Regional Coordinator PSR (West and Central Africa) FLO

Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International

Accra, Ghana

UNIT: Producer Services & Relations (PSR)

REPORTS TO: Head of Africa and Middle East PSR

OVERVIEW:

Fairtrade is an alternative approach to conventional trade and is based on a partnership between producers and consumers. Fairtrade offers producers a better deal and improved terms of trade. This allows them the opportunity to improve their lives and plan for their future. Fairtrade offers consumers a powerful way to reduce poverty through their every day shopping.

Fairtrade International (FLO) is the international non-profit, multi stakeholder body that is responsible for the strategic direction of Fairtrade, sets Fairtrade standards and supports producers.

The Producer Services and Relations (PSR) unit at Fairtrade International is responsible for enabling Fairtrade producers to have access to the services they need to benefit from the growing market by:

• Providing direct services to producers to help them achieve and maintain Fairtrade Certification;
• Working with the producers to design their own business and development plans to maximize their ability to benefit from Fairtrade;
• Identifying and developing opportunities to expand the scope and impact of Fairtrade services through locallybased partners, especially Producer Networks;
• Responding to the needs of the Fairtrade system for information and services by providing these services directly or linking to partners who can provide them more effectively and at lower cost;
• Maintaining and seeking continual improvement in quality, transparency and accountability of all producer services;
• Improving understanding of the organization’s impact, both internally and externally, through monitoring and evaluation processes and feedback of such work into continual improvement programs.

OBJECTIVE/PURPOSE:

The Regional Coordinator West and Central Africa of Producer Services & Relations is responsible for managing activities of the region on behalf of PSR, including assuring that services are delivered in line with the PSR operating model in the region. The Regional Coordinator is accountable for:

• Delivery of services towards producers and members of the Fairtrade System within the four service categories as defined in the PSR operating model in the agreed amount and with the agreed resources for the region;
• Engagement with key external partners;
• Management of relations of the region to other units within FLO and FLO-CERT;
• Management of relations with members regarding producer services in the regions (Labelling Initiatives and Producer Networks);
• Annual planning process for the region and optimal use of resources and oversight of quality control of services;
• Participate in/ manage projects relevant to PSR.

PRINCIPAL ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Planning and reporting

• Ensure appropriate planning and time usage across 4 producer service categories through Quarterly Work planning and report on time usage for each category on a quarterly basis to Regional Head;
• Ensure accurate reporting of time allocated to providing different services (as defined in Services Framework) in quarterly work planning/visit reports and report on time usage on a quarterly basis to Regional Head;
• Produce quarterly activity report including summary of situation in the region including producer group numbers, overall economic and political situation, key PSR activities and other activities being delivered by partners to support Fairtrade producers;
• Maintain an accurate, up to date list of initial, applicant and certified producers in the region based on input from FLO-CERT;
• Develop consultancy tenders for Liaison Officers, coordinate the contracting of consultants, train and coordinate consultants to deliver high-quality service delivery.

Certification advisory services to producers

• Monitor effective resource allocation according to producer and system priorities for the region as approved in annual plan;
• Identify and establish relationships with local partners, also based on input from Liaison Officers and use the partnership toolkit to support delivery of these services, in particular raising awareness of the FT system and standards;
• Ensure good delivery by Liaison Officers in the region.

Product and Trade Related Services and Services for Other System Functions

• Manage system requests for services:
  • Receive requests for services from system and interpret best option to deliver either through PSR, Producer Networks or Partners
  • Develop project plans for delivery of services to the system (Labelling Initiatives, Networks) or external entities
  • Track real cost of delivering services (time and monetary) to FLO units, LIs and external partners and ensure allocated to appropriate cost code and provide summary to Regional Head on quarterly basis
• Establish objectives, process and quality baseline for each service to be delivered to the system through partners.

Business and Development Services

• Input into development of targeted, prioritized projects which are going to take place in or are relevant to their areas including supporting fundraising efforts for projects;
• Participate in/ manage projects if relevant to their area of operation (e.g. services related to climate change mitigation);
• Ensure Liaison Officers support of targeted, prioritized projects being delivered through partners;
• Flag potential partners to deliver targeted, prioritized projects to Partnerships manager or to agreed contact person within FLO;
• Undertake such other tasks that are consistent with the level and responsibilities of this post.

SKILLS REQUIRED:

Level of education

• University level education (or equivalent) in a relevant subject (Business, Agronomy etc.) or similar skills;

Knowledge/Job Specific Competencies

• 1 – 3 years professional experience, preferably in a multi-cultural environment;
• Experience of working in the Region and with the culture;
• Technical knowledge of the products, agriculture and trade;
• Small Business development experience;
• Experience working in or with Fairtrade or with related standards, certification or development programs.

Professional Skill Requirements

• Fluency in English;
• Fluency in French;
• Proficiency in at least one other of the primary languages of the region.

Personal Qualities

• Demonstrable ability to drive forward work on own initiative and lead;
• Demonstrated relationship building skills;
• Excellent communication skills and ability to inspire and motivate others;
• Strong sense of responsibility for deliverables and timelines and ability to drive others towards to achieving agreed targets.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

• This is a full-time position;
• An initial one-year contract is offered. It is envisaged that the contract will be renewable after the initial one year period;
• Location is at FLO office in Accra, Ghana;
• The working language is English;
• Starting date as soon as possible.

APPLICATIONS:

• Please consult www.fairtrade.net for more information on FLO eV and its members;
• Please apply by email only, in English, with Curriculum Vitae and motivation letter to applications@fairtrade.net, citing Regional Coordinator West and Central Africa in the subject line;
• Deadline for applications is 30th December 2011.

Please note that FLO is strict on compliance with the required qualification criteria mentioned above, and only those candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.