Senior Program Manager

The world is changing rapidly. Front-running companies are advancing their competitiveness by making sustainability their core business. The IDH Sustainable Trade Initiative helps to accelerate and upscale sustainability within mainstream international commodity markets. We build ambitious public private coalitions of companies, civil society organizations and governments and high-impact programs in order to benefit people, planet and profit.

We are currently implementing the Sustainable Trade Action Plan 2011-2015, signed by more than 70 internationally operating companies and 23 civil society organizations. The companies have committed to invest in their supply chains to make production and trade more sustainable. Current programs include cocoa, tea, soy, cotton, timber, natural stone, aquaculture and electronics, while new programs are in development.

IDH is a dynamic organization of about 45 staff members based in Utrecht, the Netherlands. In the last year IDH has scaled up and launched several new commodity sector programs.

For the implementation of the Aquaculture program and one other program, IDH is recruiting a

Senior Program Manager

Job profile

Reporting to the Program Director, this role has four key areas:

1. Responsibility for the management of a sector program, developing and implementing IDH strategies for commodity market transformation.
2. Responsibility for the development and support of relevant international sector alliances that will enable the acceleration of sustainable change.
3. Responsibility for liaison with Program, Learning and Operational teams ensuring effective working and efficient outcomes. 
4. As directed, to take responsibility for the implementation of policies for human resources, including recruitment, induction and performance management.

Core Job Functions

1. Strategic program development

• Responsible for ensuring the creation and alignment of constructive relationships with program stakeholders to support IDH strategic aims.
• Contributes constructively to policy development and strategic planning
• Identifies problems, taking corrective actions based on experience and strategic reflection
• Leads the Program Review and planning process of the program.
• Ensures the effective and proper integration of the program activities within the strategic approach set by the Management Team

2. Operational program management

• Responsibility for ensuring the development and implementation of the program
• Responsibility for monitoring progress and reporting on outcomes
• Ensures that data and information produced by the organization’s partners relating to output, outcome and impact is reliable and credible.
• Responsibility for the organization of input from the program partners to enable Operations to run the required program administration and reporting. This includes the development of performance indicators for the management of program pipeline deliverables.

3. Stakeholder management

• Responsibility for the proactive management of the sector network of stakeholder contacts on all levels, individually and collectively
• Responsibility for the accountability of the stakeholders in relation to the objectives, plans and yearly results.  
• Responsibility for liaison with the Management Team to ensure a consistent approach to stakeholder management that is embedded within IDH strategy

4. Networking

• Responsibility for the maintenance and expansion of the IDH network and donor base, supporting colleagues doing similar work and contributing to the further strategic development of IDH.
• As directed, responsibility for sharing knowledge and outcomes externally from the organization through events and congresses.

5.  Human Resources (HR)

• As directed, responsibility for the ability, motivation and permission that drives the performance of named members of the Program team.  This includes building their confidence, influencing their behaviour and delivering effective performance management.

Requirements

• 5+ years of relevant working experience as a change agent in agro-commodities, preferably seafood.
• Senior qualities and weight in market outreach work in Europe/ globally (retail, A-brands, food service and importing traders).
• Strategic insight into demand side of the (seafood) value chain dynamics.
• Commercial insight into the business case for private sector companies.
• Track record as dealmaker and change agent.
• Working and thinking at Master degree level.
• Fluency in English (verbally and in writing) and preferably in another language.

Competencies

• Deal-making
• Proactive and result-driven
• Ability to inspire and lead
• Creative and strategic thinker
• Connector and networker
• Good relationship manager
• Determination and perseverance

Terms and conditions
IDH offers a challenging position with opportunities for growth within an enthusiastic and passionate team.  As an IDH team member you can contribute to positive global change.  We offer a monthly gross salary between € 3.800 and € 5.500 per month, based on 40 hours per week, and solid fringe benefits, including a good pension scheme. The position is for 32-40 hours per week. Candidates should be EU nationals or have permission to work in the Netherlands.  For more information about IDH, please visitwww.idhsustainabletrade.com.

For questions about this position, please contact Esther Luiten, Senior Program Manager, at +31 (0)6 148 11 394. Interested candidates should send their CV and application letter (in English) to Annemarie Woudstra, Human Resources Officer,woudstra@idhsustainabletrade.com. Closing date for the vacancy is September 11^th, 2013.

IDH, The Sustainable Trade Initiative

Nieuwekade 9

PO Box 19219

NL-3501 DE Utrecht

www.idhsustainabletrade.com