DEPUTY DIRECTOR, MARKET TRANSFORMATION (LATAM)

The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) is a not-for-profit, international membership organisation that is working to transform markets to make sustainable palm oil the norm. To do this, we have united stakeholders from all sectors of the palm oil supply chain and civil society to develop and implement global standards for sustainable palm oil production and procurement.

At RSPO, we believe that a not-for-profit organisation is made successful by the passion, skills, and expertise of its people. They are the ones who drive our organisation to new heights and guide us through the next phases of our development.

Reporting to the Director Market Transformation, the Deputy Director will be fully responsible for managing RSPO’s operations in Latin America and coordinating its activities with other RSPO global offices. The Deputy Director will ensure that RSPO’s regional direction is coherent and fully aligned with the organisation’s global positioning, and engage with key stakeholders and policymakers to ensure that RSPO achieves its vision to make palm oil more sustainable.

The Deputy Director is also responsible for delivering agreed annual targets on market transformation in terms of membership growth, increased production and uptake of sustainable palm oil, providing assurance in the chain of custody for sustainable palm oil, and maintaining RSPO’s reputation in the region. The Deputy Director will manage the regional team and work as part of a global senior management team to deliver the strategic plan.

The location of this role is Latin America, preferably in Colombia.

KEY ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1.    Engage with RSPO members and stakeholders in Latin America to increase awareness and accelerate the adoption and uptake of RSPO certification

•  Work closely with global and regional teams to close the gaps between supply and demand of CSPO
•  Map supply chains and leverage PalmTrace and Annual Communications of Progress (ACOP) to identify gaps
• Support the development of strategies to improve market access and incentives for smallholders in consultation with the Technical and Market Transformation Director

2.    Recruit New Members in Latin America

• Coordinate projects to recruit new members from all sectors of the palm oil supply chain and close the gap between supply and demand of sustainable certified palm oil (CSPO)
• Commission market studies for existing markets showing the flows of CPO, CSPO, main suppliers and buyers
• Conduct a gap analysis and map stakeholders in supply and demand to inform where to engage new members
• Develop targeted campaigns with NGOs, financial institutions, industry associations and governments to encourage new members to join RSPO in close collaboration with the Director of Stakeholder Engagement and Communications
• Engage with new buyers and suppliers: retailers, flagship companies, consumer goods manufacturers, traders, refiners, crushers, growers (large, medium, and smallholders)

3.    Shared Responsibility

• Support the development and implementation of the global Shared Responsibility (SR) strategy in consultation with Head of SR and Director, Market Transformation
• Use Shared Responsibility principles to encourage and reinforce commitment by consumer goods manufacturers and retailers in Latin America to buy CSPO
•  Encourage multinational companies to jump start initial uptake using shared responsibility messages
• Promote Shared Responsibility principles to encourage and reinforce processors & traders’ commitment to buy and sell CSPO
•  Seek ways to incentivise and acknowledge RSPO members in Latin America who are leading change-makers for sustainable palm

4.    General Management and Outreach & Advocacy

• To manage the daily operational activities of RSPO’s office in LatAm, including people and finance management, and provide guidance to the regional team, including communicating clear directions, roles and responsibilities.
• To coordinate the work of the regional office with the global and other RSPO regional offices to ensure full alignment with the objectives of the relevant departments, as prescribed by RSPO ́s leadership team.
• Coordinate recruitment, onboarding, coaching, mentorship and performance management for the teams in Latin America
• To provide support, direction, and guidance to the smallholder programmes, complaints resolution, and dispute settlements, and measure impacts of RSPO’s activities in LatAm.
•  To have a full understanding of LatAm’s oil palm landscapes, and work with the Assurance, Technical, and Standards teams to identify and develop opportunities for growth.
• Support the Director of Stakeholder Engagement and Communication and regional teams in Latin America with the development of strategies for government relations and policy advocacy programs, campaigns, events and initiatives.
• Support the Director of Stakeholder Engagement and Communication and regional teams in Latin America with the development of strategies for communications and media campaigns, regional events and initiatives.
• To identify and participate in key events that are strategic to RSPO’s mandate, and be the spokesperson for RSPO at relevant stakeholder engagement, as well as provide advice and input of strategic and policy significance, to facilitate decision-making.
• To support and provide insights on technical activities and National Interpretations to RSPO members in Latin America.
• To prepare and submit an annual operational budget for LatAm to the Director Market Transformation for review and approval, and manage effectively within this budget and report accurately on the progress made and the challenges encountered.
• To lead and manage the RSPO’s Conferences in the region in close collaboration with the relevant partner(s), stakeholders, and the global RSPO Secretariat team.

Apart from the duties stated above, to perform any duty or duties reasonably assigned.

THE SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT

Education

• BSc and MSc in related field

Experience

•  At least 12 – 15 years’ relevant work experience of which 8 should be in a Management role

Technical & Professional Knowledge

• Knowledgeable in palm oil industry/business, certification, socio-environment management and public communication will be an advantage.
• Excellent writing and communication skill in the main regional language AS WELL as English
• Able to work independently with minor supervision but with excellent teamwork skills.
• Conscientious and willing to take responsibility
• High Level of Integrity

WHAT’S ON OFFER

Your commitment and passion to drive innovation will be rewarded with an opportunity to work in an international multi-stakeholder organisation, where making a difference to People, Planet and Prosperity is not just a statement, but what we passionately believe in.

Operating within a dynamic and fast-paced environment, you will enjoy functioning within a role that offers the opportunity to broaden your skill set and develop your capabilities.

HOW TO APPLY

Qualified applicants are invited to send in their updated CV giving comprehensive details of educational background, work experience, and related achievements to [email protected] Please state “Job Application – Deputy Director, Market Transformation (LATAM) ” in your email subject line.

**RSPO is an equal opportunity employer. Due to the volume of applications received, only shortlisted candidates will be notified.