Head of Legal & Compliance

Fairtrade is an alternative approach to conventional trade and is based on a partnership between producers and consumers. Fairtrade offers producers a better deal and improved terms of trade. This allows them the opportunity to improve their lives and plan for their future. Fairtrade offers consumers a powerful way to reduce poverty through their everyday shopping.

Fairtrade International is an international membership-based public interest association, registered in Bonn, Germany. Our member organizations are 19 National Fairtrade Organizations and three continental Producer Networks, based Africa and the Middle East, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America and the Caribbean. The Producer Networks represent some 1700 producer organisations, comprising over 1.7 million farmers and workers.

Fairtrade International is committed to creating and maintaining an environment that promotes its core values and prevents abuse, violence, and exploitation of all people. Fairtrade International´s employees and associated personnel are expected to uphold the dignity of all people with whom they come into contact with either directly or indirectly by ensuring that their personal and professional conduct abides by organisational policies and the Fairtrade Organization Code at all times.

The Head of Legal and Compliance will lead the further development and implementation of Fairtrade International's Compliance Management System, including the provision of compliance and legal advice, manage and oversee the Whistle-Blowing-System and promote a culture that enables our employees and partners to speak up.

The post holder will act as key coordinating point for compliance matters and will also provide legal advice to the Board and Senior Management, as required.

Reporting to the Director Legal and Compliance, the Head of Legal and Compliance will be responsible for the following main areas of work:

• Lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive compliance management system for Fairtrade
• Act as the key coordinator for compliance matters within Fairtrade, liaise with and support member organizations in compliance structures and mechanisms
• Ensure Fairtrade International Board, executive leadership team, senior management and employees are informed of developments from a regulatory, legal and compliance perspective and ensure implementation of respective policies and procedures in the different units/ entities
• Develop and provide targeted legal and compliance training and training material to all Board members, executive leadership team, senior management and employees
• Ensure Fairtrade member organizations are informed and trained to implement the relevant policies and procedures for alignment with the Fairtrade Organization Code and global compliance strategy
• Ensure compliance of all contractual agreements and operations through pro-active support to the Senior Management Team and the units of Fairtrade International
• Work closely with the Senior Management Team on identifying any potential risk exposures and support the development of mitigation action that needs to be taken by the organisation
• Introduce, customize, implement and manage the Fairtrade Whistle-Blowing-System to ensure a compliant, confidential and trust worthy complaints and allegations case management that protects whistleblowers and ensures that any reported non-compliance with external or internal regulations undergo a proper investigation, legal assessment and adequate measures are taken
• Further develop Fairtrade´s complaints and allegations management procedures
• Provide regular reports to the Fairtrade International Board and executive leadership team
• Maintain and further develop an effective and motivated team
• Recruit, train, appraise, supervise, support, develop and guide team members
• Ensure effective management and maintain the well-being of the team

Level of education

• Min. first state exam in German law, Wirtschaftsjurist, LLM or an equivalent Master´s degree in a related field
• second state exam law (desirable)
• compliance management training (desirable)

Knowledge / Job Specific Competencies:

• min 5-7 years of substantial experience and expertise in compliance management
• Prior experience in providing in-house legal advice
• Experience in risk management, corporate compliance, operations risk

Professional Skill Requirements

• Excellent communication skills with a demonstrated ability to explain legal and compliance matters to a variety of audiences, including our international governance bodies
• Ability to work independently and to collaborate effectively when needed
• Should be able to work on multiple matters at one time and meet tight time frames efficiently and with excellence
• Collaborative and supportive approach to teamwork
• Strong interpersonal communication skills, including conflict and facilitating resolution skills
• Languages: fluency in German, proficiency in English essential. Working knowledge in French and/ or Spanish is an asset.

• This is a full-time position within Fairtrade International.
• An initial one-year contract is offered. It is envisaged that the contract will become permanent after the initial one-year period.
• The Location is at Fairtrade International offices in Bonn, Germany.
• The office language is English.
• Salary as per the Collective Bargaining Agreement for the Wholesale and Foreign Trade Industries for North-Rhine Westphalia and Fairtrade International Company Agreement on wages and salaries Group VIb.

• Please consult www.fairtrade.net for more information on Fairtrade International and the Fairtrade system
• We are actively recruiting for this role and reserve the right to close this advertisement at any time.

Please note that Fairtrade International is strict on compliance with the required qualification criteria mentioned above, and only those candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.