Junior Certification Officer

Position: Junior Certification Officer

Job Location: Yavatmal, Maharashtra

Number of Positions: 1

Reporting to: Assistant General Manager-Cotton Programme

**About Solidaridad**

Solidaridad Regional Expertise Centre (SREC) is a registered not for profit trust with its main office located in the New Delhi. The SREC participates in the network of Solidaridad in Asia and focuses on eliminating poverty in all forms.

It is a major international driver of sustainable, fair production and consumption practices of commodities such as - Coffee, Tea, Cocoa, Fruit & Vegetables, Dairy, Soy, Palm Oil, Sugarcane, Leather, Cotton, Textiles, Gold & Industrial Minerals, Castor, Aquaculture etc. It seeks to improve the resilience of vulnerable population to social, environmental and economic shocks. We cover several SDGs in our result chain that all at the end contributes to the SDG-1. The smallholder farmers, workers (with a focus on women) and the consumers are our main beneficiaries. SREC work in 12 Indian states with approx. 250 experts operating from different offices.

**Project Background**

Solidaridad with its consortium partners has implemented the program of pathway to prosperity(P2P) in the Maharashtra. The objective of the program is a regenerative agriculture initiative aimed at securing the health of the land and the wealth of those who live on it. It supports farms and organisations to transition to holistic farming techniques that increase soil organic matter, encourage biodiversity sequester CO2 and improve water and energy management. Designed for continuous improvement, regenagri offers members a complete solution for measuring and reporting on regenerative progress and monetizing environmentally minded farming.

The technical development of regenagri is supported by a governance team, a group of organisations expert in all aspects of regenerative agriculture

**Key Responsibilities**

**Audit and Compliance Management (KRA1)**
- Conduct internal audits in accordance with NPOP/NOP/Regenagri standards to ensure adherence to organic certification requirements.
- Perform periodic document reviews to ensure alignment with certification standards and regulatory norms.
- Provide assistance during external audits conducted by third-party certification agencies, facilitating a smooth and successful audit process.

**Training and Capacity Building (KRA2)**
- Train farmers and grower groups based on internal standards to enhance their understanding of organic farming practices.
- Participate in the planning and organization of training sessions, workshops, and seminars for farmers in the Vidarbha and Marathwada regions.
- Deliver knowledge-sharing sessions that empower farmers with the skills needed for successful organic and sustainable farming practices.

**Data Management and Reporting (KRA3)**
- Manage the data entry and information of program farmers, ensuring compliance with the requirements of the Organic and Sustainable Certification program.
- Prepare accurate and timely data and reports as needed, contributing to effective program monitoring and evaluation.

**Outreach and Coordination (KRA4)**
- Undertake extensive travel across the Vidarbha and Marathwada regions to engage with project stakeholders, farmers, and communities.
- Strengthen regional relationships and coordination by actively participating in training, workshops, and awareness events.
- Act as a liaison between the project and the local community, promoting the adoption of organic and sustainable farming practices.

**Qualification and Experience**
- Graduate in agriculture or related discipline (Agriculture / Agri Business Management)
- Minimum 3 years of experience in certification in organic/ sustainable agriculture with certification agencies

**Knowledge & Skills**
- Experience and knowledge of sustainable and organic farming/Sustainable certifications
- Good command of English in speech and in writing
- Excellent presentation skills
- Resourceful, fast learner with strong interpersonal skills
- Proficiency in MS Office
- Willingness to travel extensively

**Salary**: ₹8,086.00 - ₹53,570.00 per month

Schedule:

- Day shift