Opportunity alert: Volunteer to support the Standard revision process
The FairWild Standard and certification scheme provides assurance that trade in wild-harvested plants and fungi is sustainable and makes positive contributions to conservation and the achievement of social and economic objectives. It is a proven tool to support communities and rural producers to conserve biodiversity and manage their natural resources sustainably. Unique in its sole focus on the harvest and trade in wild-harvested products, FairWild recognise the relationships that collector communities have with the species and landscapes within which they live and work.
The current version of the FairWild Standard (v2.0) has been in place since 2010. While ground-breaking at the time, the global sustainability agenda has continued to evolve over the intervening years, and the Standard and associated implementation tools are now in need of review to enhance the effectiveness of the Standard and increase its impact by enabling wider implementation.
In 2023 we are embarking on a project to revise the Standard content and auditing procedures, with the objectives of modernising the standard, increasing accessibility and useability, providing a modular approach for additional products and complementary certifications, clarifying the scope and applicability in different landscape contexts and increasing clarity in chain of custody and assurance approaches.
A key objective of the process is to make the Standard and all related procedures more accessible, clear and concise while at the same time ensuring that the rigour of the Standard system (in relation to risk) is maintained.
We are seeking a volunteer (on an unremunerated, remote basis) to support the Standard revision process. The Volunteer will support the lead consultant and the FairWild Secretariat in:
Coordinating, reporting on and synthesising the various stakeholder processes
Drafting of standard revision documents and templates for procedures
Copy editing (as required)
Supporting the piloting processes
Coordination of review processes
Preparing final documents for publication
Related communication processes.
This volunteer position is expected to extend part-time over the period mid-May 2023 (or as agreed) to end August 2023. While this is an unremunerated volunteer role, an honorarium of GBP 2,000 will be paid at the conclusion of the position in lieu of expenses. This opportunity requires someone who is a graduate in a related field, such as ethnobotany or business, and who has some exposure and interest in private voluntary standards. Fluency in English and excellent communication skills are essential, as well as a commitment to conservation through sustainable use.
Please contact Deborah Vorhies (dvorhies@fairwild.org) for further information. Please supply a CV with your email.
Deadline: 12 April 2023
We are looking forward to creating a fairer and wilder world with you!