| Date posted | 19 May 2022 |
| Applications closing date | 31 July 2022 |
| Location | Guangzhou, China |
| Type | Full time |
| Pathway | B – Technical and Consultancy Services |
| Reports to | China Director |
Introduction to Impactt
Impactt is a leading consultancy specialising in ethical trade, human rights and labour standards. We work with major brands, retailers, governments, academics and NGOs to maximise the positive impacts of global trade on workers and local communities. With offices in the UK, Bangladesh, China, India, and a wide network of consultants across Europe, Asia and Africa, we are internationally recognised for our change focused, practical and innovative approach. Impactt works with a wide range of stakeholders, from large retailers and government bodies to factory workers and local communities. Often the experiences and languages of these different stakeholders are so far apart that they do not ‘see’ or interact with each other. Impactt helps to bridge the gap and deliver real change on the ground.
Job Purpose
The Consultant will be based in Guangzhou and should be prepared to undertake travels as required. They will be working with the rest of the Impactt team to develop and deliver high-quality project work and develop and manage their own team. They will be responsible for advising on varied projects from child labour remediation to improvements in HR or CSR or the agriculture field to training. They will assume the overall management of several client portfolios. Knowledge and experience of working in HR or CSR or Agriculture is required; the balance between the above topics will depend on the quality of the applicant.
Key Responsibilities
Be responsible for all aspects of project management and delivery, including, but not limited to:
- Lead assessments and consultancy programs, especially on the topics of HR or CSR or Agriculture related to increase supply chain management capacity and raise their awareness to improve labour standards
- Lead various capacity building projects for workers, farms and international companies on supply chain labour standard issues in China
- Develop materials, guidelines and tools to implement various projects
- Serve as a resource person on expertise and assist Impactt in strengthening project quality and internal development through exchanges of information, collaboration on initiatives and cross-learning
- Develop marketing materials as required on specific topics
- Write clear and concise proposals, reports and other works in English and Chinese
- Liaise with our UK offices, local and international clients and partners
- To liaise with clients, suppliers and other external stakeholders relating to progress on and delivery of desired improvements
- Develop client trust and secure repeat business where appropriate
- Develop new business with new clients, develop and maintain excellent client relationships
- Delivers accurate work, including paying attention to detail
- Demonstrating strong analytical skills and ability to provide strategic advice to clients
- Support Impactt’s international consultancy team to deliver on projects
Candidate specification
| Category | Description | Essential / Desirable |
| Language proficiency | Fluent in reading, writing and speaking Chinese and English | Essential |
| Qualifications | Degree or equivalent qualification in a related field such as management, international development, business studies, human rights, or successful proven track record in sustainability/social/ethical trade | Essential |
| Evidence of continually developing professional knowledge | Desirable | |
| Experience | 2 to 3 years of experience in HR or CSR, or the Agriculture sector. Consultancy experience is strongly preferred. | Essential |
| Ethical/social audit experience or understanding of factory set-up | Essential | |
| Project management experience incorporating the planning and progressing project management activities using general project management principles, using initiative and judgement | Essential | |
| Significant experience of working/responding independently and dealing with unforeseen problems and circumstances | Essential | |
| International and cross-cultural work experience with a sensitivity to a multi-cultural global environment/working in developing countries | Essential | |
| Significant experience in or exposure to social compliance auditing and/or beyond compliance activities | Essential | |
| Experience in business development including replying to RFPs and proposal writing | Essential | |
| Experience managing a team | Essential | |
| Line management/supervisory experience – coaching, motivation, managing performance | Essential | |
| Substantial experience delivering fieldwork independently | Essential | |
| Experience in developing innovative solutions and contributing to strategic planning | Essential | |
| Knowledge and skills | Extensive knowledge of ethical trade, how supply chains work and the social compliance agenda | Essential |
| Excellent data analysis skills involving advanced use of Microsoft Excel and large data sets | Essential | |
| Excellent report writing skills | Essential | |
| Excellent presentation, training and facilitation skills | Essential | |
| Strong knowledge of project accounting | Desirable | |
| Detailed operational knowledge of ethical trade/responsible sourcing/the social compliance agenda beyond compliance activities | Essential | |
| Proven analytical and problem-solving capability | Essential | |
| Proven communication and interpersonal skills including the ability to negotiate, motivate, influence and build relationships | Essential | |
| Understanding of relevant policy and legislation (Labour laws, ILO conventions, and international legislation) to area of work | Essential | |
| Proven ability to communicate with clients, resulting in regular repeat business | Essential | |
| Proactive and highly organised, with strong time management, problem-solving and planning skills | Essential | |
| Able to meet tight deadlines and remain calm under pressure | Essential | |
| Knowledge of project management principles | Essential | |
| Other | Ability to work outside normal hours including attendance at evening and occasional weekend meetings | Essential |
| Ability to travel periodically nationally and internationally to the locations that Impactt conducts its business | Essential | |
| Committed to the values and objectives of Impactt | Essential |
Personal attributes
The post holder should have and display the following personal attributes:
- Passionate about Impactt and the work we do.
- Strong self-management and good team player.
- Strong sense of initiative and great capacity at working on their own.
- Pro-active, thinking about future actions and sharing best practices with the team.
- Adaptable and solutions orientated
- Reliable, strong integrity and ethical behaviour
- Excellent listening and interpersonal skills
- Empathy with others and ability to respond accordingly
By delivering on these accountabilities and responsibilities, the post holder will make a significant contribution to Impactt’s five-year strategy to:
- Make positive impacts on 6 million workers globally
- Work with 150+ clients globally
- Grow the Impactt team of human rights and business experts and specialists to over 70 people globally
- Contribute to achieving £6 million turnover
- Cultivate a hard-working, high performing team globally
Application and Closing Date
To apply for this role, please submit a cover letter and your CV by Sunday 31 July 2022. Regrettably, this role is only open to candidates who already have the right to work and live in China.
