Global Field Digitalisation Manager

Better Cotton

About Better Cotton 

Better Cotton is the world’s largest cotton sustainability programme. Our 200+ colleagues of 37+ nationalities are united by a shared passion and commitment to achieving the Better Cotton mission: to help cotton communities survive and thrive, while protecting and restoring the environment. Through our network of field-level partners a quarter of the world’s cotton is now grown under the Better Cotton Standard. We have united the industry’s stakeholders behind our efforts, from ginners and spinners to brand owners, civil society organisations and governments. Everyone who cares about cotton and its sustainable future can now be part of something better.  

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 behaviors 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. 

About this role 

The role of Field Digitalisation Manager was established in 2022, and since then significant foundation work has been done including formulation of field data policy, data governance processes, digitalisation rollout strategy and field data tools selection. We are using a variety of tools including PowerBI, CommCare, ODK and QGIS. The rollout of our new field data app has started in Pakistan and India, which will make data collection easier and lead to improved data quality. Meanwhile Better Cotton has evolved in new dimensions, creating demand for new types of field data and result insights for impact. We intend to grow a team, under the remit of by this position, which can respond by delivering Impact evidence digitalisation and geospatial innovations. 

Responsibilities 

1. Rollout Field Data Policy

• Develop and implement policy rollout plan, identify changes to other functions and implement capacity building plan for CT and PPs (if needed)
• Support the country management in the implementation of the Field Data Policy.
• Develop field data standards and maintain field data framework

2. Expedite Field Data Digitalisation Rollout Plan:

• Supervise in-country digitalisation coordinators 
• Oversee country specific field data digitalisation rollout plans 
• Establish and oversee a user support system to address inquiries and requests related to digital tools and systems.
• Monitor progress and adjust strategies as needed to achieve country digitalisation plan

3. Geospatial Innovation

• Design and execute pilots to streamline geospatial data collection (polygonal fields and others) in diverse field conditions
• Design and execute pilots to harness the potential of remote sensing in determining cotton acreage and yield estimation
• Ensure diversification of field data collection tools with continuous effort to achieve higher level of value for money
• Ensure that field data collection tools are placed to handle geospatial data and engage our in-house IT Services team to support with storage, management and visualisation of geospatial data.

4. Impact Evidence digitalisation

• Work on conceptualising ideas on how impact credits can be designed based on field data input and how credits will reach back to the farmers

5. Capacity Building

• Engage in-country digitalisation staff on tools and processes related to field data digitalisation, GIS/RS, impact crediting

6. Cross-functional Collaboration:

• Work closely with Impact, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) and IT teams to ensure aligned and consistent approaches.
• Collaborate with Programs, Traceability and Standards/Assurance teams to integrate digitalisation efforts into core operational activities.

7.Manage field digitalisation resources:

• Budget holder for field digitalisation expenditure
• Line manages 2 x global FD team members
• Line or matrix manage country digitalisation team members  

Expected Behaviours:

• Technical knowledge: You will gain and maintain a deep technical knowledge of our software, including its layered functionality, reporting capabilities, data schema and business logic. Furthermore, you will understand how the tools integrate with other internal IT tools and the relevant data flows.
• Management rigour: You will have a working knowledge of product, project and/or change management methodologies, and always be seeking to learn about new approaches and frameworks in these areas.
• Communication skills: You will be a star communicator, exhibiting strong stakeholder engagement skills and the ability to communicate clearly and concisely with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds.
• Adapting to changes: This role requires someone that can be adaptable to change and maintain flexibility in unexpected circumstances, thriving in fast-paced environments.
• Strategy management: You must formulate and execute strategic plans that align with businessobjectives, identifying and mitigating organisation risks and ensuring that the software tools that are used function optimally.
• Budget monitoring: You will be responsible for budget monitoring and invoice allocation and must ensure that money is spent wisely to meet project objectives while minimising costs.
• Team management: You are responsible for managing the global Field Digitalisation team, fostering a positive work environment, monitoring the team's performance against goals and provide regular feedback that helps team members improve their performance.

We are looking for someone who has

The selected candidate will have the following skills, knowledge, and experience: 

 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
• Flexible working, with core hours from 10 am to 4 pm local time
• Continuous learning and development
• Pension scheme
• 25 days paid annual leave, plus 8-9 Bank Holidays and a further 3 days off over Christmas
• 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 either in Lahore, Pakistan or Delhi, India. Better Cotton offers flexible working, with core hours being 10 am – 4 pm and the option to work from home two or three days per week. Travel will be required.   

Apply now

Interested applicants with the required attributes are asked to send, in English, a detailed CV and a brief cover letter (2 pages maximum) to Better Cotton via the below link. 

Application deadline: 22.09.2024