Administrative Assistant Maternity cover - 75% FTE

Job Announcement
The Better Cotton Initiative is looking for an Administrative Assistant to support the global team in the Geneva office on a 6 month maternity cover contract. This is a busy role with plenty of scope for own initiative. The successful candidate is service-minded and pro-active in his/her approach to providing team support, has good attention to detail and a strong ability to multi-task. To be successful in this role you will need to be culturally versatile, fluent in English (at least), and have the ability to communicate clearly and concisely with team members from different parts of the world.

Building on the success to date, where Better Cotton creates positive changes for farming communities, and is being bought by BCI retailer and brand members, BCI has set ambitious targets for the future, increasing Better Cotton volume production 8fold by 2015 and 26-fold by 2020. Our experience has taught us that the cotton market cannot be left to itself to make the changes happen. Our model for market transformation is based on focused, manageable activities developed by BCI itself and clear roles for other supply chain actors, partners and governments. Working with our members and partners, BCI will focus on the key drivers at both ends of the supply chain supply creation/push and demand generation/pull.

Woman harvesting Better Cotton in Mali

Background
Cotton is one of the most important and widely grown crops in the world. With more than 90% of cotton farmers living in developing countries, millions of poor farmers and workers depend on it for their livelihoods. However, current cotton growing methods need to change as they are placing unsustainable pressures on the environment and the people who produce it. Change means using fewer pesticides, managing water more efficiently, improving soil health and bio-diversity, enhancing fibre quality, and improving the welfare of farm workers. BCI exists to make global cotton production better for the people who produce it, better for the environment it grows in and better for the sectors future. BCI works with a diverse range of stakeholders to promote measurable and continuing improvements for the environment, farming communities and the economies of cotton-producing areas. BCI aims to transform cotton production worldwide by developing Better Cotton as a sustainable mainstream commodity.

Our Strategic Principles

BCI is focused on effecting change BCI is firmly based on the traceability of Better Cotton Credibility and the multi-stakeholder nature are crucial to BCI Demand for Better Cotton is key to funding and influence BCI enables evidence-based communication within a clear framework BCI does not set a premium and pricing is a function of the market.

2015 Global Targets

Specific Aim
Reduce the environmental impact of cotton production Improve livelihoods & economic development in cotton producing areas Increase commitment to and flow of BC throughout the supply chain Ensure organizational credibility and sustainability of BCI

Global Indicator
Better Cotton hectares under cultivation Number of Better Cotton farmers

2015 Target
2 million

1 million

BCIs specific aims are to:

1. Reduce the environmental impact of cotton production 2. Improve livelihoods and economic development in cotton producing areas 3. Improve commitment to and flow of Better Cotton throughout the supply chain 4. Ensure the credibility and sustainability of the Better Cotton Initiative

Volume of Better Cotton bought by spinners Earned income as % of global costs

1.5 million

75%

Job Announcement Administrative Assistant October 2013

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Administrative Assistant Maternity cover - 75% FTE

Job Announcement

Job Description
Under the line management of the Business Director the Administrative Assistant will be responsible for ensuring the smooth running of the BCI Geneva office, providing HR administration support, meeting and travel arrangements and enabling effective administration of the Secretariat and association. Upon request from the Leadership Team, the Administrative Assistant will provide support to regional office assistants based in China, India and Pakistan.

Responsibilities
Office Management and Administrative Support
1. Maintain and develop, as necessary, effective office processes to ensure the team is able to deliver its work efficiently 2. Maintain office equipment and train staff on their use as necessary 3. Under the supervision of the Business Director, manage office and IT supplies, including inventory and purchasing, in line with approved budgets 4. Implement global BCI administrative procedures/office management processes under the guidance of Business Director. 5. Be the first point of contact for general telephone inquiries and visitors to the office to ensure that queries are attended to and visitors cared for in line with BCI values. 6. Manage information and data, in cooperation with the wider BCI team as relevant 7. Organise internal meetings and provide support to external meetings and workshops 8. Maintain and update the BCI relationship database in order to support effective communications on a global scale.

Human Resources
9. Provide HR administration support with specific focus on ensuring compliance with BCI HR policies and Swiss labour law requirements. 10. Maintain and update global HR policy and guidance documents and ensure their implementation throughout all BCI offices. 11. Facilitate Swiss work permits applications, issue employment and consultancy contracts, induct new hires to Geneva office practices and Swiss benefits package, facilitate entry, exit and employee changes in collaboration with line managers, liaise with the relevant Swiss administration 12. Liaise with line managers and payroll service provider to ensure that all staff are paid according to their contract and on time, and that they are enrolled under all compulsory Swiss and BCI additional benefits (e.g. social security; pension, accident insurance, withholding taxes) 13. Ensure accurate and up-to-date maintenance of employee files and HR databases in accordance with Swiss law and confidentiality regulations 14. To support recruitment , induction and appraisal processes under supervision of the Business Director and in collaboration with staff and line managers as relevant 15. To coordinate HR development projects as required, contributing to achieving organisational objectives in HR performance.

Job Announcement Administrative Assistant October 2013

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Administrative Assistant Maternity cover - 75% FTE

Job Announcement Personal Assistance
16. To support the CEO and Business Director with day-to-day administration and travel arrangements as necessary 17. To undertake other tasks as deemed necessary by the supervisor.

Profile
To be successful, candidates for the Administrative Assistant will have the following attributes: Experience Essential At least 2 years experience in working in an office support role Experience with managing HR administration or working with external payroll provider Experience in managing information and databases Desirable Experience working in a multi-cultural, globally dispersed organisation Experience working with or for a multi-stakeholder initiative Skills & knowledge Essential Fluency in English and French, both written and spoken, with attentive listening abilities and able to communicate clearly and concisely. Excellent analytical and problem solving skills with a proactive approach to finding and proposing solutions to challenges within clearly defined boundaries Advanced computer skills and IT literacy, to include: Word; PowerPoint; Excel; Outlook Excellent organisation and capacity to handle a set of different priorities Excellent ability to multi-task and keep track of several projects running in parallel Flexibility, initiative and ability to work autonomously Excellent interpersonal and team work skills, with service-oriented attitude Desirable Interest in and commitment to sustainability Academic Background in Business Administration or HR

Working arrangements
The Administrative Assistant will report to the Business Director. The position is part time, 75% FTE (30 hrs per week, preferably over five days) and will be based in Geneva. The successful candidate will receive fixed term maternity cover contract until the end of April 2014.

Applications
Interested applicants with the required attributes are asked to send, in English, a detailed CV and a cover letter (2 pages maximum), by email to recruitment.admin@bettercotton.org Application deadline: Expected start date: Wednesday, 16th of October 2013 mid-November or as early as possible

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only candidates short-listed for a telephone interview will be contacted. BCI is an equal opportunities employer, and is committed to good practice and transparency in the management of natural, human and financial resources. BCI will only accept applications from individuals from Switzerland or the EU, or holding a valid work permit in Switzerland.

Job Announcement Administrative Assistant October 2013

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