Apply for the Standards Committee via the following link:
Rainforest Alliance Standards Committee Application - Fill in form
Title: | Rainforest Alliance Standards Committee – Call for expression of interest |
Effective by: | 7th of August, 2026 |
Expires by: | 25th of August, 2026 |
Published on: | 7th of August, 2026 |
Linked to | Rainforest Alliance Standards Development Procedure Terms of Reference Rainforest Alliance Standards Committee |
What is this document about?
This document is an open call for expressions of interest from individuals wishing to serve on the Rainforest Alliance Standards Committee, an independent multi-stakeholder advisory body that supports the development, review, and revision of Rainforest Alliance standards and standards-related documents. It sets out the role of the Committee, what members are asked to do, the time commitment and terms of service, the composition and balance rules governing appointments, the criteria against which every application is assessed, and how to apply. Applications are open to all stakeholders and are assessed against the published criteria in this document. The final Committee is selected to meet binding composition rules covering stakeholder category, geographic representation, and crop coverage.
1. Introduction
The Rainforest Alliance is inviting expression of interest from individuals who wish to serve on the Rainforest Alliance Standards Committee. The Committee is an independent, multi-stakeholder advisory body that supports the development, review and revision of Rainforest Alliance standards and standards-related documents.
We are seeking up to twelve external members who bring practical expertise in sustainable agriculture, human rights, certification and assurance, and who together represent a balance of producer, industry, civil society, and certification body perspectives. We particularly encourage applications from individuals based in the countries where Rainforest Alliance certified production takes place, and from those who work directly with smallholder producers.
1.1 About the Standards Committee
The Standards Committee reviews draft requirements and stakeholder consultation feedback and advises the Rainforest Alliance on whether proposed standards are credible, implementable, and auditable in practice. Its advice is documented. Where Rainforest Alliance departs from the Committee’s advice, the reasons are recorded and published.
Members serve in a personal capacity on the basis of their expertise and experience, not as delegates or representatives of their employer or organization. The committee’s remit covers all Rainforest Alliance standards including the Sustainable Agriculture Standard, the Regenerative Agriculture Standard, the Sustainable Agriculture Standard-Cocoa, the Supply Chain Requirements and any future standard(s) the Rainforest Alliance will seek to develop as well as related normative documents.
1.2 What members are asked to do
Review draft standards and standards-related documents and provide substantive advice on their content.
Consider stakeholder consultation feedback and advise on how material issues should be addressed
Test proposed requirement against real implementation and audit conditions, with particular attention to smallholder producers
Advise on terms of reference and work program for standards development and revision
Contribute to strategic discussions on the direction of the Rainforest Alliance standards system
1.3 Time commitment and terms of service
Item | Detail |
Meetings | Two meetings per calendar year: one in person and one online. Additional meetings may be convened where needed. |
Estimated effort | Approximately 8 to 12 days per year, including document review and meeting preparation. |
Term | [Two] years, renewable up to a maximum of [three] consecutive terms. |
Remuneration | Membership is a voluntary, unpaid position. The Rainforest Alliance covers reasonable travel and accommodation costs for the in-person meeting, and provides logistical support including flights, visas, and hotel arrangements. |
Working language | English. All meetings and documents are in English. |
Confidentiality | Members agree to keep confidential any information received in their role that is reasonably understood to be confidential. |
Conflict of interest | Members disclose any activity that could give rise to a conflict of interest, on appointment and on an ongoing basis. |
2. Composition and balance
Appointments are made to the Committee as a whole, not only on individual merit. The Rainforest Alliance selects a lineup that meets the following binding composition rules, so that no single stakeholder group can control the Committee’s advice.
Stakeholder category | Minimum seats | Who this includes |
Producer representatives | 2 | Producers themselves, or individuals professionally and closely linked to an organization working with producers. The interests of both smallholder group members and estates must be represented. |
Industry representatives | 2 | Individuals working for a manufacturer, processor, trader, retailer, or comparable supply chain actor. |
Civil society representatives or individual experts | 2 | Non-governmental organizations, research institutions, worker or community organizations, or independent experts. |
Certification body representatives | 1 | Individuals working for a certification body operating in certification or assurance. |
In addition, the following rules apply to the composition of the Committee as a whole:
At least 50% of members come from countries where Rainforest Alliance certified production takes place.
The Committee strives to represent a broad range of the crops and/or products covered by Rainforest Alliance certification.
Gender balance and diversity of background and experience are actively considered in the selection process.
One or two Rainforest Alliance staff members serve as non-voting ex-officio members and are not appointed through this call.
2.1 Selection Criteria
Applications are assessed in two stages. Stage one confirms applicant eligibility via a screening. Stage two involves scoring eligible applicants against the assessed criteria below. The final lineup is then structured to meet the composition and balance rules outlined above. Short-listed applicants may be contacted for a short conversation.
2.2 Stage one: eligibility requirements
These following must all be met:
Willingness to serve in a personal capacity, exercising independent judgment rather than acting as a delegate of an employer or organization.
Ability to dedicate the estimated time commitment and to attend and prepare for meetings.
Ability to work in English in a technical setting.
Willingness to sign a conflict of interest declaration and a confidentiality undertaking, and to disclose relevant interests on an ongoing basis.
Commitment to the development of credible, effective sustainability standards and openness to perspectives other than one’s own.
Not an employee or contractor of the Rainforest Alliance.
2.3 Stage two: assessed criteria
Criterion | What we are looking for | Weight |
1. Standards and certification expertise | Demonstrated experience in the development, implementation, or assurance of sustainability standards, certification schemes, or comparable normative systems. | 20% |
2. Technical subject matter expertise | Depth in one or more areas within the scope of Rainforest Alliance standards: agronomy and farm management, human rights and due diligence, child labor and forced labor, forests and land use, climate and regenerative practices, traceability and data systems, assurance and auditing, or applicable regulation such as the EU Deforestation Regulation. | 20% |
3. Producer and field-level grounding | Direct, current knowledge of production realities, particularly those of smallholder producers, and the ability to assess whether a requirement can realistically be implemented at farm and group level. | 20% |
4. Implementation and auditability judgment | Ability to evaluate whether a proposed requirement can be consistently verified by auditors and what it would cost certificate holders to comply. | 15% |
5. Geographic and sectoral perspective | Grounding in one or more production regions or crops relevant to the Rainforest Alliance certification program, with priority given to representation gaps in the Committee as a whole. | 15% |
6. Constructive engagement across interests | Evidence of working effectively in multi-stakeholder settings, listening to competing views, and reasoning beyond a single organizational interest. | 10% |
Applicants are not expected to score highly on every criterion. The committee is designed so that different members bring different strengths and as a whole cover the full range.
3. How to apply
Applicants are required to do the following by August 25, 2026:
Complete the application form through the following link: Rainforest Alliance Standards Committee Application – Fill in form.
A curriculum vitae of no more than three pages
A statement of no more than 500 words setting out your relevant expertise, the perspective you would bring and your motivation for seeking to serve.
An initial declaration of any interest that could give rise to a conflict of interest.
3.1 Selection process and indicative timelines
Step | Indicative date |
Call opens | August 7, 2026 |
Call closes | August 25, 2026 |
Screening, scoring, and shortlisting | August 25 to September 4, 2026 |
Appointment decision | September 14, 2026 |
Members notified and onboarding begins | September 15, 2026 |
Conflict of Interest and Confidentiality signed | September 15 to September 21, 2026 |
Publication on website of new membership of Standards Committee | September 29, 2026 |
First meeting of the Committee | September 30, 2026 |
The Rainforest Alliance will publish the composition of the appointed Committee, including each member’s stakeholder category and country, together with a statement of how the composition meets the balance rules set out above. Applicants who are not appointed will be notified directly.
Questions about this call may be sent to safarm@ra.org.
Note: All applicants will be screened for eligibility and will be scored against the criteria. For some short-listed applicants, you may be contacted for a short conversation.