Community Support Coordinator

Background Information
About ISEAL:
ISEAL is an international non-profit organisation that codifies best practice for the design and implementation of social and environmental standards systems. ISEAL shapes the context in which voluntary standards systems operate, by defining what good practice looks like for the sector, as well as through influencing how external stakeholders think about and engage with credible voluntary standards systems.

At the core of the ISEAL Alliance is a network of organisations that work together to improve the operation of voluntary standards and certification. Our members include most of the leading social and environmental standards systems worldwide (e.g. Forest Stewardship Council, the Marine Stewardship Council, and the Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International). They are supported by a wide range of organisations, from research institutions to capacity building organisations to certification bodies, who participate in the ISEAL Alliance as affiliates. Collectively, this diverse group of actors makes up the ISEAL Community. Community participants cooperate on technical and policy-related issues through workshops, field projects and knowledge exchange, building on our recently developed online learning community. We are actively seeking new members and affiliates and are drawing up an expanded programme of activities to support them.

What We Offer:
This position offers an excellent basis to develop your skills and knowledge of voluntary standards and sustainability and could lead to a more programmatic role in this sector. It will bring you in contact with our member organisations as well as help you learn about technical content and wider developments in the world of sustainability and social and environmental standards.
You will be responsible for guiding applications and renewals for the network of organisations and individuals that participate in ISEAL’s Learning Community. As a small network, we offer the potential to help create a more coordinated and vibrant community of organisations that are learning from each other and helping to improve the social and environmental impacts of the voluntary standards movement. You will also administer our Independent Evaluation Mechanism in which technical experts will assess member compliance with our Codes of Good Practice.

In addition to the above, this position will include support to other ISEAL programmes and additional coordination of the ISEAL Community, including the staging of our annual conference which brings together organisations from all over the world. You will provide programmatic support functions to technical projects like our Assurance Code development project. We expect that this position will grow over time to encompass other programme responsibilities and support to our members and affiliates.

What We Seek:
Coordinating our community of members and affiliates require someone with excellent organisational and administrative skills. You like to take a systems approach to your work and to be organised and efficient. You have the ability to create effective systems for managing and building a complex environment and are comfortable working on multiple projects simultaneously.

As the first point of contact in ISEAL for new organisations, you are good with people and are confident reaching out to new contacts across continents and cultures. You are comfortable eliciting information from people about their work. You have had previous experience coordinating or working on complex projects, either in a professional or voluntary capacity.

You are outgoing and confident and have gained experience working, interning or volunteering with a non-governmental or professional organization, ideally one centered on a sustainability mission. Importantly, you have a reasonable knowledge of voluntary standards and certification, potentially through experience interacting with one or more ISEAL Alliance members.

You are enthused by the prospect of helping to build the profile and impact of a small (13 staff) organization with a global reach. You have an interest in voluntary standards, want to learn more about credible standards systems and how they work, and are committed to improving the social and environmental impacts of the voluntary standards movement.

How to Apply:
Interested candidates should submit a current CV and a statement explaining how they meet the selection criteria for the position to recruitment@isealalliance.org.

The deadline for receipt of applications (by email) is 16 March 2011. Shortlisted candidates will be notified the following week and interviews in London are planned for the week commencing 21 March 2011.

If you have not heard from us by the above date, your application will, unfortunately, not be progressed. However, we do thank you for your interest in working for the ISEAL Alliance.

For specific enquiries, candidates may contact Alke Horn, HR & Operations Manager (e-mail: alke@isealalliance.org , Tel: 0203 246 0066).

Other Relevant Information:
Term: This is intended as a long term position with an initial contract of one year
Time: 100%, full time
Salary: £24,500-29,500 based on London appointment, to be negotiated based on experience and responsibilities

Working Hours: Based on a full time equivalent of 37.5 hours per week. The ISEAL Alliance operates a Flexible Working Policy and is happy to consider applications for flexible working once the probation period has been successfully completed.

Location: ISEAL’s head office is in London where this position will be based.

Status: The candidate must be eligible to work in the UK
International Travel: The post holder may be required to undertake occasional international travel including overnight stays.

Annual Leave: 25 days per annum (including office closure between Christmas and New Year)
Equal Opportunities: The ISEAL Alliance strives to be an equal opportunities employer and commitment to this process is expected.
Ideal Start Date: May, 2011

For more information and the full job description, go to:
http://www.isealalliance.org/vacancies/community-support-coordinator-london-iseal-alliance