Situated along the Gulf of Guinea, the West African country of Ghana has a total forest area of approximately 22.7 million acres (9.2 million hectares), which represents about 40 percent of its total land area. Though the dominant forest formation is savanna woodlands, some tropical high forest still exists, mostly in the southwestern part of the country. The total remaining closed forest area covers some 21 million acres (8.5 million hectares) and contains as many as 225 types of mammals and 728 bird species, including seven threatened species. There's also a high degree of butterfly endemism, meaning that these species exist nowhere else in the world.
What remains of Ghana's tropical high forest is highly fragmented. Only about 4.4 million acres (1.8 million hectares) are well conserved, nearly all of which is classified as forest reserve. This puts tremendous pressure on the remaining off-reserve areas of high forest, where more than half of Ghana's annual timber production takes place.The Rainforest Alliance is an international nonprofit organisation that works to conserve biodiversity and ensure sustainable livelihoods by transforming land-use practices and consumer behavior. Based in New York City, with offices throughout the United States and worldwide, the Rainforest Alliance works with people whose livelihoods depend on the land, helping them transform the way they grow food, harvest wood and host travellers.
Sustainable Agriculture Auditing Services (SAAS) – a programme of the Rainforest Alliance’s sustainable agriculture division – audit farms to the standards of the Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN) in countries where the SAN has no other inspection bodies. SAAS works closely with Sustainable Farm Certification Intel. a SAN authorised certification body, in Costa Rica.
Job Description
Title: Certification Services Associate, West Africa – Sustainable Agriculture Auditing Services, Sustainable Agriculture Division
Reports to: Customer Service Co-ordinator, Africa and Asia Pacific – Sustainable Agriculture Auditing Services, Sustainable Agriculture Division
Location: Accra, Ghana
Position Summary:
The Certification Services Associate will ensure the timely and professional implementation of all Rainforest Alliance’s agriculture auditing processes in West Africa. She/he will be the primary contact for farmers, companies and auditors operating in the region. In close co-ordination with the Customer Service Co-ordinator, she/he will promote the certification programme by cultivating new and existing relationships with farmers and companies. She/he will also be responsible for carrying out audit processes.
Cultivate new and existing relationships with farmers, companies, auditors and other stakeholders in West Africa
Provide up to date and informative certification-related information to interested parties
Oversee the application and swift execution of all audits services in West Africa;
Review and approve applications, develop audit quotations (to be approved by the supervisor) and provide quotations and invoices to clients
Develop service agreements, audit plans and obtain client’s approval
Define and co-ordinate audit logistics, including auditor selection and contracting;
Gather audit reports to ensure prompt review and distribution;
Ensure payment of the auditors;
Maintain Rainforest Alliance audit management database with timely entry of audit milestones and required documentation;
Administer and handle audit-related appeals, suggestions and complaints from clients, staff or other parties
Ensure compliance and adherence to the quality systems as required by Sustainable Farm Certification, Intl;
Co-ordinate with SmartWood Africa Co-ordinator to achieve cross programme efficiencies in Rainforest Alliance audit management and customer service; and
Other tasks as assigned
Salary: Commensurate with experience
Required Skills or Experience
Bachelor’s degree required
4-6 years of experience in delivering client services
International experience with an agricultural and.or environmental NGO preferred
Strong written and verbal communication skills in French and English
Strong computer skills (Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and general working knowledge of the Internet and web-based skills)
Creative, energetic with outstanding interpersonal skills
Ability to related to farmers, NGOs and companies across various cultures
Strong organisational skills with high level of attention to detail; and
Willingness and ability to travel up to 15% of the time
Only candidates authorized to work in Ghana will be considered
How To Apply
Ghana: Send resume, cover letter and salary history to:
Rainforest Alliance
Box KA 9714
Airport
Accra-Ghana
Email: ghanapersonnel@ra.org. If emailing, use the following format in the subject line: first name and last name, job title of position you are applying for.
Offer valid till: 17 May, 2011
No comments:
Post a Comment