Standards & Assurance Manager

Beyond Beans Foundation is dedicated to developing, organizing and implementing projects across ETG’s commodity supply chains in collaboration with other companies, NGOs and government agencies. We aim to boost innovation and deliver maximum benefits for the farming communities and landscapes that form the backbone of our rapidly expanding supply chains.

We believe that the world of today has the knowledge, people, and tools in place to build profitable and self-sustaining cocoa communities, where farming is regarded as a respected profession and sustainable entrepreneurship is the norm. Beyond Beans aims to be a catalyst in achieving this vision, by connecting the right stakeholders and introducing innovative solutions from other sectors to the cocoa supply chain.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Standards & Assurance Manager

Location: Akure, Ondo

The Job

• We are looking for a Standards and Assurance Manager at our office in Akure to help implement and activities related to the different standards or certification programmes, Rainforest Alliance, Fairtrade, Cocoa Horizons and Beyond Beans standards, in our supply chain in Nigeria.

Key Activities and Responsibilities
Certification:

• Ensure that all certification documentation required by our clients is obtained from our groups and partners
• Continuously look for synergies and improvement opportunities among the S&A team and with the broader team
• Keep yourself updated on all certification’s standards regulation for a full compliance within the supply chain
• Monitor the progress of all certification processes steps of your team
• Lead the Standard and assurance up-country team to successfully and effectively execute to the achievement of RA, FT and BB certificate holder’s certification.
• Develop in collaboration with your IMS team workplans, reports and assist them on developing best practice for the field staff.
• Develop & standardise all needed process, documentations/training manuals to comply with standards regulations with collaboration of the Global Supply chain Manager
• Update the internal Certification Status overview on a weekly basis and ensuring key updates are shared with the Country Representative and Global Supply chain Manager
• Carry out a risk assessment by group
• Work closely together with the M&E and Information Management Team to standardise data collection activities, to:
  • Collect 100% of polygons
  • Collect traceability data
  • Develop, pilot and scale best practices on digitizing standardised data collection, (GMR, Internal surveys, etc..)
• Ensure full compliance of our supply chain with our clients’ requirements

Leadership & Management:

• Ensure a good collaboration within the cooperative with all verticals
• Ensure S&A teams receive appropriate objectives & review their performance during the year as per their grade
• Ensure compliance with all relevant laws and regulations locally as well as with company policy
• Provide strategic leadership and direction to the S&A team as per the Client & Programme Targets + Objectives set by the organisation, ensure they have the resources and support needed to achieve their goals, and that they get the support from Global Supply Chain Manager & Country Manager where required
• Develop and defined all S&A staff roles (IMS Officers, Documentation officers, Field Officers, Enumerators)
• Always ensure full staff safety by providing the need equipment and tools.
• Build and maintain a strong, motivated team that can deliver high-quality work, and ensure that team members have the necessary training and development opportunities to enhance their skills and knowledge

Finance & Budget:

• Get needed Approval of Operational Expenses, Procurement of Items, etc.
• Drive & Ensure compliance with laws and company procedures e.g., fraud prevention.
• Send S&A Funds request no later than the 15th of every month
• Manage S&A budget as a gatekeeper, ensuring that resources are allocated effectively and efficiently to achieve the desired outcomes
• Send S&A Expense Report not later than three days after the month’s end
• Design the annual budget for the crop season

Additional Responsibilities:

• Conduct a study on pesticide use and the management of pesticide packaging amongst the groups of farmers where we carry out our certification activities
• Carry out mapping activities with conventional EUDR suppliers in collaboration with the M&E team
• Conduct EUDR and Pesticides internal audits in collaboration with M&E
• Train conventional EUDR suppliers on traceability and related controls.

Qualifications and Experience

• A Master’s Degree in Agricultural development, Environmental science, or other related disciplines
• A passionate and ambitious worker
• Solid understanding of on the ground (local) realities within the respective Country of Operation or similar
• Good communication and inter-personal skills
• Excellent communication and advocacy skills, and the ability to effectively represent the organisation in meetings and events
• At least 5 years of experience in managing agricultural related standards in cocoa, coffee, or cashew (preferably cocoa). Experience in RA certification programme or any other standards is a requirement
• Self-starter and strong all-round mentality with a willingness to execute simple tasks as well as manage big portfolios
• Innovative and driven to continuously improve our projects and procedures.
• Proven planning and organisational skills
• Fluency in English and fluency in French an advantage.

What We Offer

• You will learn about the newest tools and programs to bring a positive change to cocoa farmers’ livelihoods and environment. Work status 40 hours per week on-site.
• You will be part of a fast-growing organization and broad network with excellent future career opportunities. We offer substantial freedom in your work, engagement in a broad range of sustainability topics, and personal development opportunities.