Cotton Programme Assistant

Solidaridad is an international network organization consisting of nine regional expertise centres located around the world (South and South-East Asia, Andes, South America, Southern Africa, East and Central Africa, West Africa, China, Central America, North America, and the Netherlands) each with their own specific expertise and focus.

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 stakeholders and engage them in innovative solutions to improve production, ensuring the transition to a sustainable and inclusive economy that maximizes the benefit for all.

Globally, Solidaridad works across 13 commodities / sectors. Cotton is one of them.

In the Netherlands, Solidaridad focuses on the five core activities of corporate engagement, policy influencing, fundraising, knowledge management & learning, and communication & campaigns, with a growing European scope.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Cotton Programme Assistant will contribute to the cotton programme in Europe and globally, working closely with the Cotton Programme Senior Manager, as well as other colleagues in the Netherlands and cotton programme managers globally.

The Cotton Programme Assistant will work across all aspects of programme management:

• Support corporate engagement activities – i.e. support account management
• Support fundraising activities – e.g. proposal development, donor reporting
• Contribute to communication activities
• Contribute to the programme’s knowledge management globally
• Support meeting preparations and processes and follow up on action points as required
• Prepare presentations
• Provide translation support when necessary
• Maintain programme management electronic system
• Other tasks as agreed upon with the Cotton Programme Senior Manager

CANDIDATE’S PROFILE

• Affinity with the vision and mission of Solidaridad
• Commitment to sustainability with an understanding of international development and corporate social responsibility
• Knowledge of, or demonstrated strong interest in, the cotton sector
• Willingness to learn “on the job” on all aspects of programme management
• Learning agility
• Service-oriented and team player
• Excellent organizational skills
• Accuracy and attention to detail
• Pragmatic, flexible and autonomous (i.e. capable of prioritizing and managing own workload, asking for support as required)
• Ability to connect and work with people from all backgrounds and cultures
• Bachelor's or Master’s degree in a relevant discipline, such as economics, international affairs, business or public administration
• Professional fluency in English and Dutch
• Basic financial literacy
• Full IT proficiency (Word, Excel, Power Point, experience with salesforce or other CRM system)

WORKING ARRANGEMENT

• A six-month contract for 32 hours per week (with intention for prolongation)
• Salary: based on BBRA 9
• Location: Utrecht, The Netherlands
• Reporting to: Cotton Programme Senior Manager
• Travel: some national and international travel
• Desired start date: 4 January 2016

WHAT DO WE OFFER?

An opportunity to:

• Gain experience in programme management
• Gain knowledge about the cotton sector and sustainable fashion
• Work in an inspiring, value driven and innovative organization
• Work with an international and dedicated network of professionals

APPLICATION PROCESS

Do you recognize yourself in the candidate profile?

Then send a one-page motivation letter and a two-page maximum CV in English tovacatures@solidaridad.nl, and state “Application Cotton Programme Assistant” in the subject line by 11:00 CET on Friday, 4 December.

The interviews will be held in the week of 14 December 2015.

Please address any questions you may have about this vacancy tovacatures@solidaridad.nl.