups with varied audit requirement.
• Working knowledge and skills in Sustainable agribusiness auditing.
• Expert knowledge and applicability of MS office, statistics, data collection and analysis.
• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work with employees and achieve continuous improvement in audit requirements and compliance.
• Excellent problem-solving and analysis skills; able to identify underlying issues and challenges and work collaboratively towards resolution.
• Strong influencing and facilitation skills with a proven ability to convene and reconcile different stakeholder interests and influence towards a common vision.
• Expertise in systems thinking and change management, with experience landing strategic ambitions into concrete requirements that can be taken forward successfully.
• Experience working within an Agile team framework.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to interact culturally, linguistically, and diplomatically laterally and vertically.
• Self-motivated, creative and results-oriented, with a passion for innovation and challenging the status quo.
• Strong rational and emotional intelligence, with a demonstrated ability of calmness.
• Excellent writing, editing and verbal communication skills; and
• Ability to travel within the country.