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: Manager, Africa and South Asia, Sustainable Agriculture Auditing Services – Sustainable Agriculture Division
Reports to: Managing Director – Sustainable Agriculture Division
Location: Accra, Ghana
Position Summary:
The Manager, Africa and South Asia, SAAS, will be responsible for overseeing the staff and the day-to-day operation of SAAS and SmartWood in Africa and South Asia, including audit services, finance, quality and systems and producer relations. In co-ordination with the Sustainable Agriculture Division and Sustainable Forestry Division teams, She/he will further develop strategic growth plans for certification in the region and oversee their implementation. She/he will also play a key role in expanding audit capacity. She/he will manage a team of three, based in the United States, Ghana, and Cameroon and work closely with independent auditors.
Provide strategic guidance to Rainforest Alliance auditing in Africa and South Asia working to develop an effective service delivery platform;
Establish and meet certification targets
Identify and increase the pool of qualified auditors, consultants and assessors, and conduct auditor training
Ensure that local auditors and consultants follow the Rainforest Alliance technical and administrative certification protocols
Ensure all auditing is conducted in compliance with ISO17020 quality standards and additional requirements (SAN or FSC)
Undertake audits, incorporating and evaluating trainee auditors
Perform technical review of audit in the region to ensure sufficient communication with clients, appropriate deployment of auditing teams, prompt response to inquiries, and excellent service
In consultation with the Sustainable Value Chains and Sustainable Landscapes programmes, develop and implement certification strategies for multinational producing and/or buying companies
Support the annual budgeting and mid-year re-forecasting for the region; review quarterly budgets and accounts receivable reports
Co-ordinate with the 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
Degree in Agriculture, Natural Resources Management or related field
At least 7 years of direct work experience with first-hand knowledge of the concepts of sustainable agriculture
Experience with certification systems (Rainforest Alliance Certified TM, organic, or FSC) preferred
Strong written and verbal communication skills in English and French; Spanish a plus
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 35% 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
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