Client Manager

IOAS is seeking a Client Manager/Evaluator to join its team

The IOAS is a non-profit organisation based in North Dakota, USA with offices also in Argentina, Brazil, Germany, Slovenia, Spain and the United Kingdom. We work solely in the field of assessment of bodies engaged in inspection and certification of organic and sustainable agriculture, environmental management, food safety, social justice and fair trade. Our work in oversight of conformity assessment assists in the development of various private and regulatory schemes by enhancing fairness for producers and building trust in ‘eco-labels’ by consumers.

We work with an increasing number of scheme owners (COSMOS, Canada Organic Regime, European Commission, GOTS, Textile Exchange, IFOAM, NATRUE). The accreditation and assessment services we provide cover organic agriculture, sustainable agriculture, organic textiles, organic and natural cosmetics, recycled products, animal welfare claims, food safety, fair trade and social standards.

The day-to-day work (including assessment visits) is performed by 12 staff with support from a number of contracted assessors and technical experts. The staff are overseen by an 8-member international Board elected to represent a balance of interests and geography. A similarly balanced, international Accreditation Committee is responsible for accreditation decisions. For more information, please visit www.ioas.org.

As a result of adding new schemes and expanding workloads in 2017 the IOAS is appointing an additional full-time Client Manager to join the current team to assist in implementing conformity assessment activities in organic agriculture and related areas.

THE POSITION

1. The Client manager (CM) is appointed by the Executive Director and reports to the Programme Manager. The CM assists the Programme Manager in all aspects of the processing of applications for accreditation/assessment and is responsible for the administration of selected clients which may be active in a number of schemes.

2. Duties:  The Client manager (CM) will have day to day responsibility for processing of applications for accreditation, including:

-  the conducting of document screening reports;

-  identification of non-compliances;

-  organisation of evaluation visits;

-  conducting on-site visits;

-  the assessment of the visit report;

-   monitoring of corrective actions taken by the certification bodies and the processing of the accreditation decision to the point of contract signing.

3. Additional duties in assisting in the functions of ongoing monitoring of compliance of accredited programmes will include:

-  the assessment of annual returns,

-  conducting annual surveillance visits,

-  the organising of re-evaluation visits.

4. The CM will be required to conduct some evaluation visits. Other travel obligations include periodic training sessions and occasional participation in trade shows. Travel commitment is estimated at around 70 days per year and any one period of travel is likely to be no more than 1-2 weeks.

5. The CM may also have the opportunity to assist in procedural and policy development or to undertake general developmental tasks.

REQUIREMENTS

The successful applicant is likely to have a degree level qualification in agriculture or food related topics or have experience in such industries in quality related roles. Specific experience in the organic and sustainability sector and in some aspect of conformity assessment (inspection, certification, accreditation) is necessary. Also desirable would be qualifications and/or experience in food safety, social compliance, aquaculture, textiles, cosmetics, good agricultural practice or ethical trade. IOAS is especially interested in candidates with qualification and/or experience in food safety and social compliance. A track record of working internationally in different cultural environments would be an asset. Due to its increased activity in North America, IOAS would especially welcome applicants from North America.

Applicants must be able to work on their own as well as part of a team and show good attention to detail. Fluency in English is essential and at least one other language highly desirable as is a willingness to travel extensively, sometimes off the beaten track. Unless the successful applicant wishes to work in our North Dakota office, they will be expected to work from their own office which will require good communication links and good internet speeds.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Successful applicants based in the USA will be hired as full employees with benefits. Persons from outside the USA will be self-employed under long term contract. Self-employed persons will be expected to provide their own office equipment although all consumables will be covered by expenses. The salary will be fixed in the home currency in line with experience taking into account the local salary rates and comparative cost of living with a figure equivalent to US$40,000 plus benefits (US based) or US$45,000 (non-US based) being used as a guide.

Anticipated starting date: July 2017.

If interested please submit a letter of application with a curriculum vitae to Susan Hepper at hepper@ioas.org at the latest by April 7, 2017. If you want more information or wish to discuss the position in more detail you may send an email to the IOAS Assistant Executive Director (Business), Maxime Sizaret at sizaret@ioas.org.