Executive Director

Driving Change on a Global Scale – Executive Director Opportunity in Organic & Sustainable Accreditation at IOAS

Position:

We are seeking an experienced Executive Director to lead our team. Reporting directly to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will be responsible for guiding the organization in line with its vision, mission, and high-level strategy. The Executive Director will oversee different departments which include financial management, personnel management, and all aspects of service delivery, delegating responsibilities as needed to the senior management team.

Key Responsibilities:

· Develop and implement organizational strategy in alignment with the Board's direction.

· Lead and motivate a diverse, remote team to achieve mission-driven objectives.

· Foster strategic partnerships to enhance organizational visibility and impact.

· Ensure financial sustainability and oversee all aspects of financial management.

· Identify staffing needs and maintain a strong organizational culture.

· Ensure compliance with legal requirements and quality standards.

· Oversee daily operations, program strategies, compliance, and quality assurance.

Requirements:

· Extensive experience in an Executive Director or similar role, preferably in a mission-driven organization.

· Strong leadership skills with experience managing remote, international teams.

· Expertise in conformity assessment, with a thorough understanding of ISO/IEC 17011 and other standards.

· Good reputation and wide network of contacts within the organic and conformity assessment world.

· Excellent organizational and communication skills, with fluency in English (additional languages advantageous).

· Applicants must be able to work on their own as well as part of a multi-cultural, remote working team, show good attention to detail and maintain the highest level of integrity.

Terms:

· This is a full-time role. You may be contracted annually or hired as an employee, depending on your location.

· You will work from your own home office. International travel will be required at least 4 times per year.

· IOAS will pay basic office costs and all travel related expenses.

· You are obligated to do the work independently; it shall not be subcontracted in any capacity.

· The starting salary will be commensurate with experience.

Application:

To apply: Please submit a letter of motivation, Curriculum Vitae, and copies of applicable certifications/qualifications to with subject line 'Executive Director, Attn: David Crucefix'.

Closing date for applications: 31 May 2024.

Start date for the position: January 1, 2025.

Join us in making a difference in the organic and sustainable agriculture landscape

IOAS is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to encouraging equality, diversity and inclusion among our workforce. We value the multitude of talents and perspectives of a diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, colour, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.

Please note that if we have not responded to your application within 14 days of submission your application has been unsuccessful.

This is an ideal opportunity to:

• Contribute to the promotion of integrity and fairness.
• Work alongside passionate professionals dedicated to making a difference.

At IOAS, we believe in upholding integrity and ensuring that decisions regarding conformity align with our ethical principles. We are currently seeking motivated individuals to join as members of our Accreditation Committee. Created to distance the task of making the final decisions on accreditation from the everyday technical assessment aspects of the IOAS, the Accreditation Committee is appointed to ensure a balance of interests, representation, and geography, as well as a wealth of expertise in conformity assessment. Your role will be crucial in evaluating and providing feedback on conformity decisions made by various entities.

This is a volunteer position, requiring you to perform Accreditation Decisions via online platform, participate in teleconferences pertaining to adverse actions and/or appeals when requested, and an annual in person meeting, which may be held anywhere in the world. All travel and accommodation expenses will be reimbursed by IOAS for in person meetings and details of the honorarium are explained in our detailed specifications.

IOAS works with an increasing number of scheme owners (COSMOS, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, European Commission, GlobalG.A.P., GOTS, IFOAM, NATRUE, Textile Exchange). The accreditation and assessment services we provide cover organic agriculture, sustainable agriculture, organic textiles, organic and natural cosmetics, recycled products, animal welfare claims, fair trade, social compliance, and food safety. IOAS clients are based all over the world.

The IOAS's day-to-day work is performed by a team of core staff, supported by contracted assessors and technical experts. For more information about our work, please visit .

Requirements:

All candidates must meet the following minimum qualification requirements:

• Good knowledge of the English language.
• Standing and authority in their field, which is deemed relevant to the position.
• High degree of personal integrity, including ability to maintain confidentiality and show due concern for conflict of interest.
• Evidence of supporting the aims and objectives of organic agriculture and/or IFOAM's mission.
• Ability to attend, prepare for and actively participate in meetings.
• A considerable degree of experience and expertise is required of those chosen as representatives of the fields of inspection or certification.

The Committee shall be constituted with a range of interests, with no single interest predominating. The five sectors of interests are defined as:

• conformity assessment (certification & inspection).
• operators.
• and regulatory.

Additionally, prospective members must have extensive experience in accreditation, certification and/or inspection, in the organic textiles, and/or cosmetics industries. Those who are qualified as an assessor or inspector, or decision-maker in the respective field are suitable candidates. Individuals who work at operator level – i.e., in industry – and academic professionals in these areas of expertise may have appropriate qualifications. Persons who work in standards development, scheme owners, or related bodies are also invited to apply.

Evidence of qualification must be provided, and members are subject to allocation of competences based on their expertise. Some training may be provided by IOAS to increase competence in specific areas.

Terms:

The Accreditation Committee is a volunteer position appointed by the IOAS Board, requiring you to perform Accreditation Decisions via an online platform, participate in teleconferences pertaining to adverse actions and/or appeals, and an annual meeting, which may be held anywhere in the world, or remotely if necessary. If attending in person, all travel and accommodation expenses will be reimbursed by IOAS.

Members of the IOAS Accreditation Committee (AC) are eligible for a $50 honorarium for each CB accreditation decision they render, either in person or virtually, including routine decisions on (re)accreditation or continuation of accreditation (in cases of Annual Surveillance) as well as decisions on imposing or lifting sanctions. AC members are also eligible for a $250 honorarium for each AC meeting that they attend (typically convened annually for the purpose of ongoing training, discussing common issues, etc.) and $50 for each joint Board/AC meeting that they attend, either in person or virtually

Application:

Nominations shall be accompanied by the following:

• A nomination from any organization or individual
• A statement of interest in seeking this appointment.
• Applicants must indicate which of the interest sectors they are affiliated with (a primary and secondary sector are permitted if appropriate).
• Appropriate certifications, diplomas, or other evidence of qualification.

Applicants must indicate which of these interesting sectors named above they are affiliated with (a primary and secondary sector are permitted if appropriate).

Please submit to with the subject line '2305 AC Member nominations, Attn: Lauren Carlyle'

Applications accepted until further notice.

The IOAS board is constituted in a manner that safeguards impartiality and enables the participation of all parties from various sectors significantly concerned in the development and principles regarding the content and functioning of the accreditation system.

Potential Board members should have a background from one of the following sectors: conformity assessment (certification & inspection), operators, beneficiaries (consumers, environment, retail, trade, movement), the developing world, or regulatory.

We are particularly keen to receive applications from those within the Operator categories and those with business expertise .

Elections to the Board shall be for three-year terms with the possibility of being re-appointed.

Candidates shall demonstrate the following requirements:

1. Good knowledge of the English language.
2. Standing and authority in their field.
3. A high degree of personal integrity, including the ability to maintain confidentiality and show due concern for conflict of interest.
4. Evidence of supporting the aims and objectives of organic agriculture and/or IFOAM's mission
5. Ability to attend, prepare for and actively participate in meetings
6. A considerable degree of experience and expertise is required of those chosen as representatives of the fields of inspection or certification.

• A nomination from any organisation or individual.
• A statement of their interest in seeking the appointment.

Applications accepted until further notice.

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