Executive Director of the International Cocoa

International Cocoa Organization
Westgate House, Westgate Road
Ealing, LONDON, W5 1YY
Telephone: +44-208-991-6000
United Kingdom

To:    All Members 

From:    The Executive Director

Subject:    Post of Executive Director of the International Cocoa Organization

The Executive Director presents his compliments and has the honour to inform Members that, at its 92nd regular session which took place in London from 23-25 September 2015, the International Cocoa Council decided to launch the procedure for the appointment of a new Executive Director.  The deadline for receipt of applications is Thursday, 31 March 2016.  The nomination of an Executive Director will take place in September 2016 during the 94th regular session of the Council.  This will enable the new Executive Director to take up his/her position on 1 January 2017 indicative.  Members are therefore kindly requested to bring the vacancy to the attention of qualified candidates in their respective countries.

The criteria for the post of Executive Director are provided in the attached Annex I to this document, for the information and guidance of applicants.

RESPONSIBILITIES
The Executive Director is the Chief Executive Officer of the Organization and is accountable to the International Cocoa Council.

REMUNERATION
A competitive salary package, based on the grade of Under-Secretary General (USG) on the   United Nations’ salary scale.

TENURE
The appointment of the Executive Director will be for a fixed term, five-year contract, renewable once.

DUTY STATION
Abidjan, or any other duty station determined by the Council.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
Candidates for the post of Executive Director must satisfy the criteria set out in the attached Annex I to this document.

Applications should be submitted in any of the four working languages of the Organization (English, French, Russian and Spanish) and should include a covering letter, a curriculum vitae, a recent photograph, three references confirming the candidate’s required experience and skills and a vision statement on the world cocoa economy.  If the application is not submitted in English, translation into that language should be provided.  The short-listed candidates will also be required to make an oral presentation of their vision statement to the International Cocoa Council during its 94th regular session in September 2016 in London.  The application should also include a letter of endorsement from the supporting Government.

Applications must be submitted by post and should be addressed to:
The Executive Director 
International Cocoa Organization
Westgate House, Westgate Road
Ealing, London W5 1YY
United Kingdom

A copy of the application may also be sent by email tojeanmarc.anga@icco.org and copied to sophia.petros@icco.org.

14 December 2015

ED(MEM) 996/REV.1
ANNEX 1

CRITERIA FOR THE SELECTION OF A NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR     

In order for the Council to examine their applications, candidates for the post of Executive Director must satisfy the following criteria:

1)    Nationality
Candidates shall be nationals of ICCO Member countries including countries that have signed the International Cocoa Agreement, 2010 and shall be endorsed by their respective governments.  Only one candidate per country can be endorsed.  Candidates that are nationals of countries with unpaid contributions to the Organization may not be considered. 

The cost of travel to London and subsistence of the short-listed candidates will be borne by the Member governments endorsing the candidates.

2)    Background
At least a Master’s Degree or equivalent from a recognized University or Institution of Higher Education (Post Graduate qualification is a requirement as the Executive Director supervises highly qualified staff in the Professional and Higher categories who hold advanced degrees               (e.g., M.A., M.Sc., PhD.)

3)    Professional Experience
At least fifteen (15) years of professional experience with a minimum of five (5) years at management level in Government, international organizations, industry/commerce, engineering etc.  Experience within the field of commodities could be an advantage;
Fundraising skills, excellent communication skills, inspirational leadership, flexibility in approach; demonstrated ability to bind and motivate people to work together as a team;
Candidates should be of high personal integrity.

4)    Age
Following United Nations practice, there is no age limit for a post at this level.

5)    Languages
Excellent knowledge of English, both spoken and written, is essential. Working knowledge of French as the official language of the host country would be desirable. One or more of the other working languages of the Organization (Spanish, Russian) would be an advantage.

6)    Tenure
Five years, renewable once.

7)    Grading
The appointment will be at Under Secretary-General (USG) level of the United Nations salary scale. 

In selecting a candidate, the Organization shall have in mind a good gender balance.