Programme Coordinator African Eco-labelling Mechanism
Project/Field of Activity
The African Union (AU), UNEP and UNECA in cooperation with the African Roundtable on Sustainable Consumption and Production (ARSCP) and African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO) have launched the development of the African Eco-labelling Mechanism (AEM). The German Federal Ministry of Environment, Nature Protection and Nuclear Safety (BMU) has provided funding for the initial phase of the institutionalization of the AEM within the framework of the Task Force on Cooperation with Africa founded in the course of the Marrakech Process. The implementing agency for this Project Phase of the Mechanism is GIZ in close cooperation with ARSO. The AEM Secretariat has been set up and is hosted by ARSO. AEM’s governance structures comprising of an Executive Board, a Technical Board and Sector Working Groups are being established. One of the main project objectives is to develop an African sustainability standard on which Benchmarking and a certification process with an Eco-label will be based on. Another main task will be to define a viable strategy to ensure long-term financial self-sufficiency of the AEM. The marketing of the eco-label in cooperation with international partners will be another decisive task of the project. Finally, the project aims at developing the capacity of African accreditation and certification bodies and facilitating access of producers to certification.
Responsibilities
You will act as deputy to the Executive Manager and cooperate closely with the other project staff and the officer responsible for the contract and cooperation at GIZ’s Kenya office to ensure the project’s success and the achievement of the objectives agreed upon with BMU and the AEM Executive Board.
You will support the project’s steering and implementation and its coordination with regional and national authorities as well as Sector Working Groups. You will be responsible for the management of project activities as well as the project’s monitoring and evaluation. Furthermore, you will cooperate closely with the advisory team from the responsible department at GIZ headquarters, which supports the design of the initiative and in particular the development of the standards and benchmarking system and the design of the marketing strategy.
To ensure the long-term viability of the AEM programme it is highly desirable that you develop a commitment to the AEM beyond the project phase.
Qualifications
You have a Master’s degree in agricultural, political, social, economic or environmental sciences and you have already gained at least 5 years of professional experience. You have proven your excellent management skills in international projects and you are a committed team player. You have excellent communication skills, you are accustomed to act in a diplomatic and sensitive manner in a multicultural working environment and you are able to adjust to multiple demands and shifting priorities. Sound knowledge and ideally experience in advising or developing voluntary sustainability standards would be an asset and you should be perfectly acquainted with the diverse cultural backgrounds on the continent. Proficiency in English is required and fluency in French is an asset.
African candidates are highly encouraged to apply.
Duration
June 2011 until March 2013.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
The African Union (AU), UNEP and UNECA in cooperation with the African Roundtable on Sustainable Consumption and Production (ARSCP) and African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO) have launched the development of the African Eco-labelling Mechanism (AEM). The German Federal Ministry of Environment, Nature Protection and Nuclear Safety (BMU) has provided funding for the initial phase of the institutionalization of the AEM within the framework of the Task Force on Cooperation with Africa founded in the course of the Marrakech Process. The implementing agency for this Project Phase of the Mechanism is GIZ in close cooperation with ARSO. The AEM Secretariat has been set up and is hosted by ARSO. AEM’s governance structures comprising of an Executive Board, a Technical Board and Sector Working Groups are being established. One of the main project objectives is to develop an African sustainability standard on which Benchmarking and a certification process with an Eco-label will be based on. Another main task will be to define a viable strategy to ensure long-term financial self-sufficiency of the AEM. The marketing of the eco-label in cooperation with international partners will be another decisive task of the project. Finally, the project aims at developing the capacity of African accreditation and certification bodies and facilitating access of producers to certification.
Responsibilities
You will act as deputy to the Executive Manager and cooperate closely with the other project staff and the officer responsible for the contract and cooperation at GIZ’s Kenya office to ensure the project’s success and the achievement of the objectives agreed upon with BMU and the AEM Executive Board.
You will support the project’s steering and implementation and its coordination with regional and national authorities as well as Sector Working Groups. You will be responsible for the management of project activities as well as the project’s monitoring and evaluation. Furthermore, you will cooperate closely with the advisory team from the responsible department at GIZ headquarters, which supports the design of the initiative and in particular the development of the standards and benchmarking system and the design of the marketing strategy.
To ensure the long-term viability of the AEM programme it is highly desirable that you develop a commitment to the AEM beyond the project phase.
Qualifications
You have a Master’s degree in agricultural, political, social, economic or environmental sciences and you have already gained at least 5 years of professional experience. You have proven your excellent management skills in international projects and you are a committed team player. You have excellent communication skills, you are accustomed to act in a diplomatic and sensitive manner in a multicultural working environment and you are able to adjust to multiple demands and shifting priorities. Sound knowledge and ideally experience in advising or developing voluntary sustainability standards would be an asset and you should be perfectly acquainted with the diverse cultural backgrounds on the continent. Proficiency in English is required and fluency in French is an asset.
African candidates are highly encouraged to apply.
Duration
June 2011 until March 2013.
How to apply
Applications (together with detailed curriculum vitae, copies of academic certificates and references including day time telephone contacts) should be sent to arso@arso-oran.org and copy to aem@giz.deOnly shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
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