Horticulture Representative for Standards Board

Opportunity

This is an opportunity to play an important role in the Soil Association’s multi-stakeholder standards-setting process, as the horticulture sector representative on our Standards Board.
The Standards Board is an independent committee, overseeing strategy and development of standards for Soil Association, UK & EU organic farming & food, COSMOS beauty & cosmetics, GOTS textiles and other Soil Association developed schemes.
We are looking for a horticulture expert to represent this diverse and complex sector. Your experience and practical knowledge of horticulture and related industries will help the Soil Association remain a leading influencer and organic standards setter.
You will advise on mandates outlining objectives for horticulture, developed by staff-led steering groups. You will advise on standards development and assessing the impact of our standards, and oversee specialist task and finish groups as needed.

About You

The essential qualities we need are that:

You are a Soil Association licensee and/or have practical experience and technical knowledge of issues around organic horticulture;

You are a clear thinker;

You communicate well and have good interpersonal skills;

You are plugged into leading industry networks such as the Organic Grower’s Alliance, or Fruit and Vegetable Alliance;

You have empathy with the Soil Association’s objectives for food, organic products, farming and forestry.

Time commitment

Able to attend up to three face-to-face or virtual meetings per year.

Preparatory reading in advance of meetings.

Other involvement as appropriate.

Reasonable expenses will be covered (according to our expenses policy).

It would also be desirable for you to have some experience of committee work, and/or of monitoring and evaluating the impact of projects and schemes within your sector

Important dates

The closing date for applications is 9am, Thursday 1st August 2024. Online interviews will take place on 7th & 8th August 2024.