Standards and Assurance Manager at Beyond Beans Foundation

The Job

• We are looking for a Standards and Assurance Manager at our office in Akure to help implement and activities related to the different standards or certification programmes, Rainforest Alliance, Fairtrade, Cocoa Horizons and Beyond Beans standards, in our supply chain in Nigeria.

Key Activities and Responsibilities  

Certification:

• Ensure that all certification documentation required by our clients is obtained from our groups and partners
• Update the internal Certification Status overview on a weekly basis and ensuring key updates are shared with the Country Representative and Global Supply chain Manager
• Keep yourself updated on all certification’s standards regulation for a full compliance within the supply chain
• Ensure full compliance of our supply chain with our clients’ requirements
• Develop & standardise all needed process, documentations/training manuals to comply with standards regulations with collaboration of the Global Supply chain Manager
• Lead the Standard and assurance up-country team to successfully and effectively execute to the achievement of RA, FT and BB certificate holder’s certification.
• Develop in collaboration with your IMS team workplans, reports and assist them on developing best practice for the field staff.
• Continuously look for synergies and improvement opportunities among the S&A team and with the broader team
• Monitor the progress of all certification processes steps of your team
• Carry out a risk assessment by group
• Work closely together with the M&E and Information Management Team to standardise data collection activities, to:
  • Develop, pilot and scale best practices on digitizing standardised data collection, (GMR, Internal surveys, etc..)
  • Collect 100% of polygons
  • Collect traceability data

Leadership & Management:

• Develop and defined all S&A staff roles (IMS Officers, Documentation officers, Field Officers, Enumerators)
• Ensure S&A teams receive appropriate objectives & review their performance during the year as per their grade
• Ensure compliance with all relevant laws and regulations locally as well as with company policy
• Provide strategic leadership and direction to the S&A team as per the Client & Programme Targets + Objectives set by the organisation, ensure they have the resources and support needed to achieve their goals, and that they get the support from Global Supply Chain Manager & Country Manager where required
• Build and maintain a strong, motivated team that can deliver high-quality work, and ensure that team members have the necessary training and development opportunities to enhance their skills and knowledge
• Ensure a good collaboration within the cooperative with all verticals
• Always ensure full staff safety by providing the need equipment and tools.

Finance & Budget:

• Design the annual budget for the crop season
• Manage S&A budget as a gatekeeper, ensuring that resources are allocated effectively and efficiently to achieve the desired outcomes
• Get needed Approval of Operational Expenses, Procurement of Items, etc.
• Send S&A Funds request no later than the 15th of every month
• Send S&A Expense Report not later than three days after the month’s end
• Drive & Ensure compliance with laws and company procedures e.g., fraud prevention.

Additional Responsibilities

• Conduct a study on pesticide use and the management of pesticide packaging amongst the groups of farmers where we carry out our certification activities
• Conduct EUDR and Pesticides internal audits in collaboration with M&E
• Carry out mapping activities with conventional EUDR suppliers in collaboration with the M&E team
• Train conventional EUDR suppliers on traceability and related controls.

Qualifications and Experience

• A master’s degree in Agricultural development, Environmental science, or other related disciplines
• At least 5 years of experience in managing agricultural related standards in cocoa, coffee, or cashew (preferably cocoa). Experience in RA certification programme or any other standards is a requirement
• Proven planning and organisational skills
• Good communication and inter-personal skills
• Innovative and driven to continuously improve our projects and procedures.
• A passionate and ambitious worker
• Self-starter and strong all-round mentality with a willingness to execute simple tasks as well as manage big portfolios
• Excellent communication and advocacy skills, and the ability to effectively represent the organisation in meetings and events
• Solid understanding of on the ground (local) realities within the respective Country of Operation or similar
• Fluency in English and fluency in French an advantage.