4C Integrity Auditor (Freelancer) - Regional focus East and West Africa, Asia, or Latin America

4C (Certification for Climate, Conservation, and Communities) is a global certification scheme for sustainable coffee and cocoa. 4C certification focuses on good agricultural and management practices, including requirements on economic, social, and environmental conditions for coffee production and processing in order to establish credible, sustainable, and transparent supply chains. Independent certification bodies verify compliance with the 4C requirements. 4C was developed in a comprehensive and transparent multi-stakeholder process involving coffee/cocoa producers, trade and industry, as well as organizations from civil society around the world. 4C aims to move the entire coffee or cocoa sector towards sustainability practices. 4C operates in 25 countries and is one of the largest certification systems in the coffee sector.

Since 2020, the 4C System has evolved into a robust, benchmarked standard, defining clear social, environmental, and economic criteria. Alongside certification, we provide innovative solutions to help companies comply with global regulations and strengthen responsible supply chains in a changing world.

4C Services GmbH, the operator of 4C certification system, is seeking to recruit a highly motivated freelance auditor to conduct integrity assessments within the framework of the 4C Integrity Program.

Key activities:

• Planning, preparing, and conducting 4C integrity assessments at certified 4C Units, Intermediary and Final Buyers of 4C certified coffee and Certification Bodies cooperation with 4C, with focus on: 
  • Traceability
  • Social issues such as child labour, forced labour, fair and safe working conditions
  • Environmental issues such as deforestation, biodiversity and soil conservation, and pesticide use
• General support to 4C System users in countries of East and West Africa, Asia, or Latin America regarding communication, meetings, translation of documents, etc.
• Contribution to the continuous development of the 4C System and the 4C Integrity Program

• A minimum of five years of professional experience in certification or quality assurance, auditing or verification; At least a Bachelor University degree and Agricultural production background
• Audit experience with certification systems such as 4C, Rainforest Alliance, CAFÉ Practices, Global G.A.P
• Experience in supply chains for agricultural products, preferably in the area of coffee and/or cocoa
• High proficiency in English and relevant local languages when applicable (French, Spanish, Portuguese, or Vietnamese) (spoken and written). Additional languages are of advantage
• Good knowledge of the relevant tools/ software (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and/or GIS or remote sensing-based software/application for risk assessment)
• High willingness and availability to travel 
• High level of commitment, proficiency and assertiveness
• Structured, accurate and independent working style

Important note:

4C Integrity Auditors must be completely independent and free of conflict of interest with 4C System Users (https://www.4c-services.org/4c-system/4c-system-users/). 
This means the 4C Integrity Auditor cannot be employed or contracted as a consultant by a Certification Body or any 4C System User operating in the coffee/cocoa sector at the same time as working as a 4C Integrity Auditor.