The IOAS is a leading mission driven non-profit organisation incorporated in North Dakota, USA with staff based in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Spain, Slovenia, the United Kingdom and the USA. We work in the field of accreditation and assessment of bodies engaged in inspection and certification of organic and sustainable agriculture and related fields. Our work in oversight of conformity assessment assists in the development of various private and regulatory schemes by enhancing fairness for producers and building trust in ‘eco-labels’ by consumers.
We work with an increasing number of scheme owners (COSMOS, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, European Commission, GlobalG.A.P., GOTS, IFOAM, NATRUE, Textile Exchange) and the accreditation and assessment services we provide cover organic agriculture, sustainable agriculture, organic textiles, organic and natural cosmetics, recycled products, animal welfare claims, fair trade, social compliance and food safety. IOAS clients are based all over the world.
The day-to-day work of the IOAS is performed by 14 staff with support from a number of contracted assessors and technical experts. For more information about our work, please visit www.ioas.org.
As a result of expanding workloads in 2020 due to an increased number of applicants we are seeking qualified Technical Assessors with experience in organic and sustainable textile and recycling schemes and related industries, who are located in India, China, or surrounding areas, primarily for the purpose of conducting file reviews and completing audits of operator inspections as part of accreditation assessment activities (ie scope specific witness and/or review audits).
Terms
1. This is a freelance contract opportunity, with compensation based on a daily rate.
2. Assignments will be offered by IOAS on an as-needed basis. The contractor may reject assignments based on availability and/or ability to complete the work.
3. You will work from your own office with some work being conducted remotely but it is expected that significant travel will be required, and the contractor must be able to organize travel arrangements and submit all expense receipts as applicable.
4. The contractor is obligated to do the assessment work independently, it shall not be subcontracted in any capacity.
5. All assessment preparation, execution, and reporting shall be completed based on the IOAS requirements and forms.
Requirements
Successful applicants will have at least 4 of the following:
• minimum 5 years’ experience in roles in the textiles and/or recycling industry;
• good technical knowledge of textile manufacturing processes such as ginning, spinning, wet and dry processing, dyeing and finishing;
• knowledge and experience with environmental and social aspects of the textile industry;
• experience with inspection, certification and audit technique. Lead Assessor Qualification is preferred but not required;
• experience with implementing and/or maintaining and/or auditing a Quality Management System in a textiles manufacturing setting;
• familiarity with GOTS and Textile Exchange Certification Standards and requirements;
• specialist knowledge of assessment of chemical inputs for GOTS organic textiles.
The role may suit academics, researchers or freelance auditors working in this field. Applicants must be able to work on their own as well as part of a team, show good attention to detail and maintain the highest level of integrity. Fluency in spoken English is essential with an ability to write clear, well-structured reports. At least one other language is highly desirable. Training on IOAS assessment will be provided.
Application
Please visit our website to download the application form (FR0403), and submit the completed form, along with Curriculum Vitae, references, and copies of applicable certifications/qualifications to info@ioas.org with subject line ‘2020 Assessor Recruitment’, Attn: David Crucefix
Closing date
December 20, 2020
