Senior Programme Manager Cotton

Solidaridad is an international organization with ten regional expertise centres dedicated to responsible food production to feed the growing world population and to provide the world with an alternative to fossil fuels like oil and gas. Solidaridad envisions a world in which all we produce, and all we consume can sustain us while respecting the planet, each other and the next generations. We bring together supply chain actors and engage them in innovative solutions to improve production, ensuring the transition to a sustainable and inclusive economy that maximizes the benefit for all. See more at: http://www.solidaridadnetwork.org

We are looking for a:

Senior Programme Manager Cotton

Together with a team of programme managers, you will drive our sustainable fashion programme in Europe. You will develop and maintain partnerships with relevant players in the fashion sector, including brands and retailers and funders/investors. You will be part of a small team and expected to take on different types of work. You will actively work with our colleagues in overseas offices to provide linkages to projects and programmes that structurally improve the social and environmental impact of cotton cultivation and processing. You are willing to support in coordinating and project management activities with internal and external stakeholders.

You have a clear and inspiring vision on improving the impact of sustainable fashion markets through market incentives and you are able to translate this vision into action. You are capable of working with people that have different professional and cultural backgrounds. You have a thorough understanding of corporate social responsibility as well as the trends and dynamics in the international fashion market.

Responsibility
The senior programme manager implements the cotton programme in Solidaridad the Netherlands and liaises with network colleagues around the world to coordinate his/her input in the global programme.

Responsibilities include:

• Relationship development and management with corporate partners, programme financers and other relevant stakeholders;
• Contribution to the multi-annual strategic plan of the fashion department within Solidaridad Europe
• Contribution to the multi-annual strategic plan of the global cotton/textile programme within Solidaridad Network
• Driving interventions in multi-stakeholder settings (i.e. BCI, MADE-BY, SAC, TE) that create more favourable conditions for market-based sustainability enhancement;
• Relationship management (including reporting and presentations) with donors and fundraising, both public and private;
• Feeding into Solidaridad communications to internal and external stakeholders inside and outside the scope of sustainable cotton;
• Initiating and developing innovative sustainable cotton (and textile) projects with partners and Solidaridad Network offices in relevant countries.
• Facilitating learning and exchange within Solidaridad Network on cotton (and textiles) related topics
• Supporting the International Programme Coordinator Cotton/Textiles with strategic information

The senior programme manager will report to the head of the fashion team of Solidaridad the Netherlands.

Candidate's profile

• 7 to 10 years of relevant working experience in either corporate social responsibility/sustainability, or procurement, preferably in the fashion sector;
• Master's degree in a relevant discipline, such as economics, international affairs, environmental studies, business or public administration, etc.;
• Thorough understanding of sustainability issues related to fashion (with special attention to sustainable cotton such as organic/Fair Trade cotton, BCI), and a vision on possible intervention strategies and change agents in relation to market development;
• Demonstrated ability to deal with various stakeholders, e.g. business, NGOs, donors, governments;
• Fluency in English and Dutch;
• Affinity with the goals of Solidaridad, service-oriented, team player, enterprising, pragmatic, flexible, sensitive to cultural differences, and with good communicative skills;
• Working experience in cotton/textile producing countries is appreciated.

What do we offer?

• A unique and challenging job in an inspiring and international setting;
• An opportunity to work with an innovative and dedicated network of professionals on all continents;
• A one year contract (with intention for prolongation), salary based on BBRA 11, 4 days/week;
• The position implies international travel.

Next step
Do you recognize yourself in the candidate profile? Then send your one page motivation letter and two page resume in English to vacatures@solidaridad.nl, and state "application senior programme manager cotton" in the subject header. The closing date for this vacancy is 3 June. The first round of interviews will be planned on 11+12 June.

For more information about Solidaridad and our cotton programme, please visit our website www.solidaridadnetwork.org. Questions can be addressed to Nelleke Wollenberg, by e-mail (Nelleke.wollenberg@solidaridad.nl) or phone (+31 (0) 30 272 03 13).