Certification Coordinator and Auditor (UK and Ireland)

Location:      United Kingdom.  Position based at the NEPCon office in London.

Details:          12 months - with a view to becoming permanent.  Full time position.

Start Date:    Immediate

Summary of Position:

The Certification Coordinator will support the coordination and execution of FSC & PEFC Chain-of-Custody (CoC) certification services and will conduct FSC and PEFC CoC evaluations. 

You will primarily be responsible for day-to-day oversight, coordination and administration of our certification clients in the UK and Ireland.  You will be directly involved in all technical and administrative aspects of CoC certification evaluations including scheduling, project management, customer service, oversight of contract auditors and quality control.  You will support market development for NEPCon certification services and the execution of sales and business targets for the region.  Additionally, you will support the administrative and technical execution and coordination of new NEPCon services in the UK and Ireland.

Responsibilities and Tasks:

Primary

• Act as Lead Auditor on selected Chain of Custody evaluations;
• Support the coordination and execution of CoC evaluations in the UK and Ireland including budgeting, creating service contracts, logistical planning, supporting consultants, liaising with clients and finalizing and reviewing reports;
• Develop and implement evaluation schedules and ensure timely and efficient completion of these;
• Ensure efficiency, quality control and adherence to NEPCon’s technical and administration certification protocols;
• Provide customer service to current and potential clients of NEPCon in the UK and Ireland to include, but not limited to, providing information about certification, technical guidance on interpretation of certification standards and the certification process and trademark use;
• Develop strong technical expertise in Rainforest Alliance, FSC and PEFC policies, standards and protocols;
• Contribute to developing and executing client sales strategies for the UK and Ireland regions.
• Support the administrative and technical coordination and execution of new NEPCon services in the UK and Ireland

Secondary

• Conduct presentations; attend meetings and other events as a representative of NEPCon.  Assist with the organization and facilitation of training courses to promote NEPCon, Rainforest Alliance, FSC and PEFC certification and other services;
• Provide input for policy development and technical improvements to the certification and internal systems;
• Manage questions and disputes relating to active certification evaluations and clients consistent with NEPCon, FSC and PEFC policies;
• Provide periodic progress reports and;
• Other duties as assigned.

We are looking for:

Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in fields related to Forestry, Forest Products, Natural Resources Management, or similar;
• At least 2 years professional experience, preferably in forest products industry, forestry, or related field;
• Environmental/quality management system experience a plus;
• Knowledge of FSC/PEFC/ISO certification an advantage;

Skills & Personal Characteristics:

• Excellent customer service skills;
• A professional, diplomatic and tactful approach is essential;
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail;
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Ability to juggle multiple projects simultaneously;
• Ability to be flexible and take initiative in a changing and fast-growing environment;
• Strong level of computer literacy
• Preferably, excellent verbal and written communication skills in at least one other European language;

Also Essential:

• Willingness to travel approximately 30% of time within UK and Ireland.  Some European travel required.
• Belief in the mission and activities of Rainforest Alliance/NEPCon and forest certification as a means to improve the state of the world's forests essential.

We offer:

• An exciting and challenging position within a dynamic and innovative international organisation working hard to address the issues in relation to the forest products industry and global challenges problems of forest loss and degradation.  The position is linked inextricably to the mission and activities of NEPCon and the belief that forest certification and verification systems offer an important means to improve the situation of the world's forest resource.
• Salary commensurate with qualifications and performance.
• Good opportunities for growth and professional development.
• International training in certification services provided by Rainforest Alliance/NEPCon

About Nature Ecology, People Consult (NEPCon)

NEPCon is an international non-profit organization working to encourage and support sustainable land use worldwide. Our core competence area is currently the forestry and timber sector where we work primarily through various certification services. FSC and PEFC certification of forest management and the timber supply chain are the primary NEPCon services in this area. We work with system-accredited partners – the Rainforest Alliance for FSC certification services and BMG Trada Certifiering for PEFC.

Managing the Rainforest Alliance’s comprehensive SmartWood program in Europe, we also offer Rainforest Alliance timber legality verification, carbon forestry project verification and other services. NEPCon is a fast growing organization, and we are currently developing our range of services further into other business areas associated with sustainable land use. Our service portfolio currently covers close to 20 million hectares of certified forest and more than 1,000 certified clients in the timber supply chain. Our clients are located in more than 30 countries.

By joining NEPCon, you will be part of a mission-driven, friendly international community. The working atmosphere is informal, dynamic, open-minded, and highly appreciative of innovative ideas that promote our mission and goals. The challenges and diversity of our work as well as our staff policy provide ample opportunity for professional and personal development.

From our office in London, we cover both the UK and Republic of Ireland. Our team consists of engaged and largely self-managing staff and consultants. More information about NEPCon is available at www.nepcon.net.

About Rainforest Alliance

The Rainforest Alliance is an international non-profit organization that works to conserve biodiversity and ensure sustainable livelihoods by transforming land-use practices, business practices and consumer behaviour.  It is based in New York City, with offices throughout the United States and worldwide.

To further its efforts to promote sustainable forestry worldwide, the Rainforest Alliance provides forest management (FM) and chain of custody (CoC) certification and verification services. CoC certification verifies the flow of certified forest products through the supply chain, from the forest to the point of sale, assuring consumers and forest product companies that the wood they buy comes from certified or legally verified forests.  Furthermore, RA provides other services such as the verification of legality for forest products, forest-carbon services and sourcing assistance for the consumer end of the supply chain.  More information about RA is available at www.rainforest-alliance.org.

To apply/additional information:

Email your covering letter with expectations and CV, no later than 18th March 2011:

To: David Hadley dhg@nepcon.net
Cc: Peter Sorensen ps@nepcon.net