Job Opening: Certification Officer / Manager

Location: Kottayam

Salary: Up to ₹60,000 per month, depending on experience

Additional Benefit: Company car provided for site visits

About the Role

We are looking for a qualified and experienced FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) Certification Officer / Manager to lead the implementation of FSC certification for our smallholder farmers and company operations.

The primary objective of this role is to obtain Forest Management (FM) certification for smallholder farmers and Chain of Custody (CoC) certification for the company. The successful candidate will work closely with farmers, internal teams, and certification bodies to ensure compliance with FSC standards and facilitate a smooth certification and audit process.

This is a hands-on role that requires fieldwork, site mapping, documentation, stakeholder engagement, and a strong understanding of FSC certification requirements.

Key Responsibilities

- FSC Certification: Lead and coordinate the process of obtaining Forest Management (FM) certification for smallholder farmers and Chain of Custody (CoC) certification for the company.
- Farmer Engagement: Serve as the primary point of contact for farmers interested in participating in the FSC certification programme, including onboarding, coordination, and ongoing support.
- Forest Mapping: Conduct and coordinate mapping of all relevant farmer plots and forest sites, ensuring accurate geographical records and maps are available for certification and audit purposes.
- Documentation and Compliance: Prepare, organise, and maintain all required documentation, records, procedures, and compliance systems in accordance with applicable FSC standards.
- Audit Coordination: Liaise with FSC-accredited certification bodies, coordinate audits and site assessments, and ensure that any identified non-conformities are addressed promptly.
- Training and Capacity Building: Provide training and guidance to farmers,



field staff, and other stakeholders on FSC requirements, responsible forest management, and relevant compliance procedures.
- Chain of Custody Implementation: Establish and maintain the necessary systems, records, and procedures to support the company's CoC certification.
- Field Visits: Regularly travel to farmer plots and operational sites to verify information, monitor compliance, collect data, and support certification implementation.
- Progress Monitoring: Track certification milestones, maintain farmer and site databases, and provide regular updates on implementation progress.

Candidate Requirements
- A BSc in Forestry or a related qualification is preferred.
- Previous experience in FSC certification, forest management certification, sustainability auditing, or certification consultancy is highly desirable.
- Experience working as an FSC auditor, supporting certification audits, or implementing FSC certification programmes will be a strong advantage.
- Practical knowledge of FSC Forest Management (FM) and Chain of Custody (CoC) standards and certification procedures.
- Experience in forest or farm mapping, GPS-based data collection, GIS tools, or geospatial mapping.
- Ability to prepare and manage technical documentation, audit records, compliance reports, and site-level data.
- Strong communication and coordination skills, particularly when working with farmers and field teams.
- Willingness and ability to travel regularly between sites.
- A valid driving licence is essential, as the role involves frequent field visits.

What We Offer
- Salary of up to ₹60,000 per month, depending on qualifications and relevant experience.
- Company car provided for site visits.
- An opportunity to lead the development and implementation of an FSC certification programme from the ground up.
- A field-oriented role with the chance to work directly with smallholder farmers and contribute to responsible forest management and sustainable supply chains.

📌 Certification Manager (Kottayam)
🏢 JOSEPH RUBBERS (INDIA) PRIVATE
📍 Kottayam