SOCIAL COMPLIANCE MANAGER

Position based in Accra, Ghana (West Africa)

 

Company description

 

Ethical Apparel Africa is a sourcing company that provides international apparel brands with ethical, cost competitive and quality manufacturing solutions in West Africa. Our vision is to demonstrate that ethical manufacturing can and should be done at scale, not just associated with luxury or expensive products. Based in Ghana and Benin, 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 is working to unlock the tremendous potential of the West Africa apparel industry, supporting African-owned factories to grow exports to the US, UK, and Europe. EAA focuses on developing factories in a lean, sustainable, and ethical way that sets the standard for garment manufacturing in a West African context. We work closely with government and development agencies to develop an ecosystem for industrial growth -- including the launch of a Center of Excellence for local skill development and efforts to catalyze investment in an integrated cotton value chain. By 2023 we aim to create 2,500 worthwhile jobs in the apparel sector in West Africa. This is an exciting time to join EAA.

 

Position overview

 

We have a great opportunity for someone with passion and desire to make a difference in clothing manufacturing to join us as Social Compliance Manager. This is the perfect role for someone wishing to challenge their expertise by helping to develop the industry to do the right thing from the beginning on a new continent. This person would report to the Technical Director and work closely with the EAA teams in Ghana and Benin. They will be responsible to move Partner Factories towards compliance and beyond compliance and create Model Factories in the region. More specifically, they will have the following responsibilities: 

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Responsibilities

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Social compliance and factory capacity building

• Assess Partner Factories’ 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 factory managers.

• Support factories in building management systems and measurement tools for social, health & safety and environmental best practices & compliance accordingly.

• Conduct follow up visits to verify progress against corrective action plan including the collection of workers feedback via focus group discussions. 

• In collaboration with the factory managers, develop training programs on social compliance with a focus on health & safety / workers’ rights.

• 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).

• Support factory in the process of becoming internationally certified (e.g. WRAP, SA8000 certification).

• Ensure in-depth ongoing research on international standards and local law requirements to ensure systematic sustainable compliance for Ghana and Benin.

• Actively contribute to the development of new Model Factories across the region demonstrating to all other factories that this is possible and desirable

• Contribute to the success of innovative projects such as a clean room following compliance and H&S international standards.

 

Impact projects development and workers empowerment

• Work with the Senior Leadership team to design Impact programmes that are industry leading for worker empowerment in line with EAA’s partnership to create a model factory in Ghana

• Facilitate the preparation of Partner Brands’ visits at the factory to highlight progress and vision on impact, with the goal of developing engaged / sustained brand partnerships.

• Develop partnerships with relevant local and international stakeholders (CSR departments of local businesses, the ILO, development partners, NGOs) willing to engage in impact projects (social and environmental).

• Introduce best social compliance thinking for Partner Factories based on research about international best practices and market role models

• Work closely with the Social Impact Director to assess worker needs and profiles via baseline surveys and contribute to the design of innovative social and environmental programs within factories.

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

 

Report and Communication

• 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 and Funders (EAA Foundation)

• Actively communicate with the Technical and Accounts teams to align strategies for factory development.

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Qualifications & Attributes

 

• Fluent in English 

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

• Minimum 5 years of experience in Social Compliance, Quality Management Systems and EHS specifically in apparel & footwear factory environments

• Required auditor experience in conducting social compliance factory audits.

• In depth knowledge and understanding of international standards (including WRAP, C-TPAT, SEDEX, BSCI, OEKO-TEX, SA8000, OHSAS 18001, ISO 14001 etc) international regulations (ILO conventions and training and development programs) as well as brands Code of Conduct and Compliance Manuals

• Proven successful experience in supporting apparel & footwear factories who passed international certification

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

• Previous experience and passion to train and build local capacity

• Experience of working with Western brands from the USA or Europe

• 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

• Previous working/living experience in a developing country, ideally in Africa

• 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

• Annual flight allowance

• Accommodation and transportation

• Health and repatriation insurance

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

• 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 “Compliance 2020”

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

 

For more information: www.ethicalapparelafrica.com 

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