Jobs and volunteering

All vacancies are advertised below. The Fairtrade Foundation also advertises online on CharityJOB and Guardian Jobs. For a wider variety of jobs consult Ethical Careers.

View vacancies at Fairtrade Labelling Organisations International.

Applying for jobs at the Fairtrade Foundation


All applicants must complete an return an Application Form (Word).

Completed application forms can be emailed in Word or RTF to jobs@fairtrade.org.uk or posted to the Human Resources Officer, The Fairtrade Foundation, Room 204, 16 Baldwin's Gardens, London EC1N 7RJ.

Please note that the Fairtrade Foundation does not accept CVs.

We are very sorry but we are unable to write to unsuccessful applicants due to the sheer volume of applications we receive and limited recruitment resources available.  However, thank you for your interest in working for the Fairtrade Foundation.

Current vacancies


 

Receptionist, £21,500 - £24,000pa, London

We are seeking to recruit a first class Receptionist, as part of our Finance and Resources Division to provide a consistently excellent reception service for the Fairtrade Foundation including operating the switchboard, welcoming and directing visitors, and acting as a central information point.

You will need to have strong inter-personal skills and as first point of contact for callers, you must be able to demonstrate excellent customer service and communication skills.  In this busy and demanding role you will need to be able to work well under pressure and to strict deadlines.  Previous experience of operating a switchboard telephone system or in a customer service environment is essential.

  • Closing date: Monday 15th  September 2008 (10am)   
  • First round interviews:  25th and 26th September 2008
  • Second round interviews: 6th October 2008      

 ____________________________________________________________________________________

Certification Officer (Three Posts),  £25,000 - £27,250pa,   London with some UK travel      

Applications considered for full-time, part-time and job share basis. 

We are seeking to recruit additional Certification Officers, who will be part of the team that certifies products as Fairtrade and monitors and audits our licensees for compliance with Fairtrade standards and contractual obligations.  Your responsibilities will include regular contact with licensees to help them understand the compliance and reporting requirements and to ensure their regular submission of accurate and timely reports, as well as working with them to solve problems.  

You will have experience of working in a certification/audit or inspection type role, well developed skills in use of Microsoft Office applications (particularly Word, Excel, Outlook and Access), excellent numeracy skills and attention to detail, an analytical and enquiring mind, first-class communication skills and the ability to juggle competing priorities to tight deadlines.

 

  • Closing date: Wednesday 17 September 2008 (10am)   
  • First round interviews:  2nd and 3rd October 2008
  • Second round interviews: 9th October 2008

____________________________________________________________________________________

Finance Assistant, £21,500 - £24,000pa, London             

We are seeking to recruit a Finance Assistant within our Finance and Resources Division to ensure the accurate and complete processing of the financial records of the Fairtrade Foundation, providing an effective financial service to internal and external customers. 

The ideal candidate will have a working knowledge of Microsoft Office software and standard Accounts packages, with excellent attention to detail, you will be able to work accurately with figures and have experience of working in an accounts and office environment. This is a newly created role in a very busy fast paced finance team, therefore you will need to be highly organised with excellent verbal and written communication and highly developed customer service skills. You will enjoy working as part of a team, have a flexible and approachable manner and be keen on personal development with a willingness to undertake training as required for the post.

  • Closing date: Friday 19 September 2008 (10am)
  • First round interviews:  7th and 10th October 2008,
  • Second round interviews (if required): 16th October 2008

____________________________________________________________________________________

Finance Manager, £33,000 - £37,000pa, London

We are seeking to recruit a “hands on” Finance Manager to oversee the Foundation’s financial systems and controls and ensure delivery of timely and accurate reporting to management, budget holders and external donors.  You will work across the organisation to support non finance staff in the preparation of forecast and budget data, identifying trends and variances from plan.

You will have a strong and proven background in financial management and administration as well as staff management.  Knowledge of Excel and Sage Line 50 would be useful.  Excellent presentation and communication skills are essential as well as the ability to work as part of a team.

  • Closing date: Tuesday 23rd September 2008 (10am)      
  • First round interviews: 17th & 20th October 2008
  • Second round interviews (if required):  24th October 2008

 ____________________________________________________________________________________

New Product Development Manager, £29,000 - £32,150pa, London

We are seeking to recruit a New Product Development Manager to create new opportunities for producers to sell their products as Fairtrade by leading the development and delivery of new products and product categories. You will be responsible for strategically assessing and prioritising potential new product opportunities; gaining commitment and support throughout the Fairtrade Labelling movement to further develop new product opportunities and innovations; and for establishing and managing multi-partner product development consortia.

You will have a strong and proven background in project management along with the creation and management of supporting systems and budgets; coupled with a track record of success and achievement in managing complex international supply chain projects.  With demonstrable management experience, you will be a strong team player with a flexible approach and willingness to engage with a wide range of diverse and multifaceted issues; to succeed in this role you must possess excellent communications and interpersonal skills.

  • Closing date: Friday 26th September (10am)       
  • First round interviews: 22nd & 24th October 2008
  • Second round interviews (if required): 7th November 2008  

____________________________________________________________________________________

Supporter Services Officer, £21,500 - £24,000pa, London

We are seeking to recruit a Supporter Services Officer as part of our Communications Division.  This role provides a pivotal link between the Fairtrade Foundation and our large supporter base, acting as a central point of information for their enquiries.  You will also be first point of contact for our newly outsourced dispatch function ensuring the smooth transition of orders; and have a significant role in working with volunteers to deliver the above services.

You will need to have strong inter-personal skills and as first point of contact for our supporters you must be able to demonstrate excellent customer service and communication skills.  Ideally you will have previous experience of monitoring Service Level Agreements and liaising with external contractors over an outsourced dispatch function or the supply of goods and services.  Following the recent outsourcing of the dispatch function, this is an evolving role, presenting the successful applicant with an opportunity to help shape the role over the coming months.  A flexible approach and “can-do” attitude will be required in this busy and demanding role where you will need to be able to work well under pressure and to strict deadlines. 

  • Closing date: Tuesday 30th September 2008 (10am)      
  • First round interviews: 28th and 29th October 2008
  • Second round interviews (if required): 5th November 2008 

 

Volunteering at the Fairtrade Foundation


The Fairtrade Foundation welcomes individuals to come and volunteer their time.  Work can include dealing with supporter enquiries, the despatch of materials, administrative tasks and campaign work

  • We ask for a minimum commitment of one day per week for three months for general volunteering. Some positions require more days.
  • We provide luncheon vouchers valued at £4 per day if working five or more hours in that day and refund off-peak travel expenses (maximum £10 per day) on production of a receipt/ticket.
  • The type of work available is rarely suitable for volunteers to carry out from home.
  • We regret that we are unable to assist non-UK residents who are planning to volunteer during a short stay in the UK with visa applications, finding accommodation etc.

The Fairtrade Foundation is committed to equal opportunities and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.


Current volunteer positions


Fairtrade Towns Administrator
Download the role description
Closing date: Friday 19th September 2008

Supporter Relations Assistant
Download the role description
Closing date:
Friday 5th September 2008

General volunteering
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please complete the Volunteer Application Form (Word) and email it together with your CV to Sandeep Joshi, Volunteer Co-ordinator.