The International Seed Testing Association (ISTA), whose headquarters are based in Zürich, Switzerland, has a vacancy for the position of Head of ISTA Accreditation and Technical Department (HoAT).

ISTA is a non-profit Association, under the Swiss Law. It produces internationally agreed rules for seed sampling and testing, accredits laboratories, promotes research, and disseminates knowledge in seed science and technology. Its membership currently consists of laboratories, personal members and associate members, from 80 countries around the world.

The successful candidate will be responsible for Managing the ISTA Accreditation and Technical Department; oversee the ISTA Accreditation Body, Audit program and Proficiency Testing; Quality Assurance education, and actively participating in the ISTA Secretariat Management Team.

The requirements for this role are:

Experience: At least 5 years of management experience showing progressively increased responsibility, preferably in a Quality Assurance capacity in the seed sector or related fields.

Education: Degree in an Agriculture/Life science related field and/or a Business and Management degree. Quality assurance/control training an advantage

Required Skills, Knowledge and Characteristics:

• Strong effective communicator.
• Work independently in a flexible, employee empowering work environment.
• Highly developed, demonstrated team work skills.
• Managerial experience and leadership ability; manage and coordinate teams of contracted technical and quality assurance specialists from all over the world.
• Demonstrated ability to increase productivity and continuously improve methods, approaches and contribution. Commitment to continuous learning.
• Demonstrated effectiveness in holding conversations with customers/members, and customer-focused product/service development and outreach.
• Demonstrated ability to see the big picture and provide useful advice and input across the association.
• Previous experience and qualifications as an auditor.
• Ability to lead in an environment of constant change.
•  Familiarity with the global QA landscape, accreditation and certification schemes and evolution.
• Professional computer skills in MS office programmes.Able to contribute to development of on-line educational and managerial tools.
• Fluent in English (both oral and written skills), additional languages - an asset. 
• Must be ready and willing to travel internationally

Overview of Job Requirements - Head of ISTA Accreditation and Technical Department (HoAT):

The HoAT must be able to perform effectively the following:

• Responsible for the management and operations of the ISTA Accreditation Body; function as the Association’s Quality Manager.
• Participate in, and support the activities and function of the Executive Committee Working Group on Accreditation.
• Supervision of Accreditation and Technical  Department staff including Managing and coordinating the team of System and Technical Auditors and their operations.
• Provide annual Rules proposals to the Rules Technical Committee resulting from feedback from the Audit team
• Collaborate and communicate with the Proficiency Tests Technical Committee and the Technical Committees Coordinator.
• Oversees the logistics and execution of the Proficiency Test programme.
• Oversee the Accreditation Department area of the ISTA website
• Under the leadership of the Secretary General and together with the Administration Department Head form the Secretariat Management Team.
• Support overarching Secretariat activities like Marketing and Publication as they relate to Accreditation.
• Support organisation and initiation of QA workshops. Designing and preparing future educational initiatives
•  Address member queries in regard to Accreditation, Proficiency Test Programme and technical questions.

To apply: please send your cover letter, résumé, and the names and contact information of three references to:

ISTA Secretariat
Zürichstrasse 50
8303 Bassersdorf
Switzerland

ista.office@ista.ch

Deadline for application: 30 May 2015.