OVERVIEW

Overview:

Fairtrade is the most recognized and trusted sustainability label, working to make trade fairer for people and planet.

For more than three decades, Fairtrade has been making an impact on the way trade works. We believe that every farmer and worker should have access to a better way of doing business, and a better way of living.

Fairtrade International is an independent non‑profit organisation representing more than two million small‑scale farmers and workers worldwide. It owns the FAIRTRADE Mark, a registered trademark that appears on more than 37,000 products. Beyond certification, Fairtrade International and its member organisations (three producer networks and 19 national Fairtrade organisations) partner with producers and businesses, engage consumers, and advocate for a fair and sustainable future.

Unit’s description and purpose:

The Global Impact unit strengthens the Fairtrade system by driving institutional learning and effectiveness through robust monitoring and evaluation systems. We are the hub for the analysis and communication of high-quality data and information about Fairtrade and its impact, as well as supporting strategy delivery. The unit includes the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) team, which is the Fairtrade system’s hub for MEL which directly connects evidence to strategic decision for the Global Strategy, individual Fairtrade projects and global programmes, Standards, producer support, and more.

PRINCIPAL ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Role purpose:

The Impact Portfolio Manager (Fairer Futures Programmes) is responsible for stewarding the MEL frameworks for several of Fairtrade’s global product programmes, the flagship programmatic vehicles through which Fairtrade delivers measurable impact for farmers and workers under its 2026–2028 Global Strategy.

The manager will share responsibilities for a total of three programmes (cocoa, banana, coffee) with another manager, with product- and thematic-specific focus to be determined upon hire.

Working in close collaboration with Fairtrade Producer Networks, Global Product Teams, and the Digital Service Unit, the role ensures that both programmes are underpinned by robust, coherent, and actionable MEL, from framework design through data collection, reporting, evaluation, and learning. The position serves as one of Fairtrade International's primary MEL contact across programme discussions, representing the Global Impact unit in a system that spans FI, National Fairtrade Organizations, and Producer Networks. This role also contributes to the Global Impact unit's impact services offer, drawing on programme MEL expertise to identify and develop customized services for the Fairtrade system and external partners.

Main Responsibilities:

MEL Framework, Indicators, and Data Management. Steward and drive the development, maintenance, and continuous improvement of the Theory of Change and MEL framework for several of the Fairer Futures Programmes, working in close collaboration with Producer Networks and Global Product Teams. Steward the KPI and activity/output indicator set for both programmes, including maintaining metadata and monitoring data quality. Work with PN MEL staff, Global Product Teams, and where needed external consultants to ensure systematic consolidation of existing programme data and the design and implementation of regular data collection processes. Coordinate with the Information & Knowledge team on data cleaning, analysis, and visualisation.

Stakeholder Engagement and Project MEL Alignment. Serve as Fairtrade International's primary MEL contact for the product-expert colleagues in Producer Networks and Global Product Teams, providing technical MEL guidance, supporting capacity on data collection and reporting, and ensuring programme MEL requirements are understood and operationalised across the system. Work with PNs to ensure that MEL frameworks for individual projects within both programme portfolios are aligned to the overarching programme frameworks, providing where capacity is available guidance and quality assurance at project inception and during implementation

Reporting, Synthesis, and Learning. Lead the preparation of programme-level MEL reporting for programmes, synthesising data and evidence from across the programme portfolio into outputs that feed into the overall strategy reporting cycle. Facilitate learning processes within programmes, identifying evidence-based insights and working with Global Product Teams and PNs to support programme adaptation where warranted. Ensure programme MEL evidence and KPI data are appropriately integrated into the overall strategy MEL cycle in close coordination with the designated strategy MEL lead within the Impact Management team.

Programme Evaluation. Lead the design, commissioning, and management of the programme evaluations. This includes developing evaluation questions in collaboration with PNs and Global Product Teams, overseeing evaluation partners, and ensuring findings are translated into actionable learning.

Impact Services and External Engagement. Identify opportunities to offer MEL technical services to Fairtrade system organisations and external partners, drawing on expertise developed through the programmes. Contribute to the scoping, design, and pitching of impact services in collaboration with the Head, with a particular focus on programme MEL, data collection design, and evaluation. Participate actively in relevant system-wide working groups, representing the Impact Management team's MEL perspective on cross‑organisational initiatives.

Other tasks that are consistent with the level and responsibilities of this post.

SKILLS REQUIRED

Level of education: The position holder will have a Master’s degree or higher in development economics, econometrics, applied sociology, social sciences or another relevant field in management or natural sciences.

Years of professional experience: A minimum of five years' experience in monitoring, evaluation, and learning, with demonstrable experience designing and managing MEL frameworks for multi-stakeholder projects or programmes. At least two years' experience working in or with stakeholders from the Global South, preferably in agricultural or commodity supply chain contexts. Experience in coffee and bananas is an advantage.

Language requirements: Fluency in English required. Professional proficiency in Spanish is a advantage.

Job Specific Competencies/knowledge:

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning
Project and Programme Management
International Development Expertise
Stakeholder Management
Planning and execution
Data Collection Design and Management
Evaluation Design and Commissioning
Enhancing data-driven decision making
Data Analysis (quantitative and qualitative)
Data Reporting and Synthesis
Capacity Building

Personal Qualities:

Cross-cultural communication
Facilitation
Rapid Learning
Collaboration/Teamwork
Customer Service
Presentation Skills
Relationship Management
Evidence Collecting
Flexibility
Feedback sourcing

Software/Tools:

Microsoft 365 (Excel, Word, Outlook, Powerpoint, Teams, Planner)
Kobo Toolbox (or similar survey design and implementation tools)
Miro (or similar online whiteboarding tools)
Canva (or similar graphic design tools)
Claude.ai (or similar AI tools)
Toladata (or similar project monitoring MEL platform)
Power BI (or similar business intelligence software)

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

This is a two-year full-time position within Fairtrade International.
Location is at Fairtrade International offices in Bonn, Germany with the opportunity for hybrid work arrangements
The office language is English.
Salary as per the Collective Bargaining Agreement for the Wholesale and Foreign Trade Industries for North Rhine Westphalia Group 6a and over tariff payments starting from €5455 Gross per month
Holiday Bonus and 13th salary
30 days of holidays per year (for fulltime employees)
Subsidised public transportation ticket
Subsidised meal services
Childcare cost subsidy

Please note that Fairtrade International is strict on compliance with the required qualification criteria mentioned above, and only those candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.

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