China Project Officer

JOB TITLE:  TFT China Project Officer

LOCATION: Beijing – with some travel within PRC and in SE Asia.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 16^th March 2012

START DATE: As soon as possible

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS: Native Chinese speaker required - Proficiency in English is essential (speaking, writing, reading)

TERM: Two year (renewable) contract with annual review and an initial 3-month probation period.

GROSS SALARY/BENEFITS: Depending on experience and qualifications.

BACKGROUND/GENERAL DESCRIPTION

TFT is a global non-profit membership organisation that helps companies and communities deliver responsible products. Since 1999, TFTs main focus has been to provide solutions to the issue of deforestation and the empowerment of forest dependent communities. TFT has helped companies transform their supply chains and stop forest destruction. Through the same model, TFT has involved institutional donors and individuals looking to build capacity on the ground thus giving communities and local companies the tools to provide responsible products to world markets. Now with 90 employees and offices in 14 countries, TFT is working on a broad range of products using its supply chain expertise to identify and address social and environmental issues with a strong focus on natural resource management and traceability.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS

1. Collaborate with current TFT staff to deliver strategies and work plans for advancing the production and availability of responsibly-produced products in China.
2. Map supply chains and evaluate material sources against legality requirements, FSC requirements, Responsible Sourcing Guidelines (RSGs) and TFT principles.
3. Deliver management and training recommendations for companies working toward compliance with RSGs or relevant certification, etc.
4. Meet with TFT member representatives and their suppliers, monitor progress toward meeting RSGs, and provide technical support as required.
5. Maintain supplier files for TFT members with complete information about key commitments made toward RSGs, work plans or agreements, etc.
6. Monitor progress on work plans and commitments.
7. Liaise with local organisations and consultants as required to promote and achieve TFT principles.
8. Draft regular reports, meeting documentation and communications between TFT China and TFT’s head office in Switzerland.
9. Deliver workshops, seminars or other events to raise awareness and address supply chain concerns.

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

1. Bachelor degree or higher in natural resource management, forestry, agriculture or related field. An advanced degree would be an advantage.
2. Ideally with at least five years professional work experience in natural resource management or supply chain management or quality assurance within associated fields.
3. Understand current issues relating to natural resources, both globally and within China.
4. Demonstrated ability to understand technical, environmental and social requirements.
5. Demonstrated ability to work with businesses on management, supply chain and certification issues.
6. Working knowledge of MS Office.
7. Proficiency in English and Chinese (speaking, writing and reading).
8. Ability to work independently and in a small team.
9. Ability to prioritise and organise own work schedule.

OTHER INFORMATION

Final salary and benefits to be agreed based on experience.

The China Project Officer will report to the TFT Country Head (China).

 What we offer:

• Unique work experience in a fast-growing and dynamic charity organisation, directly impacting on the conservation of the world’s environment and climate change, through trade.
• A dynamic international environment with the chance to work in a multi-cultural team.
• Opportunity to gain advanced project management, client relations and business development skills, with exposure to many diverse tasks.

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Candidates interested in the position should send a covering letter and their curriculum vitae (including two references and contact details) in English by email to hr@tft-forests.org. Please indicate the Job Code CHPO0312 in the subject line of your email. The application deadline is 16^th March 2012.

Candidates meeting all of the above criteria will be contacted for initial screening by telephone. Short-listed candidates will undergo interviews in Beijing immediately following the application deadline.