Senior Advisor, Accountability Framework initiative (7-month temporary assignment)

Rainforest Alliance • New York, NY

10h

About The Position

This is a 7-month temporary assignment, with an expected 24-hour working week. The Senior Advisor, Accountability Framework initiative (AFi) is responsible for co-designing and implementing technically sound, evidence-driven, multi-stakeholder processes for developing content on supply chain management, sourcing area risk and impact, and human rights within the Accountability Framework. This includes conducting research on the focal topics; defining the scope and value addition of the AFi’s content on each topic; planning and facilitation of stakeholder engagement and consensus-building processes; and drafting precise and pragmatic guidance.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in a relevant field, such as ecology, natural resource management, geography, agriculture, forestry, or environmental policy.
• At least twenty years of professional work experience, including senior roles designing, developing, and implementing voluntary standards and guidelines for sustainable forestry or agriculture.
• Deep familiarity with company practices and systems for assessing and managing the risks and impacts of commodity supply chains on forests and human rights. This includes supply chain due diligence, traceability, chain of custody, certification, monitoring tools and services, and landscape and sourcing area level initiatives.
• Demonstrated success in leading standards or guidance development processes from start to finish, including effective project management, stakeholder engagement, and quality outputs.
• Superior English writing, editing, and communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively with colleagues from diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Self-motivated and able to deliver high quality work products under deadlines.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally up to approximately 15% of the time.

Responsibilities

• In collaboration with the AFi Director and other team members, scope and prioritize new and updated AFi content on specific topics related to supply chain management, sourcing area risk and impact, and human rights.
• For each selected topic, develop and manage the execution of a project workplan including research, stakeholder engagement, writing, review, and approval steps.
• Conduct research through desk review, interviews, assessment of existing practices and innovations, and other methods.
• Design and facilitate working groups and other stakeholder engagement processes to gain expert input and diverse perspectives while building consensus.
• Outline and draft guidance in line with the scope, style, and audience orientation of the Accountability Framework. Refine and finalize guidance considering input from stakeholders and AFi Coalition members.
• Represent the AFi externally as an senior expert in selected events and working processes.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Senior