Director, International Relations

Company Description

The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) is the largest global organization serving the fresh produce and floral supply chain. With a mission to unite the industry, IFPA drives innovation and collaboration to create a vibrant future for all its members. The association provides value through advocacy, connecting members, and offering actionable guidance to support industry prosperity. IFPA is dedicated to empowering businesses and professionals across the supply chain to succeed with confidence and purpose.

Position Summary

The Director of International Relations is instrumental in executing IFPA’s Global Advocacy and Policy Strategy (GAPS), as well as advancing IFPA’s global presence and influence by building strategic relationships with international and regional standard-setting bodies, key associations, and IFPA’s Global Councils (IFPA’s volunteer leadership groups that provide strategic leadership in IFPA’s key member markets).  This role includes a strong focus on advancing IFPA’s priorities across its three key regions—Asia, North America, and Europe—ensuring coordinated engagement and regionally relevant advocacy strategies.

This role is responsible for tracking and coordinating IFPA’s engagement in global and regional forums, ensuring that policy topics are relevant to IFPA members and fully aligned with GAPS. The Director serves as the main point of contact for identified international bodies, manages relationships with peer associations, and ensures the integration of global member perspectives into IFPA’s advocacy strategy. The Director works closely with IFPA leadership, internal subject matter experts —including health and nutrition, sustainability, trade, food safety and supply chain—and the IFPA membership team to ensure consistency, relevance, and strong member engagement across global initiatives. Additionally, the Director supports the development and delivery of annual Global Council advocacy updates and facilitates structured engagement with IFPA staff, Global Council members, volunteer leaders and IFPA members.

Position Responsibilities

Global Council Engagement & Internal Coordination 

• Facilitate regular engagement to gather feedback on policy priorities and GAPS with Global Councils and other volunteer committees and councils, as appropriate, with particular attention to region-specific priorities across Asia, North America, and Europe. 
• Facilitate the involvement of volunteer leaders and Global Council members in advocacy efforts, including calls to action, engagement with policymakers, and participation in relevant events. 
• Ensure Global Council and other volunteer leader committees and councils input informs global advocacy strategy and execution. 
• Coordinate with IFPA’s internal subject matter experts in health and nutrition, sustainability, and supply chain to ensure policy positions are informed and aligned with global policy goals and member needs. 
• Coordinate with the IFPA membership and global operations teams to ensure international policy and advocacy initiatives align with member needs and to support member engagement in global activities. 
• Support cross-functional collaboration to integrate global perspectives into IFPA’s broader policy work. 
• Support the development and delivery of the annual update on Global Council advocacy activities. 
• Assist IFPA communications and marketing teams in developing and coordinating international and regional content to support advocacy and policy initiatives. 

International Policy & Standards Tracking  

• Track IFPA’s engagement in key global and regional standard-setting bodies (e.g., Codex Alimentarius, APEC, EU) with targeted monitoring of developments impacting Asia, North America, and Europe. 
• Monitor emerging policy topics and assess their relevance to IFPA members. 
• Maintain a centralized record of IFPA’s participation and influence in international forums. 
• Draft and coordinate comments on proposed standards and regulatory frameworks issued prioritized global and regional bodies or key focus regions on topics such as food safety, market access, etc. 
• Coordinate with IFPA internal subject matter experts to identify relevant committees, work streams, and initiatives within international standard‑setting bodies where IFPA will engage, ensuring that designated subject matter experts lead the technical work and representation and serving as the technical lead and representative when appropriate or required.

Representation & Strategic Partnerships  

• Act as IFPA’s main point of contact for identified global and regional bodies and partner organizations to those bodies. 
• Build IFPA’s visibility and credibility in international policy and regulatory spaces. 
• Coordinate and lead, as necessary, IFPA participation in meetings, consultations, and working groups particularly within IFPA’s priority regions of Asia, North America, and Europe. 
• Manage relationships with key international associations and coalitions. 
• Identify and pursue opportunities to expand IFPA’s global footprint through collaboration including strengthening IFPA’s visibility and partnerships across its three focus regions. 
• Support alignment of global advocacy efforts with IFPA’s mission, purpose, and member priorities. 

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Bachelor’s degree in international relations, public policy, agriculture, food systems, or a related field required. 

• Minimum 5 years of experience in international policy, advocacy, or stakeholder engagement. 

• Passion for advancing global consumption of fresh produce and floral products, with a clear understanding of their role in public health, sustainability, and economic development.  

• Strong understanding of global food systems, regulatory frameworks, and international institutions. 

• Proven ability to build and manage strategic relationships across cultures and sectors. 

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a cross-cultural, international environment.

• Excellent communication, diplomacy, and project management skills. 

• Experience working with or within international standard-setting bodies is a plus. 

Measures for Success

• Increased visibility and recognition of IFPA in global and regional policy forums. 

• Strong, sustained engagement with Global Councils and international partners. 

• Timely and relevant tracking of international policy developments. 

• Effective coordination with internal teams to support cross-cutting advocacy goals. 

• Timely delivery of annual Global Council advocacy updates to the IFPA Board. 

• Effective facilitation of Global Council members and other volunteer leaders’ participation in advocacy efforts and events. 

• Successful coordination of international and local content for advocacy and communications. 

Travel

Business-related travel, including international travel, required on average 8 times per year. 

Location

This is a remote position based in the United States. 

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