Certification expert: certification body management

About UEBT

UEBT is a non-profit association that promotes sourcing with respect for people and biodiversity. We work to regenerate nature and secure a better future for people through ethical sourcing of ingredients from biodiversity. UEBT sets good practices for how companies and their suppliers source specialty ingredients for the food, cosmetics and natural pharmaceutical sectors. UEBT is internationally recognised for its work advancing business contributions to sustainable development goals. UEBT has a team of dedicated professionals in various countries around the world. UEBT strives to be an equal opportunities employer. Please learn more about us by visiting our web site at www.uebt.org and read about our organisational values below.

The UEBT certification team services the UEBT certification programmes: ingredient certification program, UEBT/Rainforest Alliance herbs and spices programme, and the UEBT regenerative programme.

The UEBT certification team is looking for a new team member to support certification body (CB) management and roll out of our protocol for supply chains in high risk conditions in certification programmes. The new team member will report to the UEBT certification lead.

Responsibilities:

  • Further develop the UEBT CB requirements and CB strategy, in close cooperation with the UEBT Assurance Lead.

  • CB management, including the approval of CBs and associated auditors, acting as point of contact for UEBT approved CBs, quality control of CBs and their auditors, in close coordination with UEBT country teams.

  • Develop training materials and deliver CB trainings in collaboration with relevant UEBT teams.

  • Implement UEBT’s protocol for supply chains in high risk conditions in UEBT certification programmes.

  • Coordinate with relevant UEBT teams to deliver high quality services to UEBT clients.

  • Support the UEBT secretariat on all other relevant matters related to certification and supply chain assessments for UEBT projects and members.

Requirements:

  • Around 5-years of work experience in assurance systems of voluntary standards, audit oversight and quality control, and socio-environmental auditing.

  • Auditing experience in agricultural supply chains and/or management systems is an asset.

  • Service oriented, team player with a problem-solving attitude and ability to operate independently.

  • Able to operate in a small organisation with many remote positions and to deal with a wide variety of tasks and responsibilities.

  • Relevant degree. (e.g. in agronomy, quality, responsible business practices, etc.)

  • Fluency in English. Good working knowledge of other languages such as French, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Arabic or Chinese would be highly valued.

Employment is based upon 40 or 32 hours a week. This is a remote position, but is preferably based in Europe, with a preference for the Netherlands where the UEBT secretariat is located (Amsterdam based staff come together one day per week in the office). A valid working permit for EU would be required for candidates based in Europe.

Please apply before 10 January 2025 to info@uebt.org. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, as we will invite candidates for interviews on a continuous basis. If we find the right candidate before 10 January, we will close this vacancy. We regret that we will only be able to contact short-listed candidates.

Please send your application or any questions to info@uebt.org

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UEBT Values

Collaboration 

We support, guide and encourage our partners through our common journey towards sourcing with respect.  We work inside UEBT in collaborative teams and strive to remain connected no matter where we live and work.  We aspire to support each other’s wellbeing and to empower ourselves and others to achieve work-life balance. 

Commitment 

We are deeply involved in our work and passionate about making a positive impact. We do this by providing support and diverse expertise to our partners. We care and are willing to go the extra mile to achieve our goals. Because of our commitment, we strive for relevance and high-quality in the work we produce.    

Impact  

We work to understand and share insights into the real issues. We are pragmatic and context-specific and work with companies to translate commitments into actions that make real and necessary changes in the lives of local people and in biodiversity. 

Inspiration 

We focus on creative, concrete solutions, in a positive and open-minded way. We are supportive of our partners improving their practices, while also striving to inspire other stakeholders.  We encourage our partners to take a new view of, and make commitments for, people and biodiversity.  Within our UEBT teams, we foster safe spaces to find innovative solutions. 

Multiculturalism 

With deep respect for biodiversity that includes humankind, we value multiculturalism.  This means we respect each other and learn from our differences. We value diversity of people and their cultures, including their respective ideas, traditions, values, and ways of knowing and working.  We strive to successfully work across different contexts and cultures. 

Trust 

We work to earn trust, and work purposefully to keep this trust, while remaining solution oriented.  We seek to listen and understand, offering practical tools adapted to the needs of our members and other stakeholders.  In our work across the sector and among our members, we work to build overall trust and to be seen as a credible and reliable partner.