Opportunity alert: Consultant to revise the FairWild Standard

The FairWild Standard and certification scheme provides assurance that trade in wild-harvested plants and fungi is sustainable and makes positive contributions to conservation and the achievement of social and economic objectives. It is a proven tool to support communities and rural producers to conserve biodiversity and manage their natural resources sustainably. Unique in its sole focus on the harvest and trade in wild-harvested products, FairWild recognise the relationships that collector communities have with the species and landscapes within which they live and work.

The current version of the FairWild Standard (v2.0) has been in place since 2010. While ground-breaking at the time, the global sustainability agenda has continued to evolve over the intervening years, and the Standard and associated implementation tools are now in need of review to enhance the effectiveness of the Standard and increase its impact by enabling wider implementation.

In 2023 we are embarking on a project to revise the Standard content and auditing procedures, with the objectives of modernising the standard, increasing accessibility and useability, providing a modular approach for additional products and complementary certifications, clarifying the scope and applicability in different landscape contexts and increasing clarity in chain of custody and assurance approaches.

We are seeking a consultant to take a key role in this process, which will include:

• Supporting and synthesising the stakeholder consultation process

• Revising the risk assessment methodology

• Developing specific elements for new and emerging issues (including obtaining expert advice on

  these matters)

• Drafting all relevant documentation for content

• Developing new templates for electronic and paper assessments, management plans, and all

  related required documentation

• Revising all of the above post-consultation and pilots.

A key objective of the process is to make the Standard and all related procedures more accessible, clear and concise while at the same time ensuring that the rigour of the Standard system (about risk) is maintained.

The consultancy is expected to extend from late-March to mid-September 2023 on a part-time basis.

We require someone who is experienced in the field of standards and certifications and who has some background in ethnobotany, as well as a commitment to conservation through sustainable use. Excellent communication skills and attention to detail are essential.

Please contact Deborah Vorhies (dvorhies@fairwild.org) to express your interest and for further information. Please supply a CV with your email.

Deadline: 12 March 2023

We are looking forward to creating a fairer and wilder world with you!

You can download the job advert here.