Project Officer EC-FFPA (maternity cover)

OVERVIEW

Fairtrade is the most recognized and trusted sustainability label, working to make trade fairer for people and planet.For more than three decades, Fairtrade has been making an impact on the way trade works. We believe that every farmer and worker should have access to a better way of doing business, and a better way of living.Fairtrade International is an independent non-profit organisation representing more than two million small-scale farmers and workers worldwide. It owns the FAIRTRADE Mark, a registered trademark that appears on more than 37,000 products. Beyond certification, Fairtrade International and its member organisations (three producer networks and 19 national Fairtrade organisations) partner with producers and businesses, engage consumers, and advocate for a fair and sustainable future. Unit’s description and purpose:

The International Partnerships and Programmes Implementation Unit is responsible for leading and coordinating system-wide resource mobilization and partnership development to enable the delivery and realisation of Fairtrade’s strategic priorities. The Unit is also responsible for ensuring effective management of externally funded projects led by Fairtrade International.

Fairtrade International has secured a grant from the European Commission’s (EC) Funding Framework Partnership Agreement (FFPA) to deliver a multi-stakeholder four-year project (2024-2027) aiming to:

increase the influence of male and female small producers and workers from local to global level, and create a more inclusive, representative and efficient Fairtrade network
strengthen the institutional and operational capacity of Fairtrade for coordinated actions at the global, regional, and national levels
reinforce the capacity of Fairtrade for coordinated actions at global, regional and national level, that effectively represent producer organisations and workers and promote the role and responsibilities of Fairtrade member organisations

The project is being implemented by Fairtrade International and its three Producer Networks in Latin America and the Caribbean (CLAC), in Africa (FTA) and in Asia and the Pacific (NAPP), as well as the Fair Trade Advocacy Office in Belgium.

PRINCIPAL ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Project Officer - NAPP will play a key role in the Asia-Pacific region for the project’s coordination, financial and administrative management, and compliance with European Commission requirements. The post holder will take the lead in meeting reporting obligations towards the EC, engaging with stakeholders, and supporting the project's implementation. Specifically, the Project Officer will:

Ensure coordination among all NAPP staff to ensure effective project implementation.
Compile donor narrative reports and support the Finance team in compiling donor financial reports for the NAPP region.
Ensure compliance with and visibility of project requirements.
Contribute to the implementation of the project’s monitoring and evaluation plan.
Process all NAPP expenditure and provided technical support with NAPP’s procurement funded by the project.
Compile information for internal reporting of NAPP funded activities.
Support with logistics for related project events, activities and ensure visibility of the project internally and externally.
Support FI Project Management team with project tasks, logistical support for events, taking notes and maintain digital document management systems.

Contribution to the Financial grant management:

Control financial and cash flow for AP region;
Monitor activities and expenses for AP region;
Manage effective and cost efficient administrative and internal financial procedures for AP region;
Maintain oversight of the project’s bookkeeping, payments etc. for AP region;
Manage budgetary and financial resources, assure quality standards and timeliness, set up and implement interim, annual and final financial reports for AP region.

Other responsibilities:

Support the presentation of the project in internal and external events, as relevant
Provide technical and thematic inputs on Terms of Reference as necessary, co-designing targeted workshops and execution of activities
Travel as required.
Perform other duties and tasks, consistent with the skills and expertise, as required.

SKILLS REQUIRED

Level of education: The position holder will have a bachelor’s degree in development, business, international relations or comparable qualifications or another relevant field.

Years of professional experience: A minimum of 2 years’ experience in a relevant area of work.

Job Specific Competencies/knowledge:

Grant-management
Grant-financial management
Project Planning and Implementation
Project Monitoring and Controlling
Stakeholder Management
Risk Management
Event/conferences organization
Creating learning content

Personal Qualities:

Collaboration / Teamwork
Conflict management
Relationship management
Problem-solving
Attention to detail
Cross-cultural communication
Presentation skills
Rapid learning
Multitasking
Prioritization
Flexibility
Proactive Communications for escalation & decision making

Software/Tools:

Project Management Software (e.g. TolaData, others), MS365 (Excel, Word, Outlook, Power Point, Teams, Planner, Forms, Canva, Clipchamp, Kobo Toolbox), Salesforce, other relevant AI digital tools

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

This is a maternity cover position within Fairtrade International.
Location is at Fairtrade International offices in Bonn, Germany with the opportunity for hybrid work arrangements
The office language is English.
Salary as per the Collective Bargaining Agreement for the Wholesale and Foreign Trade Industries for North Rhine Westphalia Group V and overtariff payments (starting at 3,814.00 Euros gross per month)
Holiday Bonus and 13th salary
30 days of holidays per year (for fulltime employees)
Subsidised public transportation ticket
Subsidised meal services
Childcare cost subsidy