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Japan Country Representative

  • Organization: Preferred by Nature
  • Location:
  • Grade: Senior Executive level - Senior Executive
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Managerial positions
  • Closing Date: Closed

Apply by
30 November 12:00 (UTC)

Would you like to join a market leading international organisation that ensures responsible use of natural resources worldwide? Preferred by Nature is currently looking for a Japan Country Representative.

Preferred by Nature is a non-profit organisation that works for sustainable land use and climate-friendly solutions. With 270+ staff around the world, our activities build capacity, raise awareness, conserve nature and streamline sustainability through innovation. 

Summary: 
The overall function of this position is to uphold Preferred by Nature’s mission to support better land management and business practices that benefit people, nature, and the climate, while contributing to identify, pursue, and implement opportunities where Preferred by Nature can have a positive influence in line with our mission.

Overall responsibility of representing Preferred by Nature in Japan includes providing leadership and vision by developing and implementing market development and sales strategy for Preferred by Nature services. This covers Sustainable Biomass Programme, Forest Stewardship CouncilTM (FSCTM), timber legality, RSPO, Rainforest Alliance sustainable agriculture, Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP) and other tailored services and solutions, as well as tracking and analysing the regional market trends. Aside that, the role also involves sales and marketing planning, coordination, resource allocation, budgeting of sales and marketing activities, and setting and achieving sales goals/targets. 

The position will also manage the execution of a wide range of certification services (mainly Rainforest Alliance agriculture assessments and audits) for a portfolio of clients to include budgeting, service contracts, team identification, logistical planning, report review, liaison with clients and finalization of reports for approval; participate on audit teams as per qualifications; and coordinate and participate in other occasional bespoke projects and services.

Market Development 

  • Identify opportunities to increase Preferred by Nature’s impact with new services and markets 
  • Track and analyse regional market trends, statistics, competitors, pricing, client retention and other strategic inputs for Preferred by Nature’s current and future services as a means to adapt the Preferred by Nature model;  
  • Contribute to development of new projects (technical and fundraising);
  • Monitor and report on the regional marketplace for Preferred by Nature services. 

Marketing and Communications  

  • Create marketing Plans – for Assurance and Solutions in Japan;
  • Coordinate with the Communications team to create marketing and communications tools and materials, including but not limited to identifying publications to support sales, identifying potential stories/articles from the region, providing inputs to Preferred by Nature social media channels to feature Preferred by Nature’s activities in the region, and promotional materials. 
  • Identify and participate in networking opportunities, including: 
    • Understand and map key events for Preferred by Nature participations. 
    • Identify speaking opportunities and the key speakers for Preferred by Nature at events; 
    • Identify all trade networking groups we should join and engage and be the first contact point. 

Client and Stakeholder Relationship Management 

  • In collaboration with the Market Development team and service delivery managers, map key accounts and implement procedures for key client relationship management; 
  • Serve as key account manager as assigned and share insights with applicable service delivery managers;
  • Establish and ensure implementation of client care for current and interested clients;
  • In collaboration with Assurance and Solutions, run regional client surveys and solicit feedback from clients, ensuring our services are meeting market demands and are improved through client feedback;
  • Serve as liaison between assurance, solutions and service leads with stakeholders and key clients. 

Certification Management and Audit

  • Manage the execution of certification services (mainly Rainforest Alliance agriculture assessments and audits) for a portfolio of clients to include budgeting, service contracts, team identification, logistical planning, report review, liaison with clients and finalization of reports for approval;
  • Develop and implement annual audit schedules and ensure timely and efficient completion of annual audits;
  • Conduct certification services, including assessments and annual audits for clients, including on-site visits to client operation sites and facilities in Japan;
  • Ensure efficiency, quality control and adherence to Preferred by Nature technical and administration certification protocols for all jobs directly under his/her responsibilities;
  • In coordination with the Preferred by Nature Staff, provide customer service to current and potential Preferred by Nature clients to include, (but is not limited to), providing information about certification including updates from scheme owners, guidance on interpretation of certification standards and logo use; 
  • Monitor and maintain the status of the certificate client portfolio (activations, suspensions, terminations, changes in scope, updating customer data, uploading clients approved volume information in the database etc.);
  • Support in the organisation and preparation of training materials for training courses, workshops, meetings and other events.

Professional requirements

  • At least B.S. degree on environment, energy, agriculture, forestry and economy
  • Over 5 years working experience in forestry, agriculture or energy sector
  • International organisation working experiences, knowledge and experiences on corporate sustainability and business development preferred
  • Working experiences with certification bodies and successful completion of an in-depth ISO 9001 lead auditor course OR ISO 22000 course OR ISO 14001 course preferred

Personal qualities

  • You are a service minded, open and friendly person, who likes – and is good at – communicating with people on all levels. 
  • You are well organised and able to maintain structure in your work.
  • You have good planning and time management skills and an analytical approach.
  • You are proactive and can think one step ahead. 
  • Paying attention to details comes naturally to you – and you excel at it!
  • You are accountable, business oriented, able to work efficiently with others in order to share a common goal and independently, strong learning ability, with good networks in carbon sector.
  • You are a robust person, who have demonstrated that you can juggle multiple tasks.
  • You are a constructive team-player and have an open attitude towards other cultures, as we collaborate across borders in our organisation.
  • You believe in Preferred by Nature’s vision and mission and want to contribute to fulfilling it.
  • You are a native Japanese speaker, with proficiency in English.

Position details

  • Work time: 40 hours/week   
  • The position reports to our regional director
  • Working location: Japan/home based
  • Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience
  • Expected starting date: as soon as possible

We offer

  • An exciting and challenging position within a dynamic and innovative international organisation with a mission-driven work atmosphere
  • A friendly, international team of colleagues, with a pleasant work environment
  • Excellent opportunities for growth and professional development 
  • All employees are members of the organisation and have the opportunity to contribute to the overall development of Preferred by Nature through the annual General Assembly 
  • International training in certification services provided by Preferred by Nature
  • Potential international travel opportunities.

How to apply?

Please submit your CV and letter of application (in English), including salary expectations, by 30 November 2021 via the webform below.
Note: Only applicants legally eligible to work in Japan will be considered.

We will conduct interviews on an ongoing basis until we have identified the right candidate, so send us your application as soon as possible.

Preferred by Nature wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

For questions, please contact: 
Fahmi Wahab, Senior Specialist HR – Asia: fwahab@preferredbynature.org 
Xinxin Zhang, Regional Director: xzhang@preferredbynature.org 
 

 

This vacancy is now closed.
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