Job Description

The Pakistan Programmes team is looking for a dynamic Officer who will support Better Cotton’s Capacity building initiatives at the field level and assist Partnerships and impact workstreams where needed. The Programme Officer will work on capacity building measures, cascading models, and continuous improvement of the sustainable practices at the farm level. The candidate will provide support in designing and executing strategies through which programme partners ensure quality implementation as per the Better Cotton Standard System and to achieve Better Cotton’s 2030 targets.

In addition, the Officer will also support partnerships portfolio with onboarding and ongoing management and monitoring of programme partners along with helping out with the comprehensive GIF application and evaluation cycle. With a growing partnership base in the country (including knowledge and programme partners), the Officer will ensure that these partners receive adequate support and capacity strengthening

The Challenge

Looking ahead to 2030, we are targeting reducing GHG emissions from cotton production by half, big cuts in synthetic pesticide use, improve soil health across our network, improve farm income and support women’s empowerment among farmers and farm workers. 

As Partnership & CB Officer, you will be responsible for ensuring our external and internal communications are impactful, connect with our audiences and reflect the strength of our value proposition.

Interviews for this position will be conducted over rolling basis.

Areas that play to your strengths

We are seeking a motivated Officer to join our programmes team. In this role, you will be responsible:

CAPACITY BUILDING

• Work with country and global CS team on designing new material on impact design, monitoring and reporting for Moodle and other platforms  


• Facilitate the capacity building activities including the cascading model, master trainer program, PU Managers training and relevant follow-up activities jointly with programme partners.


• Support the capacity building worksteam in devising organisational development models for programme partners to strengthen their sustainable cotton farming practices and learning methodologies.


• Provide research & development and knowledge management support to the capacity building team in identifying the latest social and environmental good practices and orient programme partners regularly in a systematic way.


• Identify the training needs of programme partners and provide capacity building support to ensure the continuous improvement according to Better Cotton Standard Systems (BCSS).


• Execute knowledge exchange networks via creating online/face-to-face formats on key sustainability issues to facilitate programme partners.


• Conduct assessment activities with the assurance team when required.

PARTNERSHIP MANAGEMENT AND MONITORING (SUPPORT)

• Conduct regular field visits and monthly review meetings with partners on their activity plans, performance improvement plans, assurance activities, and impact achievement etc.


• Come up with novel and cost-effective ways to track field activities and practice adoption at the farmer level


• Operate a systematic relationship management and monitoring approach to increase the quality of delivery through programme partners and conduct regular virtual and in-person meetings.


• Implement progress review and learning areas to support the quality programme delivery with structured coordination systems to work with programme partners.


• Provide guidance, reflection and support to partners in the GIF application drafting, budgeting and MEL plan design


• Coordinate and work closely with the global GIF team in partnership management, support and application reviews, scoring and evaluation


• Onboard and support new and existing partners on Better Cotton’s Standard System through customized trainings and knowledge sharing


• Work closely with other team members to ensure that partner progress and potential of scale-up are well communicated and execute measures for the continuous improvement.

Beyond these specific responsibilities, the Sr Programme Coordinator is expected to collaborate on additional activities agreed with the Country Director – Pakistan, Programme Manager - Pakistan and matrix manager (s) from Better Cotton global team.

We are looking for someone who has

Essential

• Minimum of 2-4 years of work experience in development program/project


• At least 1-2 years’ experience of capacity building, grant and partnership Management


• Experience of working in team and individually will be an advantage


• Experience of working with multi-sector stakeholders i.e., government, public and private institutes, rural communities, NGOs, donors, etc


• Master’s degree, or equivalent higher education qualification, in a relevant field (Development/Public Policy/Sustainability/Data/Agriculture)


• Demonstrated interest in sustainability and international development


• Superior skills and aptitude to appraise arguments critically and logically, organise ideas in a clear and concise manner, and draw conclusions and formulate arguments in a way that is effective, concise, and precise


• Experience of working/managing with projects in rural settings


• Understanding of Field dynamics of Pakistan, especially Sindh and Punjab

Desirable

• Strong experience in monitoring and evaluation and/or auditing and/or capacity building and/or relationship management


• Experience with working in cotton farming


• Experience with working in the agriculture sector of Punjab and Sindh province of Pakistan or on social impact areas like livelihoods enhancement, women empowerment

What we offer

• Competitive salary


• Hybrid working – Two to three days/week in the office


• The opportunity to work from anywhere in the world for up to one month per year


• Continuous learning and development


• 25 days paid annual leave, plus 9 Bank Holidays


• Enhanced parental benefits


• A warm, positive working environment where everyone is valued


• The opportunity to make your mark and make a difference

Working arrangements

The position is full-time (40 hours per week) and will be based in Lahore Better Cotton offers flexible working, with core hours being 10 am – 4 pm.  Frequent travel to cotton growing regions will be required.

Apply now

Send us your CV (2 pages maximum) and a brief cover letter (1-page maximum) by or before 02.06.2025 via this link. https://ats.rippling.com/en-GB/better-cotton-careers/jobs/aee9f29d-6d22-46da-beaf-7474c1ccb58d  

In your cover letter, please include an explanation of why your experience is specifically relevant to this role at Better Cotton. We want to see your personal style – what makes you tick and why you think your next opportunity is here with us.

Our hiring process

Initial Screening:

Applicant screening is a crucial step in our recruitment process. This stage may involve a brief phone interview or video call to evaluate your suitability for the position. During this screening, we review resumes and cover letters, and may conduct initial background checks to narrow down the pool of applicant. Internal candidates are encouraged to inform their line manager about their application to promote transparency and help facilitate a smooth transition if selected.

Interviews:

If you successfully pass the initial screening, you will be invited for interviews. The interview process at Better Cotton may include one or more rounds of interviews with various stakeholders, such as the hiring manager, team members, and potentially senior management. As an internal candidate, you may have discussions regarding your current responsibilities and how they will transition to the new position.

Assessment and Testing: 

Depending on the role, you might be required to complete assessments, technical tests, or skills evaluations to gauge your competency and suitability for the position. Internal candidates may have the option to demonstrate their existing skills through current job performance or past project outcomes.

Reference Checks: 

Once you progress further in the process, reference checks are conducted to validate your work history, skills, and qualifications, and for some roles, your education and criminal history. Internal candidates may be asked for references from current or previous supervisors within Better Cotton to provide insights into their performance and capabilities.

Offer stage:

After completing interviews, assessments, and reference checks, the hiring team evaluates your performance and fit for the role. If you are selected and your references are relevant and satisfactory, you will receive a formal job offer letter outlining the terms of employment, compensation, benefits, and any other relevant details. For internal candidates, the offer process may include a discussion about how your transition to the new role will be managed and any support needed for a smooth handover.

About Better Cotton

Better Cotton is a?global not-for-profit organisation?supporting the?production of more?equitable?and?sustainable cotton at farm?level. We exist to catalyse the cotton farming community?with?partners,?governments and others to continuously drive positive impact by setting standards and facilitating the supply and demand of more sustainable cotton from farm to?brand. In just 15 years we have aligned more than a fifth of the world’s cotton with our standard and helped farmers and farming communities thrive. Join us in building a better, more sustainable future for cotton worldwide.

About our Values

The post holder will be expected to operate in line with our workplace values which are:  

• Trustworthy (including honest, transparent, credible) 


• As having Integrity (including responsible, authentic) 


• Positive (including problem-solving, pragmatic) 


• Engaging (including adaptable, inclusive, holistic) 


• Daring (including courageous, innovative, game-changing)  

Being you @ Better Cotton

Better Cotton is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer with a strong commitment to good practice and transparency in the management of natural, human, and financial resources.

We have a zero-tolerance approach to any attitudes or behaviours that put children or adults at risk of harm. Safeguarding incidents are acts of serious misconduct and are grounds for disciplinary action, up to and including, dismissal and referral to relevant authorities for criminal prosecution. Therefore, all offers of employment are subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks.