Better Cotton Initiative

Social-Labour Coordinator

Background
Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) has been established to respond to the impacts of cotton cultivation. BCI aims to promote measurable improvements in the key environmental and social impacts of cotton cultivation worldwide to make it more sustainable, economically, environmentally and socially.

BCI endeavours to initiate global change in the mass market, with long-term benefits for the environment, farmers and other people dependent on cotton for their livelihood.

BCI's approach is to define 'Better Cotton' by establishing global principles, criteria and enabling mechanisms that are applied through regionally specific implementation strategies and tools. BCI will use regionally-based indicators to measure the impact of the implementation strategies and tools, as well as the overall success of BCI. 'Better Cotton' is being defined through a collaborative multi-stakeholder approach that leverages the commitment of global buyers of cotton and/or cotton products to demand large and increasing amounts of 'Better Cotton'

Leading participants in the BCI Steering Committee (SC) are adidas, H&M, Gap Inc., IKEA, ICCO, International Federation of Agricultural Producers, International Finance Corporation, Organic Exchange, Oxfam, Pesticide Action Network UK, and World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).

BCI's philosophy is to develop a market for a new mainstream commodity, where the boundary of its work is at the farm gate. BCI will not directly address global policy & trade issues, and focuses on building capacity rather than policing. BCI is not designed with certification or a product label in mind, and is complementary to organic and Fairtrade cotton. BCI will engage with all stakeholders that are in support of BCI's vision, mission, approach and philosophy.

This approach of being both regionally-focussed as well as consultative means that it is important for BCI to maintain a ‘local’ presence, so as to maintain close and regular contact with regional stakeholders.

BCI is currently entering a phase of field-testing to evaluate the current definition of ‘Better Cotton’ and other components of the BCI system (assessment programme and supply chain system). These field trials will be run with the support of a group of implementation partners, facilitated by the BCI regional coordinator in that region.

Responsibilities
The Regional Coordinator (RC) is responsible for:

1. Supporting BCI’s stakeholder engagement with producers, civil society, trade & industry, and other organizations, initially in West & Central Africa, and in particular the countries of Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Mali, Senegal and Togo.
2. Supporting the development of, and managing the implementation of field-testing (‘pilot’) project(s) in West and Central Africa that will established to test the ‘Better Cotton’ system.
3. Organising meetings for the pilot project, and any other BCI activities in the region.
4. Maintaining regular communication with pilot project implementation partners
5. Identifying potential expansion possibilities for BCI in Africa following on from the pilot.
6. Managing discrete budgets in relation to BCI’s engagement within the region.
7. Maintaining strong communication lines with the other BCI staff members.
8. To keep up to date with, and report on, significant issues (including both environmental and social related issues) arising that are relevant to the cotton sector within the region.
9. To undertake information gathering (for example on cotton-related project activities in the region), and to report to BCI
10. Supporting BCI’s stakeholder engagement with producers, civil society, trade & industry, and other organizations, in other regions of Africa.

Working arrangements
The Regional Coordinator (RC) reports to the Field Project Coordinator (FPC) for her/his work programme, activities and outputs.

The position of RC is planned to be full-time, but a part-time basis could also be considered depending on the successful candidate.

The location of the RC will be in West or Central Africa; the exact location will be dependent on the location of a suitable office, and accessibility to the pilot project area.

Duration
It is envisaged that the RC will receive a fixed-term contract from the SC of the BCI. The RC will be contracted initially for a 2 year period, with extension depending on a) satisfactory performance as evaluated by the TC/SPC/FPC and b) continued funding for BCI. The position is jointly funded by the BCI SC members, Sida, SECO and Better Cotton Partners.

Profile of the Regional Coordinator
To be successful, the Regional Coordinator will have the following attributes:
Required:

• University degree, or equivalent higher education qualification
• Fluent in French & English
• Strong communication (both written & spoken) and attentive listening abilities
• Experienced project manager
• Experience working with global / international organizations
• Experienced facilitator of professional relationships and/or groups
• Ability to work independently, to take initiative, and engage others
• Willingness to travel frequently
• Experience, knowledge or a proven keen interest in the issues of sustainability, preferably in agriculture or development
• Knowledge of the cotton sector in West & Central Africa, in particular regarding farm production practices and / or the cotton supply chain
• Enjoy taking on a challenge and be open to new ideas.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment with respect for diversity and gender balance

Preferred:

• Have worked in the cotton sector in West & Central Africa, in particular in relation to farm production practices and/or the cotton supply chain
• Have experience, knowledge or a proven keen interest in the issue of labour standards in agriculture
• Have experience working with smallholder organisations at the grassroots level
• Have experience in needs/impact assessment and / or project monitoring
• Have worked in Africa and Internationally.

Applications
Interested applicants are asked to send a detailed CV and a brief covering letter to Allan Williams at BCI (allan.williams@bettercotton.org) who will receive these on behalf of the BCI SC.

Only those people selected for an interview will be contacted.

Application deadline: Monday 27th October, 2008

Additional Information
POSITION TYPE: Full-Time

INTERVIEW AVAILABILITY: First round phone interviews Tuesday 4th November – Friday 7th November, 2008.
Second round interviews to be confirmed in 10th November – 18th November 2008 in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso / 24th November – 28th November in Europe.

COMMENCEMENT DATE: End January 2009

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Posted: October 2008

EIRIS Ltd

PAID INTERNSHIP for 2 months from July 08

£14,420 per annum pro rata - London, UK

Ethical Investment Research Services Ltd (EIRIS) is a leading provider of the research that investors and financial institutions need to take account of corporate social, environmental and other ethical performance. In the last few years we have expanded the coverage available in our Ethical Portfolio Manager software product to more than 2,800 companies across the developed world. Our client base has also become increasingly global.

We are currently offering a paid internship to someone with an interest in social issues who is fluent in both Portuguese and English. If you have completed a degree, have an interest in corporate social responsibility (CSR) and social, environmental and ethical issues and would appreciate the chance to gain experience of work in a research organisation, we’d like to hear from you.

You will:

• Monitor Portuguese language news and civil society sources (mostly Brazilian) for stories that relate to companies having a negative impact on human rights, the environment or being involved in corruption
• Write short English language summaries of the articles you have identified
• Carry out research into Brazilian sources of CSR-related information
• Liaise with EIRIS partner organisations

You should be flexible and ready to assist with administrative tasks.

The internship will be an opportunity to develop understanding of company practices and policies in these areas, as well as of the debates surrounding the particular issues researched. We will provide full training and support, and there will be opportunities to attend EIRIS events and sit in on other aspects of our work.

You will be fluent in Portuguese and English, both written and spoken. You should also have good MS Office and web-search skills. You should be able to combine accuracy and attention to detail with a genuine interest in issues of corporate social responsibility. Preferably you will also have had some experience of the Brazilian media and/or civil society.

The internships will be full-time but we would consider dividing the work between part-timers.

Interested? Please download the application form from our website at www.eiris.org (click on Job Opportunities on the home page) and return it to jobs@eiris.org, quoting reference NEWS1, and saying whether you would be available full- or part-time. If part-time, please say which days of the week. You can also telephone us on 0207 840 5720.

Closing date for applications: Friday 30th May 08. We hope to interview the following week.

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Posted: May 2008

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) is an international non-profit organization whose vision is to make reporting on economic, environmental, and social performance by all organizations as mainstream as financial reporting. The GRI seeks to achieve this by developing, continually improving, and building capacity around the use of its Sustainability Reporting Framework: the core of which being the Reporting Guidelines.

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Posted: Nov 2007

Global Reporting Initiative

Press Relations Manager

Start date a.s.a.p., 40 hrs p/w (€ 40,000 / € 50,000)

Contract: 1 year initially – extension by mutual consent

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) is an international non-profit organization whose vision is to make reporting on economic, environmental, and social performance by all organizations as mainstream as financial reporting. The GRI seeks to achieve this by developing, continually improving, and building capacity around the use of its Sustainability Reporting Framework: the core of which being the Reporting Guidelines.

  The GRI's Guidelines are emerging as the world's most widely used standard for sustainability reporting, and over 1000 organizations around the world have declared their use of them as the basis for reporting. 

   To ensure that the GRI Framework is globally relevant and applicable across different constituencies, the GRI works closely with an extensive and active multi-stakeholder network. This includes many hundred stakeholders in GRI's formal governance bodies (Board of Directors, Stakeholder Council, Technical Advisory Committee, Organizational Stakeholders, and Secretariat), and many thousand - from diverse constituencies across all corners of the globe - contributing to the Framework's development, continuous improvement, and implementation.

  Working with the GRI means joining the world’s premiere network of people and organizations working to advance sustainability, transparency and accountability through sustainability reporting.

  Position Summary The Press Relations Manager will coordinate and develop GRI’s press relations, manage content development for the press (articles, interviews, press releases, web news, etc.), and be a spokesperson for GRI to the press. The Press Relations Manager will monitor and analyze international press coverage relevant to GRI and advise on GRI’s public positioning. The Press Relations Manager will support senior staff and board members in their contacts with the press. The Press Relations Manager will be a member of the Communications and Marketing Team and coordinate and collaborate with other communications and marketing colleagues on a regular basis.

  (S)he will report to the Chief Executive (CE).

  Job purpose Ensure an effective dissemination of GRI’s key messages through the media.

  Responsibilities
GRI is staffed with a relatively small team. While assigned to specific jobs secretariat staff are largely self-supporting and engage consequently in a variety of tasks. The GRI is also a dynamic organisation and positions tend to evolve over time. Specific responsibilities envisaged for this position are:

• Develop overall press strategy and implement media campaigns to support key GRI objectives, products and services
• Building new press contacts in key journals, newspapers, websites, and other others in key mainstream, trade, and national media
• Maintaining existing press contacts through regular communication and relationship building
• Maintain press contacts database
• Design and deliver media outreach activities in support of key GRI landmarks, such as report launches, country campaigns, or VIP visits
• Monitor and analyse press coverage regarding sustainability and reporting and regarding the GRI globally, to identify risks and opportunities to leverage GRI’s messages
• Develop copy for press releases, press advisories, letters to the editor, op-eds, and short journal or news articles
• Assist the Chief Executive in his global outreach activities in general and with press contacts in specific
• Ensure all GRI staff, governance bodies, and key spokespeople are trained in media and public speaking messaging
• Be a spokesperson for GRI, when and where this responsibility has been delegated

  Other duties as requested.

  Key competencies/requirements

• Professional or university level training in journalism, public relations or external relations strongly preferred – alternatively proof of extensive successful track record in these fields
• Proven experience in press relations, working in an international environment an asset.
• A track record of relationships with business and specialty press. Experience with the written press will be essential. Familiarity with, and knowledge of, television and internet-based media an asset.
• Basic knowledge of key sustainability issues required
• Top class writing skills, fluency in English (written and verbal), other languages (especially French, Dutch, or an Asian language) an asset
• Exceptional interpersonal skills
• Eligible to live and work in the Netherlands
• Ability to manage an effective balance in short and long term tasks (i.e., execute a long term strategic press relations plan, yet react to opportunistic moments in the immediate term).
• High level of computer literacy, including word processing, database, spread sheets, desk-top publishing, and building visual aids
• Creativity and energy to successfully execute an internationally focused press relations program crossing national and language boundaries and involving dozens of distinct stakeholder groups.

  Contact
Interested candidates eligible to work in the Netherlands are requested to submit their resume in English together with a cover letter and a few samples of recent writing before Monday 10th December 2007 before 17.00 CET.

Stichting Global Reporting Initiative
Attn. Monique Hutten, HR & Office Manager
Keizersgracht 209
1016 DT Amsterdam
T. 020-5310011 // F. 020-5310099
Hutten@globalreporting.org // www.globalreporting.org

  Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

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Posted: Nov 2007

EIRIS Ltd

Research Analyst (Social Research Team)

Salary: £23,927 (under review)

London - UK

Ethical Investment Research Services (EIRIS) is a leading provider of the research that investors and financial institutions need to take account of corporate social, environmental and ethical performance. In the last few years we have expanded the coverage available in our Ethical Portfolio Manager (EPM) software product to more than 2,800 companies across the world. Our client base has also become increasingly global.

We are looking to recruit a Research Analyst to analyse companies in allocated sectors, maintain and develop various research areas, and to generally ensure the accuracy and quality of research delivered to our clients.

As part of the Social Research Team, the successful candidate will be responsible for assessing companies from across several sectors according to a range of social and governance criteria. You will have some understanding of corporate social responsibility (CSR) issues and must be able to efficiently communicate and summarise complex material both verbally and in writing. You will need to be accurate and efficient, have strong computer skills in a range of programmes, a good level of numeracy and be a fast learner.

Knowledge of specific CSR issues or business ethics, and experience of research or similar work on CSR or related fields is essential. A readiness to undertake routine repetitive tasks is also an essential requirement for the post. Applicants should have a 2:2 degree or equivalent.

You can download full job details and an application form from our website at www.eiris.org and then e-mail your application to us at jobs@eiris.org, quoting reference SR1 in the subject line. You can also telephone us on 0207 840 5720. Closing date for applications: Monday 01 October 2007.

EIRIS is committed to equality of opportunity. EIRIS Ltd is a not-for-profit subsidiary of the EIRIS Foundation.

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Posted: Sept 2007

CSR Assistant / Intern

Hong Kong

CSR Manager Asia seeks part-time CSR Assistant/Intern, Hong Kong

Internship or Assistant role, Hong Kong Island.

2-3 Days per week depending on work levels and your availability (negotiable on an ongoing basis).

Long-term role: one-two year commitment desired.

Suits HK student with an interest in a career in CSR, or HK or Shenzhen based CSR professional/freelancer desiring part-time role.

Requirements:

• Fluent English, Cantonese, Mandarin,... Any Japanese, Korean, Italian or Spanish could also be put to use.
• Demonstrated interest in CSR/Ethical Supply Chain and environmental issues
• Interest and ability to:
  • visit factories in Guangdong up to 1-2 days per week (expenses will be paid)
  • interview Chinese workers
  • work with NGOs confidentially
  • support training and hotline programme roll-outs
  • also undertake office-based data processing work such as social audit data
  • possibly travel internationally in Asia-if suitable.
  • Good data management and processing skills: MS Excel, Word, Ppt, etc
  • High level of integrity and confidentiality.
  • Flexible, with good planning and communication skills.

Please email CV and cover email stating availability to katienow@gmail.com for more details.

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Posted: May 2007

The Conference Board, Inc.

Administrator, Governance Center and Directors’ Institute

New York City - USA - Salary USD33,000 to USD35,000

POSITION SUMMARY: The Administrator works closely with the Director, Associate Director and Center Manager to run all the administrative functions of the Governance Center and the Directors’ Institute. This includes: expense tracking, contractor monitoring, meeting planning, marketing, travel planning registration records and program coordination. The Administrator must work well with internal and external people at all levels. Reports to the Center Manager

PRINCIPAL DIRECT ACTIVITIES:

1. Is responsible for meeting planning, travel arrangements, briefing books and logistical support for various domestic and international programs throughout the Year.
2. Aids in implementing marketing plans, including working with the Members Services’ representatives (e.g. sales staff) to distribute marketing materials.
3. Acts as liaison with various faculty members.
4. Drafts and handles a variety of correspondence – both written and oral.
5. Acts as liaison with other departments at TCB on production, marketing and mailing.
6. Prepares PowerPoint slide presentations and assists with research reports, clearances, data base and survey research.
7. Handles and maintains contact database in STARS.
8. Conducts internet searches for materials related to Center programs and marketing and organizes electronic filing of such materials.
9. Monitors external contractor contracts, tracks expenses and prepares invoices.
10. Provides administrative support to the Associate Director and Center Manager.

REQUIREMENTS: Commitment to customer satisfaction (internal and external) and ability to work well with others. Good word-processing, Excel, and PowerPoint skills; willingness to learn other information system skills. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Well organized and able to assess priorities; gives attention to detail and presentation; has flexibility to adapt to changing needs, has appropriate sense of urgency and possesses self-initiative.

Resumes along with salary requirement should be emailed to gerry.gillen@conference-board.org or faxed 212-339-0305.

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Posted: Feb 2007