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Program Officer

The organization
IDH, The Sustainable Trade Initiative helps to accelerate and upscale sustainable practices within mainstream international commodity markets, driving sustainability from niche to norm. We build ambitious public-private coalitions of companies, civil society organizations and governments in high-impact programs in order to benefit people, the planet and profit.
Partnering with over 350 companies, 60 NGOs and numerous governmental organizations, IDH is a dynamic organization of about 50 staff members based in Utrecht, The Netherlands, with hubs in Vietnam, Indonesia and other countries. In the last year IDH has expanded its activities and now runs over 100 projects through 18 commodity programs in 50 countries, together with internationally operating companies and implementing partners. Among the commodities IDH focuses on are cocoa, tea, soy, cotton, timber, natural stone, aquaculture and electronics, and new sector programs are in development. Partnering companies have committed to invest in their supply chains to make production and trade more sustainable. IDH receives its funding from the Dutch, Swiss and Danish government.
To support these developments IDH is recruiting a
Program Officer
Job profile
As Program Officer you have the opportunity to contribute to facilitating and driving impact in dynamic sustainable supply chain programs. You will work in teams with a Program Director, Senior Program Manager and Learning Manager in the Tin program and/or agro commodities. Program Officers can also play a role in general IDH projects giving you the chance to experience many sides of the organization.
As Program Officer you help to translate strategic plans and decisions into action and help to ensure that the programs run smoothly. You provide all around key support to the Senior Program Manager and Program Director. IDH is looking for an organized, service-oriented, self-motivated, team player with a strong interest in supply chain sustainability.  You are both analytical and practical, able to work independently and learn fast. Working in a results-oriented, flexible and hands-on manner, you execute given projects quickly and thoroughly.
The vacancy is initially for 1 year, with the opportunity to extend the contract afterwards.

Responsibilities

1. Operational program management

• Responsibility for supporting the development and implementation of the program, including reporting, contract management and development of program pipeline deliverables.  This will be done working closely with implementing partners.
• Responsibility for supporting the program with research, administration and logistics.
• Supports 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.
2. Stakeholder management and networking
• Maintain contacts with existing program stakeholders
• Maintain the program’s network and contribute to further development of the program.
3. Events and workshops
• Support the planning, organization and coordination of events and workshops as required.
Supporting requirements
• Working and thinking at Master degree level.
• 2-3 years working experience in an international environment.
• Knowledge of sustainability, international trade, supply chains and/or agro commodities.
• Experience with stakeholder management.
• Experience with financial administration, budgets and contracts.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially a very good working knowledge of Excel and PowerPoint.
• Active-, service- and detail-oriented, analytical, structured and business minded.
• Self motivated and proactive, sense of humor.
• Excellent spoken and written communication skills in English and preferably in French. Additional languages are an advantage but not required.
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. The position is for 40 hours per week. We offer a gross monthly salary between 2400 and 2600 euro and solid fringe benefits, including a good pension scheme. The position is based in Utrecht, the Netherlands.
Candidates should be EU nationals or have permission to work in the Netherlands.  For more information about IDH, please visit www.idhsustainabletrade.com.
For questions about this position, please contact Claudia Schlangen, Program Officer, at
+31 (0)6 21144975.

Application process
To apply, please submit a cover letter in English explaining your interest and capabilities for the position and your CV/resume to Annemarie Woudstra, HR Officer,woudstra@idhsustainabletrade.com  by 20th July 2014.