Compliance Manager

Position based in Koforidua, Ghana (West Africa)

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Company description

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Maagrace Garment Industries Limited (MGIL) is an apparel manufacturing firm created in 2003. Currently the factory has approximately 500 operators with the space to grow to employ 800 individuals. It is the largest employer in a region of a million people. Their vision is to develop a model factory that can show how ethical manufacturing can be done at scale in an African context. This will be achieved through innovation, efficiency and integrity, providing the best quality products to customers whilst empowering their workforce, especially women. MGIL also has a Foundation focused on alleviating poverty within its neighboring communities.  

MGIL is partnering with Ethical Apparel Africa (EAA), a sourcing company that provides international apparel brands with ethical, cost competitive and quality manufacturing solutions in West Africa. Based in Ghana, EAA has a dynamic team bringing decades of experience from around the world in product development, quality assurance, account management, social impact, operations and finance. EAA works with West African factories to build technical and ethical standards to international standards. Their clients are international brands mostly from Europe and the USA interested in growing a manufacturing base in Africa.

Position overview

 

We have a great opportunity for someone with passion and desire to make a difference in clothing manufacturing to join us as Compliance Manager. This is the perfect role for someone willing to learn and grow on the job in a more and more recognized sector and growing industry. This person will be based in Koforidua and report to the Senior Operations Manager and will work closely with the EAA team in Accra, especially the EAA Compliance and Impact Manager. They will be responsible to move MGIL towards compliance and beyond compliance. More specifically, they will have the following responsibilities: 

 

Responsibilities

 

Social compliance 

• Support MGIL in the process of becoming internationally certified (starting with WRAP certification).

• Assess MGIL continuous progress towards health & safety and environmental, social accountability, security, risk management systems, business ethics and integrity, workers’ empowerment (against EAA social compliance tool) and agree on corrective action plans with the Senior Operation and Production Managers

• Build management systems and measurement tools for social, health & safety and environmental best practices & compliance accordingly.

• Collect workers feedback via focus group discussions and liaise with the HR Officer in supporting the Workers committee on an ongoing basis to verify progress against corrective action plan

• Develop training programs on social compliance with a focus on health & safety, workers’ rights, security, housekeeping etc

• Work with external training providers to facilitate training to improve soft skill levels from operators to middle management and raise awareness (including living wage, anti modern slavery).

• Ensure systematic sustainable compliance with regards to Ghana regulation and law

• Support MGIL in becoming a Model Factory in Ghana demonstrating to all other factories that this is possible and desirable

• Contribute to the success of the clean room project implementation following compliance and H&S international standards.

 

Workers empowerment and empowerment

• Work closely with the EAA Compliance and Impact team to assess worker needs and profiles via baseline surveys and contribute to the design of worker empowerment and wellbeing programs 

• Complete Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) framework for each benefit programme and make recommendations for future programmes.

• Support Brands’ / clients’ visits at the factory and highlight progress and vision on compliance and impact in order to develop engaged / sustained partnerships

• Complete monthly reports on factory progress, risk analysis and next priorities.

• Develop marketing material on factory social compliance and impact to share with partner brands, development agencies and funding partners (e.g. foundations).

 

Qualifications & Attributes

 

• Fluent in English and twi 

• Bachelor's Degree in Auditing, Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability, Ethical Trading Management, Human Rights, Law or Related Field

• Minimum 2 years of experience in Social Compliance, Quality Management Systems and EHS specifically, in apparel & footwear factory environments preferred

• Experience in women empowerment and gender auditing and training a plus

• Previous experience and passion to train and build local capacity

• Exceptional communication and presentation skills across cultures and ability to deliver strong technical reports

• Ability to work independently on self-directed projects with an entrepreneurial attitude

• Ability to think critically, work hard, learn and progress

• Evidence of the following characteristics: pro-active, self aware; resilient and adaptable; persistent and resourceful; able to work under pressure and respect deadlines, apt at both strengthening relationships and resolving problems, poised, active listener; fun to work with; full of integrity; ability to multi-task and thrive in a fast-paced environment 

 

Benefits

 

• Salary level dependent on candidate experience and profile

• 25 days of annual leave in addition to Ghana national holidays, sick leave

• Opportunity to join a key department of an award-winning, dynamic, and mission driven organization that welcomes strategic input from all members

 

How to apply 

 

• Start date : asap

• Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis

• Please send a resume and specific cover letter for the position to talent@ethicalapparelafrica.com with the reference in the subject line “MGIL Compliance 2022”

• Only completed applications with accurate reference will be considered and only the most qualified candidates shortlisted for interview

• MGIL is an equal opportunity employer, both men and women are encouraged to apply.

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For more information: www.ethicalapparelafrica.com 

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