Project Officer

IMPORTANT:  This Advertiser has requested that applicants MUST be National Residents / Valid Work Permit-holders.  Other applicants need not apply.

 

VACANCY 1: Project Officer

LOCATION: Crassier, Switzerland

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 20 January 2013

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS: Fluency in English required and proficiency in French desirable

BACKGROUND/GENERAL DESCRIPTION

TFT is a global non-profit membership organization that helps companies and communities deliver responsible products. Since 1999, TFTs main focus has been to provide solutions to the issues of deforestation and the empowerment of forest dependent communities. We help companies transform their timber supply chains and stop forest destruction. Today TFT also works with small and large companies that source a wide range of raw materials such as palm oil, wood pulp, sugar, and timber among others. Our teams bring a range of support across the supply chain and to ensure materials are traceable and to address social and environmental issues embedded in their production. Currently TFT has 100 employees and offices in 12 countries. Our passion is to support companies to positively change the story we are currently writing for the planet.

TFT is seeking a passionate, enthusiastic and motivated individual to join the team based in Crassier, Switzerland. The candidate shall have a minimum of five years of professional experience, with preference given to individuals who have spent a large proportion of their professional career in the developing world. He/she should have a strong natural resource management background and ideally an understanding of supply chain issues. Individuals that have experience working with/or for the private sector will also be viewed favorably.

KEY ROLES

• Ensure delivery of donor and member requirements in line with client expectations and those of TFT
• Support business development opportunities with new companies to join other TFT members in bringing transparent, responsible, deforestation-free products to market
• Build strong relationships with a diverse group of stakeholders active across TFT’s product group foci including NGOs, governments and donors
• Be a key contact between assigned members and TFT
• Develop member-related communication tools and documents
• Conduct targeted research on priority new business areas as required
• Liaise with TFT field teams to implement work plans and support the occasional on-the-ground assessment

Education, Qualifications, Skills, Experience

Required:

• Good understanding and clear passion for environmental and social responsibility issues;
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills as well as a demonstrated strength as a team player;
• University degree or higher-level qualification in natural resource management (forestry, agronomy etc);
• A minimum of 5 years’ work experience with preference given to those that have spent a significant part of their professional career working in a developing country;
• A good understanding of supply chains and sourcing issues;
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and work autonomously;
• Fluency in written and spoken English (other additional languages especially French an advantage);
• Ability to work within a multidisciplinary and multicultural team;
• Willingness and ability to travel nationally and internationally;
• Flexibility, ability to show initiative and a positive attitude;
• Eager to continually learn and develop as part of a team;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) required to enable completion of daily tasks as well to facilitate reporting, project management, internal communications etc.;
• Only candidates with Swiss or EU nationality or valid Swiss work permit will be considered.

 

Preferred:

- Experience in business development;

- Experience in Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives;

- Knowledge of commodity trading and/or certification.

 

OTHER INFORMATION

Salary and benefits to be agreed based on experience.

What we offer:

• Unique experience in a fast-growing and dynamic business-minded charity directly and positively impacting the environment and climate change, through trade;
• A dynamic international setting and 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;
• Potential to travel to additional project sites – we are currently working in countries across Asia, Africa and South America.

Candidates interested in the position should send a covering letter and curriculum vitae in English (including three references and contact details) by email to hr@tft-forests.org. Please indicate the Job Code HQPO0113 QHQ0113in the subject line of your email.

The application deadline is 20 January 2013.

Candidates meeting all of the above criteria will be contacted for initial screening by telephone. Short-listed candidates will undergo interviews as soon as possible.