Independent Representative (m/f/div) from the Civil Society for Impartiality Committee
Introduction & Description
FLOCERT is a leading global assurance provider. Besides providing sole certification to Fairtrade, FLOCERT offers certification and verification as well as customised sustainability to support companies in their ethical business transformation.
With seven international offices conducting business in around 120 countries, FLOCERT specialises in combining global reach with local expertise for its over 6,000 customers. FLOCERT remains mission-driven and dedicated to working with all types of organisations, from small-scale producers to internationally recognised brands, to promote fairness in global trade.
As a People and Planet First verified organisation, FLOCERT is proud to be recognised as an enterprise prioritising social and environmental goals.
Visit flocert.net for more information.
FLOCERT GmbH is inviting applications for the next term of its Impartiality Committee.
Description
The Impartiality Committee is an integral part of FLOCERT’s governance framework. It plays a critical role in safeguarding the impartiality, integrity, independence and credibility of FLOCERT’s assurance activities by providing independent oversight, challenge and guidance on matters related to impartiality and conflicts of interest.
As FLOCERT continues to operate in an increasingly complex regulatory and stakeholder environment, the role of the Impartiality Committee is essential. It is a core element of FLOCERT’s accredited assurance system and is indispensable to ensuring that impartiality is not only formally maintained, but actively lived across decision-making, structures and practices.
The effective functioning of an impartiality mechanism is critical to the quality and credibility of FLOCERT as an independent certifier. Therefore, while membership in the Impartiality Committee is an honorary role, it requires a high level of commitment and reliability, and the same seriousness and diligence as any key governance position, whilst offering experienced professionals the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the robustness and trustworthiness of a global certification system at the heart of the Fairtrade movement.
Independent Representative (m/f/div) from the Civil Society for Impartiality Committee
- Assignment Scope: periodic basis, to be defined by Impartiality Committee
- Remuneration: based on expenses / honorary role
Your responsibilities
The Impartiality Committee safeguards the independence, impartiality and non-discrimination of all assurance activities conducted by FLOCERT GmbH within the accredited Fairtrade Assurance system.
It provides independent oversight and challenge by identifying and addressing risks to impartiality and by advising on measures to strengthen transparency, credibility and stakeholder trust. Where necessary, the Committee may establish working groups on specific topics.
If risks or violations of impartiality are identified, the Committee is entitled to formally address the FLOCERT Management and request appropriate corrective or preventive action. The Committee operates independently from operational management.
Commitment and Way of Working
Membership in the Impartiality Committee is an honorary role that requires a high level of professional commitment, reliability and independence.
Members are expected to actively contribute to the Committee’s work, including the review of individual cases, risk assessments and supporting documentation, and to prepare thoroughly for meetings and decision-making processes.
Regular participation in scheduled meetings, timely responsiveness between meetings and the ability to work with detailed and sometimes sensitive information are essential.
The effective functioning of the Impartiality Committee is critical to maintaining trust, credibility and accreditation. The role therefore requires consistent engagement and is not compatible with irregular or ad-hoc involvement.
Qualifications and Requirements
Members of the Impartiality Committee are expected to bring seniority, professional credibility and relevant expertise that strengthen the independence and legitimacy of FLOCERT GmbH’s assurance system.
Required qualifications include:
- Proven senior-level leadership and professional experience within civil society, ideally including prior service on an impartiality, ethics, oversight or advisory committee or board
- Recognised subject-matter expertise in sustainability and/or sustainable development, with a civil society perspective
- Professional background in a non-governmental organisation (NGO), non-profit organisation or social movement engaged in collective action
- Strong understanding of impartial assurance principles, including the ability to assess evidence objectively and to act independently of organisational, commercial or representative interests
- Solid knowledge of the Fairtrade system and/or comparable voluntary sustainability and verification schemes
- Ability to engage in constructive, critical discussion, contribute to consensus-building and work effectively in a largely virtual, self-organised setting
- High awareness of confidentiality and data protection requirements
- Fluency in written and spoken English
- Availability for regular meetings and ad-hoc consultations, primarily held virtually and within European time zones
How to apply
Please kindly note that we only accept online applications and only candidates shortlisted for an interview will be further contacted and will receive notice of the outcome of the selection process.
Applications must be submitted in English and include:
- a brief motivation letter
- a Curriculum Vitae
- the contact details of two professional referees
Please address your application to Jutta Goss, Credibility Assurance Manager at FLOCERT GmbH.
Application deadline: 28 February 2026.
For further information on FLOCERT and the Fairtrade system, please visit
https://www.flocert.net and https://www.fairtrade.net
