WWF Standards and Certification Manager -Market Transformation Initiative (MTI)

Standards and Certification Manager

In collaboration with other Network Initiatives, Programmes and WWF Offices, the Market Transformation Initiative (MTI) catalyses change in the most globally important business sectors to measurably reduce environmental impacts on WWF key biodiversity places and drive up supply and demand for sustainable goods.

Market Transformation is not just about changing companies or supply chains, it is also about changing the way we think... about Everything!

JOB DESCRIPTION

Position title: Standards and Certification Manager
Market Transformation Initiative (MTI)
Geographic scope: Global
Reports to: Leader MTI
Location: WWF NL, WWF SWITZERLAND, WWF INTERNATIONAL, WWF GERMANY, WWF UK
Supervises: 1. Consultants and project teams
2. Standards and certification, coordinator (parttime) based in CH
Date: August 2012

I. Mission of the Initiative:

The Market Transformation Initiative’s strategy aims to mobilize key companies and actors in commodity supply chains to reduce the most important production impacts and to change related supply and demand. The key companies that control 70% of global supply chains include processing companies, commodity traders, manufacturers and retailers and banks, many of whom are global companies or brands. By working with them to show that commodities can be produced at affordable costs with measurably reduced environmental impacts, and by creating a significant demand for such products, markets can be “tipped” and large-scale, positive environmental and social outcomes delivered.

The 2020 goals of the Initiative are:

• WWF Priority Places: Acceptable standards are met by more than 75% of global purchases of WWF priority commodities sourced from WWF Priority Places; and
• Rest of the World: Acceptable standards are met by more than 25% of global purchases of WWF priority commodities.

Multi-stakeholder Sustainability Initiatives (MSIs) are global fora that bring many of the key players on both the production and buying sides of a given commodity supply chain together with WWF and other Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). The primary goal of these initiatives is to set voluntary production standards for members to follow. These standards aim to improve the sustainability of a commodity’s production by reducing environmental and social impacts.

II. Role:
The Standards and Certification Manager is a member of the global MTI core team. S/he is responsible for the planning, coordination and implementation of actions of ten MSIs initiated and supported by MTI. In carrying out this role, the Manager works closely with, supports and facilitates the work of lead staff who are based in different offices and work on MTI priority commodities and MSIs. More information available at: http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/how_we_work/businesses/transforming_markets/.

III. Main Functions:

• Manage WWF’s action towards implementation of MTI priority commodities and related MSIs.
• Ensure the consistency of WWF action in standard-setting and certification.
• Represent WWF in relevant internal and external bodies.

IV. Main Duties and Responsibilities: Manage WWF’s action towards implementation of MTI priority commodities and related MSIs.

• Facilitate the completion and operationalisation of strategies for MTI priority commodities in close collaboration with designated commodity lead staff
• Monitor and report on progress against 3 year objectives and 2020 goals and recommend changes to work plans as appropriate
• Develop and implement tools and projects related to the uptake, effectiveness and impact of different MSIs
• Build WWF capacity in Standards and Certification by delivering trainings
• Contribute to, and where necessary lead, fundraising efforts and communications at commodity and MSI level.

Ensure the consistency of WWF action in standard-setting and certification.

• Coordinate the activities of WWF internal working group on standards and certification and implement WWF’s overall strategic framework for engagement in MSIs
• Drive lessons learning and knowledge management across commodities and MSIs
• Facilitate and support WWF corporate engagement staff, as well as other WWF programmes and offices, in dealing with technical and strategic issues of relevance to MSIs and standards
• Contribute to WWF policy positions relevant to MSIs.

Represent WWF in relevant internal and external bodies

• Act as WWF spokesperson on standards and certification at the international level (e.g. ISEAL representation)
• Engage in specific roundtables or dialogue discussions as appropriate
• Engage in relevant WWF internal working groups and bodies to ensure consistency in WWF positioning and messaging on standards and certification

Profile:

Required Qualifications and Experience:

• Relevant academic qualifications (agri business, economics, social & life sciences)
• 7 years relevant professional experience at the international level
• Expertise in sustainability challenges in international supply chains, commodity standards, certification and labelling

Required Skills

• Effective coordinator and motivator, as well as team builder
• Strategic, holistic and pragmatic thinker
• Good negotiation and mediation skills with ability to align the WWF network with diverse position statements;
• Good communicator
• Excellence in English; other languages an asset;

Behavioural competencies

• Adheres to WWF’s values, which are: Passionate & Optimistic, Challenging & Inspiring, Credible & Accountable, Persevering & Delivering Results.

Working Relationships:
External – Represents WWF towards bodies of importance to commodity standards and certification, and supports staff working with strategic companies, relevant roundtable processes, and other NGOs and governments.

Internal - Works closely with the MTI Leader, the Core team and sector and commodity lead staff, and other WWF offices and Programmes to implement the MTI strategy on MSIs

Travel:
National and international travel is required on a regular basis – up to 25% of time. Every effort will be made however by the Manager to limit travel through the effective use of virtual meeting technologies e.g. webex, video-conferencing, etc.

WWF has a policy of measuring and setting reduction targets for its carbon footprint related to travel.

This job description covers the main tasks and conveys the spirit of the sort of tasks that are anticipated proactively from staff. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary according to organizational need.


For background information on the Initiative go to: www.panda.org/markets


Applications should be addressed to Elllen Kloosterman, WWF-Netherlands Human Resources Department before 30 September 2012 (earlier if possible). ekloosterman@wwf.nl