Location Geneva
Job-type Permanent
Salary £Competitive
Reference BBBH13468_1625475657

The Organisation

Acre Resources BV supports its local partner CH port / APC international in this search.

The International Cocoa Initiative (ICI) is a Swiss-based, non-profit foundation that works to ensure a better future for children in cocoa-growing communities. It is a multi-stakeholder partnership advancing the elimination of child labour and forced labour, by uniting the forces of the cocoa and chocolate industry, civil society, farming communities, governments, international organisations, and donors. ICI has been working in cocoa-growing communities in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana for over 13 years and within that time has helped advance quantified progress in the fight against child labour in cocoa. ICI’s innovation and learning projects, sharing of good practice, coordination efforts and technical advocacy work also contribute to wider impact on the cocoa sector as a whole, in addition to its direct action, supporting the scale up of impact.

The Role and Responsibilities

The International Cocoa Initiative’s Executive Director provides visionary leadership so that the Foundation achieves its objectives, most recently defined in ICI’s 2021-2026 strategy with its emphasis on catalyzing a responsible cocoa supply chain, a supportive enabling environment, and a scaled-up, coordinated and coherent multi-stakeholder effort through Innovation & Learning, Technical Advocacy and Capacity Building. Working closely with, and reporting to, the ICI Board (comprising members and stakeholders from industry and civil society) and its delegated Executive Committee, and reporting specifically to the ICI Co-Presidents, s/he will inspire and maintain broad member, stakeholder and employee support for ICI’s vision, mission and implementation strategy.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Advance, promote and, if necessary, refine ICI's strategic vision for delivering impact through its core operational program, its project partnerships and its stakeholder engagement, in line with the Foundation's strategic objectives.

  • Translate ICI's vision and Strategy into annual or multi-annual Action Plans and budgets, to be approved by the Board, with clear deliverables that align with ICI's strategic results framework.

  • Lead a high-performing ICI team to meet the objectives set out in the ICI Strategy and its associated Action Plans, within the adopted budgets, with an efficient allocation of resources and an optimally managed expenditure.

  • Identify, nurture and catalyse the key stakeholder relationships (with industry, civil society, governments, donors, media, academia etc.) required to deliver ICI's Strategy.

  • Oversee the effective and transparent financial management of the Foundation, preparing, controlling, auditing and reporting on ICI's annual financial budgets in line with ICI's Charter and By-Laws.

  • Represent ICI, its work and its interests as an independent Foundation at the highest levels of strategic, policy- and stakeholder-engagement.

  • Engage relevant key stakeholders in the cocoa sector and beyond with the aim of catalysing collective and expanded action in furtherance of ICI's strategic objectives, including by building transformative, impact-oriented partnerships.

Candidate requirements and profile

  • A university degree or equivalent professional qualification in a relevant field, preferably at Masters level.

  • At least 15 years of relevant professional experience with at least 5 years as an Executive Director / CEO or C-level manager.

  • Advanced level or fluency in written and spoken English and French.

  • Extensive experience and expertise working in sustainability, CSR, business & human rights and/or international development.

  • Extensive experience in working across different cultures and building consensus across different stakeholder groups.

  • Track record in building strategic relationships & partnerships.

  • The ability to inspire and motivate; to articulate a clear vision with ambitious but achievable goals; to think and act with strategic agility; to manage risk and take difficult decisions; to remain calm and focussed under pressure; to exhibit charisma, energy and enthusiasm; to mobilise resources in a competitive marketplace; to innovate, adapt and manage change; to lead with emotional intelligence; to manage and empower a dynamic multi-cultural team; to communicate and speak publicly with conviction.

For more information, please apply below or contact Harco Leertower via harco.leertouwer@acre.com.