Fairtrade Africa
ABOUT FAIRTRADE AFRICA
Fairtrade Africa (FTA), a member of the wider Fairtrade International movement represents Fairtrade certified producers in Africa and the Middle East. We operate four regional networks: Eastern and Central Africa Network (ECAN) based in Nairobi, Kenya; West Africa Network (WAN) based in Accra, Ghana, Southern Africa Network (SAN) based in Blantyre, Malawi and the Middle East and North Africa Network (MENA).
Fairtrade Africa is owned by its members, who are African producer organizations certified against Fairtrade International Standards producing traditional export commodities such as coffee, cocoa, tea, flowers, cotton, bananas, cane sugar, wine, fresh fruits, herbs and spices and non-traditional commodities including shea butter and rooibos tea. Currently, the organization represents over 1 million producers across 28 countries in Africa. Fairtrade Africa secretariat is located in Nairobi, Kenya, and has 50% ownership of the Fairtrade system.
THE BOARD OF FAIRTRADE AFRICA
FTA is governed by a Board of Directors which is comprised of seven (7) members as follows: four (4) producer representatives (one per region) as well as three (3) independent members recruited to provide specific skills and experience.
The Board is responsible for agreeing on strategies that help achieve its goals and that of the international Fairtrade system. The current global strategic framework for 2016-2020 envisages greater investment in producer-facing services in order to increase Fairtrade’s impact on the livelihoods of farmers and workers. The Board, therefore, also has an important role in ensuring the organization uses its resources efficiently and regularly monitors performance and impact.
The Board comprises one representative from each of the four regional sub-networks, elected by the annual General Assembly. They are complemented by three independent Members also elected directly by the General Assembly to provide additional knowledge, skills and experience. Board Members (Directors) are elected for a term of three years and are eligible to be reappointed for a second successive term, subject to satisfactory performance, the principle of rotations and mutual agreement.
The Board meets quarterly, with two virtual meetings and two physical meetings with occasional additional meetings as required. Members are also encouraged to serve on one of the Board’s sub-committees which are: the Governance Committee, Human Resource & Appeals Committee, Finance Committee, Markets Steering Committee, Risk & Audit Committee, Nominations Committee and Board Audit Committee (Ad-hoc) and to participate in other discussion forums and working groups where their particular expertise is relevant. Board members may also be requested to attend Fairtrade International’s Annual General Assembly.
The position of Board Member is unremunerated but reasonable travel and subsistence expenses are reimbursed.
PERSON SPECIFICATIONS
Essential Competencies
1.Previous experience of working at the board level in an organisation of similar scale and complexity, with an understanding of good governance and the role of a board and its individual members. In particular, Board members should be
a. Committed to the principles of selflessness and integrity and demonstrate that they will act in the best interests of Fairtrade Africa as a whole and that they will not place themselves under any obligation to people or organisations that might try inappropriately to influence them in their work. Board Members should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends. They must declare and resolve any interests and relationships.
b. Able to contribute to Board discussions by listening actively with an open mind and being willing to speak their mind and engage in open debate while working effectively as part of a team.
2. A record of success in their chosen profession with evidence of providing leadership and strategic direction, driving achievement and managing change.
3. The ability to read and digest management reports and to take decisions impartially, fairly and on merit, using the best evidence and without discrimination or bias.
4. Excellent written and verbal communication skills and sufficient financial literacy to be able to understand and contribute to discussions on FTA’s budgets and management accounts.
5. Proficiency in English, which is the working language of the Board. Knowledge of other languages used by Fairtrade producers and regional networks (particularly French and Arabic) would be an advantage.
6. An understanding of Fairtrade’s rationale including the context of its mission in global trade and sustainable development, its principles, model of operation and the different perspectives of key stakeholders in the Fairtrade movement including small farmers and their organisations, workers and trade unions, development NGO’s, business, funding bodies and government institutions. If prospective Board Members are unable to offer this knowledge upon appointment, they should be willing and able to develop it by engagement with an induction programme.
Specialist Competencies The Board aims for its membership to include at least one member with a high level of proficiency and success in each of the following areas.
1. Agriculture and rural development, with an understanding of the problems faced by small farmers and waged workers and their families, particularly those of women and girls, and of effective interventions to support their efforts to improve their lives. Experience in developing public-private partnerships and civil society collaborations would be especially welcomed.
2. Trading, processing and supply chain management, particularly in sectors relevant to Fairtrade such as coffee, cocoa, horticulture, and cotton)
3. The government-level policy environment in which Fairtrade operates and the role of advocacy and campaigning for change.
4. Labour Law and Labour Relations expert.
5. Expertise in HR/Organisational Development, Finance, and/or Fundraising.
How to apply
Interested candidates, who possess the above competencies, should send the documents below via email to: [email protected] with a CC to [email protected]
• Curriculum Vitae (resumé) of not more than three A4 pages showing education, professional qualifications and employment record.
• An application letter of not more than two A4 pages explaining your interest in the position of Board Member and examples of how you meet each area of the person specification.
The closing date for the application is 8th July 2022.
The Nominations Committee shall assess, shortlist and interview candidates by teleconference in the first instance. Follow-up interviews may be conducted as needed. Candidates who meet the requirements of independent directors shall be invited to present themselves to the General Assembly who shall elect then elect one candidate to the Board.
FTA aims to elect an independent director at its General Assembly in August 2022.
The subject of the email submission should be “INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR – LABOUR AND HUMAN RIGHTS EXPERT-”.