Assurance and Capacity Manager (12-months contract)

Job Title: Assurance & Capability Manager (Maternity Cover)

Contract Type: Fixed-term (with potential for a permanent role).

Location: UK, Chicago (IL), Switzerland. Candidates must have a working visa in the country in which they are living. Remote working with occasional travel.

Duration: 12 months, with potential for an extension or permanent role.

About Us: The Sustainable Agriculture Initiative Platform (SAI Platform) is a global, non-profit organisation leading the food and drink industry?s transition to sustainable and regenerative agriculture. With 190 members spanning the value chain, from farmers to retailers, and strategic partners, from academia to NGOs, SAI Platform plays a vital role in convening stakeholders and facilitating the meaningful dialogue required to transform the global food and drink industry to source and produce more sustainably.

The Opportunity: We are seeking a dynamic and motivated Assurance & Capability Manager to join our team on a maternity... cover contract for 12 months. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to SAI Platform?s industry-leading solutions and programmes, which play a crucial role in shaping the future of sustainable agriculture. Although this position is initially offered as maternity cover, there is a strong possibility for a permanent role based on performance and evolving business needs.

Key Responsibilities: In this role, you will support the Farm Sustainability Assessment (FSA) Director and the wider SAI Platform Secretariat to deliver critical services that enable our programmes to grow and scale effectively. Your responsibilities will include: ? Assurance Management: Managing the assurance program for the Farm Sustainability Assessment (FSA) and supporting the development of the verification protocol for the Regenerating Together Framework. ? Workstream Facilitation: Organizing and facilitating the Assurance Workstream, ensuring robust verification and assurance processes for new claims within the FSA system. ? Training Material Development: Developing training content for FSA users and auditors for two new modules: Regenerative Agriculture (Regen Ag) and the European Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (EUCSDDD). ? Guidance and Support: Guiding members on the verification process, and claims they can make using the FSA system while ensuring static content stays up to date. ? Communications: Assisting members in sharing their FSA experiences through case studies to promote the FSA to new audiences. ? Vendor Management: Managing third-party service providers responsible for training, and oversight of verification bodies, and auditors. ? Relationship Management: Maintaining strong relationships with verification bodies via our Verification Body Community of Practice. ? Event Coordination: Assisting in the organization and delivery of key events, such as the FSA Community of Practice Meeting. ? Project Management: Overseeing expert consultants working on auditing processes, guidance materials, and communications.

About You: To be successful in this role, you will need:
? Experience Level: A minimum of 3 years? experience, preferably within food supply chains or sustainable agriculture, with knowledge of voluntary sustainability schemes.
? Project Management Skills: Proven ability to manage projects in a multi-stakeholder environment and build consensus across diverse groups.
? Communication Skills: Experience in developing guidance and communications material and the ability to manage events and facilitate workshops.
? Technical Knowledge: Familiarity with assurance processes, verification bodies, and sustainability standards, with the ability to guide members on compliance and best practices.
? Self-Motivation: Strong ability to work independently in a remote setting with a virtual team.
? Public Speaking Skills: Experience presenting to stakeholders and facilitating discussions.
? Education: An MSc in a relevant field (preferred but not essential).
? Languages: Fluency in English is required.

Why Join Us? At SAI Platform, you will be at the heart of efforts to transform global agriculture towards sustainability. You will have the opportunity to work with industry leaders, shaping the future of agricultural supply chains while helping farmers and companies adopt more sustainable practices. This role offers the potential for career growth, including the possibility of transitioning to a permanent position based on performance and business needs.

How to Apply: To apply, please send a CV (no more than two A4 pages) and a one-page cover letter to jrushton@saiplatform.org, with the subject line: 'SAI Platform Assurance & Capability Manager.' For any inquiries regarding the position, please email jrushton@saiplatform.org

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