Workplace Standard Auditor and Trainer

THE CONTEXT OF INDIA’S MICA INDUSTRY

Mica, which comprises 34 types of minerals with a layered structure, is a crucial resource used across various industries around the world thanks to its optical properties and natural electrical and thermal insulation properties. It has a wide range of applications, from cosmetics to automotive coatings, metallurgy, electronics, batteries, plastics and oil extraction. India is known as the largest exporter of mica (40% of global volumes), which is mostly mined in the states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh. Whereas mica extraction is more formal in Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh, the mineral from the mica belt of Jharkhand and Bihar, around the border of these two states, is essentially extracted or collected through Artisanal and Small scale Mining (ASM) and is associated with issues such as child labor and poor working conditions, as well as being the major source of income for around 70% of local communities. Once collected, mica is transported to processing units in the same states, where it is sorted, crushed and sieved before being exported worldwide, including to the EU.

ABOUT THE RESPONSIBLE MICA INITIATIVE (RMI): TOWARDS RESPONSIBLE INDIAN MICA SUPPLY CHAINS

The Responsible Mica Initiative (RMI) is a global ‘Coalition for Action’ – established in 2017, putting policy into practice – comprised of multiple organizations committed to establishing a fair, responsible and sustainable mica supply chain in India and Madagascar with a core mission of eliminating unacceptable working conditions and eradicating child labor. RMI’s work in India mostly takes place in the states of Jharkhand, Bihar, Rajasthan and Andra Pradesh where the mica processors and mica mines are located. RMI uses a multi-stakeholder and holistic approach that engages companies, civil society organizations, industry associations and governments to develop and implement three integrated program pillars that will establish responsible workplace standards, a legal framework for the mica sector and empower workers and local communities, As part of this effort, RMI has developed the Global Workplace Standard (GWS) for mica processors and is working on establishing a standard for small to medium semi-mechanized mines to be released early 2026. Today, RMI has more than 100 members who count among the major cosmetics, paints, automotive brands and suppliers, and internationally recognized NGOs.

POSITION

To support the growth of RMI’s activities in India and to strengthen RMI’s support to upstream supply chain actors located in Rajasthan and Andra Pradesh in their journey towards sustainability, the Responsible Mica Initiative is seeking a highly motivated candidate for position of ‘Workplace Standard Auditor & Trainer’, for an initial 2-year contract.

The Responsible Mica Initiative is looking for an individual with strong social and environmental auditing expertise, exceptional coordination, monitoring and inter-personal skills to be part of RMI’s Executive Team.

The successful candidate will be based in Bhilwara (Rajasthan state, India) and will work closely with the Responsible Mica Initiative’s governance bodies, Executive team, members and partners under the supervision of the Director of Programmes. Ability and willingness to travel in other districts is key (Andra Pradesh and occasionally Jharkhand) Linked to its mission and structure, the Responsible Mica Initiative is looking for a solution- and impact-driven, motivated and rigorous person.

MISSIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES

In accordance with the decisions of the Board of Directors, under the Director of Programme’s lead (France-based) and with guidance from the Workplace Standards & Sustainability Manager (India-Based), the Workplace Standard Auditor & Trainer will support the Executive Team with the below missions, covering the geographical areas of Rajasthan and Andra Pradesh:

Supply chain sustainability management (80%)

• Establish gap assessments of India mica processors and mica mines versus RMI’s Global Workplace Standard (GWS) and the forthcoming RMI mining standard Co-design with those processors and mine owners needed Corrective Action Plans (CAP)
• Support processors and mine owners in the effective implementation of those CAP, and closely follow-up the progress in terms of compliance with regards to RMI workplace and due diligence standards;
• Coordinate collective third-party audit protocol for RMI members, in collaboration with RMI’s Executive team;
• Liaise with RMI accredited external auditing companies on a regular basis
• Develop training content for auditors on RMI standards and conduct online or face to face training Design training session content & facilitate in-person training sessions related to responsible workplace standards at processing and mining sites (covering legal requirements, social obligations, occupational health and safety provisions, economic requirements, environmental standards, due diligence);
• Perform quality checks on audit reports
• Analyze audit data and build presentations for team and members
• Support the Workplace Standard and Sustainability Manager in Jharkhand if needed.
• Share law updates with the team in case a new law or changes in an existing law comes into notice. Closely monitor and report on all the above, to the Executive team, RMI’s governance bodies and beneficiaries.

District level advocacy in Rajasthan (20%)

• Build and maintain a network with local district governmental officers / authorities. Regularly update this network with RMI’s progress, planned activities, challenges

PROFILE

• Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
• Passionate about bringing people together to effect social, economic, environmental change;
• Humble, persevering, excellent inter-personal skills, capacity to federate and embark;
• Demonstrate analytical capabilities, and ability for quick appropriation of topics;
• Problem solver, rigorous, can foster effective teamwork to drive results;
• Ability to work pro-actively and independently;
• Fluency in English & Hindi;
• High level of integrity and ethical standards.
• Tenacious; Pedagogue; Team player;
• Good reporting capacity;
• Good IT skills (Excel & online assessment tools).
• Good presentation skills (Power Point)
• Good oral and written communication skills

Education & Desirable Experience

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in International Development, Business, Engineer/Mining
• Social Auditing or a related field
• Demonstrated experience in supply chain social and environmental auditing
• Demonstrated experience with sustainability standards and mining standards a must
• Good knowledge of Indian labor laws and regulation, Industrial EHS requirements, Quality and Production systems
• Demonstrated experience of multi-stakeholder projects’ coordination and monitoring;
• Ideally any experience related to mining industry;
• Demonstrated experience in facilitating training sessions;
• Experience of working in Rajasthan/or with Rajasthan stakeholders is a plus;
• 5 to 10 years of experience working on related missions.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates, please forward your application (cover letter and CV, including a list of references) by email to: recruitment@responsible-mica-initiative.com .