Terms of Reference

Consultant – Sustainable Rice Platform

Purpose
1. The Sustainable Rice Platform e.V. (SRP) is a global multi‐stakeholder alliance of over 100 institutional members from public, private, research, civil society and the financial sector. The initiative was originally co‐convened by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and private sector partners. SRP works with its partners to transform the global rice sector by improving smallholder livelihoods, reducing the social, environmental and climate footprint of rice production, and by offering the global rice market an assured supply of sustainably produced rice.
2. In January 2020, SRP was incorporated under German law as a member‐based not-for-profit international Association (eingetragener Verein, e.V.) in Bonn, Germany, with a subsidiary in Thailand to support the operations of the SRP Secretariat in Bangkok. The Secretariat’s finance team manages book-keeping and submission of monthly figures to SRP’s accountant in Germany, which is responsible for preparing and auditing annual accounts, tax compliance and communications with the German tax authorities.
3. As a global multistakeholder platform, SRP offers proven practical tools and partnerships to address sustainability challenges facing rice smallholders. SRP is attracting increasing interest as a project partner among bilateral and multilateral agencies and development partners.
4. In October 2023 the General Assembly approved an amendment to the Articles of Association to eliminate the statutory requirement for a treasurer to be a legal representative of the Association enabling the Board to appoint a qualified and experienced external professional to fulfil the tasks of a treasurer without requiring the individual to be affiliated to a member organization. This change empowers the Board to appoint a consultant taking over the treasurer`s task with the required specialist expertise.
Objectives and scope of work
1. The Consultant will provide direction for the financial management of the organization and support the Board in meeting its fiduciary and financial oversight responsibilities, overseeing the finances of both the main legal entity (SRP e.V.) and its subsidiary (SRP Services (Thailand) plc).
2. The scope of work for the Consultant covers the following:
  - Provide direction for oversight of the organization's record keeping and accounting policies.
  - Review and recommend actions to uphold financial policies and procedures
  - Oversight over Secretariat actions to ensure regulatory compliance in Germany and Thailand, with a focus on maintaining not-for-profit tax-exempt status.

- - Provide guidance to the Secretariat on financial planning, fund management and

development of the SRP’s business model.

- - Oversee and endorse all financial plans or revisions to plans for Board approval.
  - Plan and oversee adherence to the annual financial budget.
  - Assess and monitor fiduciary and financial risks.
  - Present annual financial statements prepared by SRP’s accountant to the Annual

General Assembly on behalf of the Board.

- - With the Finance and Business Development Committee, review recommendations of the independent auditor, develop remediation plans if necessary and present the results to the Board.
- The Consultant will liaise closely with the Board Chair, Chair of the Board Committee on Finance and Business Development (FBDC), Executive Director and Secretariat administrative staff. The Consultant is accountable to the Board and shall also attendthe meetings of the Board Committee on Finance and Business Development as a non-voting guest at the invitation of the Chair of the FBDC. Secretariat administrative staff will duly provide the Consultant with all information necessary for the Consultant to fulfil his duties under the Agreement.
Remuneration
1. The Consultant will receive an annual stipend of €10,000, with an estimated time input of 2-3 days per month. Travel will be agreed in advance with costs to be fully reimbursable under the SRP Travel Policy.
Duration and work modality
1. The assignment will commence on 1 December 2023 with a term of 1 year, renewable by mutual agreement with the Board. The Consultant will contribute primarily on a remote basis, with periodic visits to the Secretariat in Bangkok, and participation in any in- person meetings of the SRP Board.