ISO 34101-1:2019 Cocoa Sustainability Management Systems Internal Auditor Training and Certification Program

Programme Summary

Develop the skills to conduct focused internal audits of cocoa sustainability management against ISO 34101-1:2019. Participants practise planning, interviewing, sampling and reporting using a cocoa producer cooperative case. Exercises examine producer governance, cocoa traceability and sustainability improvement planning, test the strength of evidence and distinguish supported findings from assumptions. The course supports effective corrective action and clearer assurance about system performance.

Training Objectives

1 Build disciplined cocoa sustainability management audit practice; 2 Prioritise audit scope using operational risks; 3 Strengthen interviewing and evidence evaluation; 4 Develop substantiated findings and concise reports; 5 Evaluate corrective action effectiveness.

Learning Outcomes

1 Plan a cocoa sustainability management audit; 2 Sample producer and farm records; 3 Conduct a focused evidence gathering interview; 4 Write findings linked to specified criteria; 5 Evaluate action on untraceable cocoa movements.

Target Audience

Internal Auditors; Cocoa Cooperative Managers; Cocoa Sustainability Managers; Agricultural Extension Managers; Management System Coordinators.

Target Industries

Cocoa Farming; Cocoa Producer Cooperatives; Cocoa Post Harvest Processing; Cocoa Collection Operations; Cocoa Sustainability Programmes.

Course Contents

• Module 1 Internal Audit Purpose and Conduct: Audit objectives criteria and independence; Integrity confidentiality and evidence based decisions; Audit guidance and organisational responsibilities.
• Module 2 Defining the Internal Audit Scope: System boundaries and process interactions; Applicable requirements and previous audit results; Operational risks and sampling limitations.
• Module 3 Planning the Audit Assignment: Audit programme priorities and resources; Assignment schedule and interview responsibilities; Risk based sampling and evidence requests.
• Module 4 Preparing Relevant Audit Evidence: Producer and farm records; Cocoa movement and traceability records; Producer development and monitoring records.
• Module 5 Auditing Cocoa Production Scope and Standard Interfaces: Producer organisation and post harvest boundaries; Management performance and traceability standard interfaces; Sustainability claims and supporting requirement sets.
• Module 6 Auditing Producer Governance and Accountable Leadership: Sustainability policy and organisational responsibilities; Producer participation and communication arrangements; Resources competence and documented information.
• Module 7 Auditing Cocoa Sustainability Planning: Producer development priorities and realistic objectives; Action plans resources and measurable progress; Interfaces with applicable performance requirements.
• Module 8 Auditing Cocoa Traceability and Claim Controls: Bean identification and movement records; Internal traceability and reconciliation checks; Claim limitations and downstream traceability interfaces.
• Module 9 Interviewing Observation and Evidence Evaluation: Open questions and focused follow up; Corroborating records interviews and observations; Conflicting evidence and additional sampling decisions.
• Module 10 Findings Reporting and Closing Discussions: Requirement evidence and nonconformity statements; Clear conclusions and balanced reporting; Communicating findings without prescribing consultancy solutions.
• Module 11 Corrective Action and Audit Follow Up: Correction root cause and corrective action; Evidence of implementation and effectiveness; Closure decisions and recurring weakness escalation.
• Module 12 Internal Audit Simulation: Plan and conduct an individual interview; Evaluate records and defend two findings; Review corrective action and present conclusions.

Assessment

• 60 single best answer questions, including applied scenarios; one mark per question.
• 90 minute invigilated digital examination with identity verification. Approved accessibility adjustments preserve the assessed competence.
• Clean standard text and supplied case documents permitted; internet, messaging and external AI tools prohibited.
• Individual applied assessment (90 minutes): Conduct an individual simulated cocoa sustainability management audit: prepare a sampling plan, interview a role player, evaluate supplied records, report two supported findings and review one proposed corrective action.
• Assessment criteria: Risk relevant sampling of producer and farm records; Interview and findings supported by traceable requirements and evidence; Sound corrective action judgement on untraceable cocoa movements.
• Pass each component separately: 45/60 written marks (75%) and at least 70% on the applied task.
• All mandatory criteria must pass: Do not fabricate evidence or knowingly present unsupported conformity conclusions.
• Individual results and feedback are provided. One reassessment may follow coaching under the published enrolment terms.

Certification

• Successful learners receive a TQCSI Arabia digital Certificate of Successful Completion.
• The certificate records the learner name, exact programme title, teaching hours, completion date and unique verification reference.
• Verified identity, full attendance and separate written and applied passes are required; all mandatory critical criteria must be met.
• Proposed issue target: within 30 calendar days of approved results and settlement of applicable fees.
• Records successful internal auditor course completion in cocoa sustainability management; workplace auditor appointment still depends on demonstrated competence and organisational authorisation.
• Attendance confirmation may record completed hours for unsuccessful learners; it does not certify successful completion.

Programme Profile

Number of daysNumber of daysNumber of days

333

Total teaching hoursTotal teaching hoursTotal teaching hours

18 hours; breaks, pre course work and formal final assessments excluded.18 hours; breaks, pre course work and formal final assessments excluded.18 hours; breaks, pre course work and formal final assessments excluded.

Delegates allowedDelegates allowedDelegates allowed

Maximum 20 delegates.Maximum 20 delegates.Maximum 20 delegates.

Training prerequisitesTraining prerequisitesTraining prerequisites

Working knowledge of ISO 34101-1:2019 and relevant cocoa sustainability management processes is required. Prior audit experience is helpful; requirements training should precede this course.Working knowledge of ISO 34101-1:2019 and relevant cocoa sustainability management processes is required. Prior audit experience is helpful; requirements training should precede this course.Working knowledge of ISO 34101-1:2019 and relevant cocoa sustainability management processes is required. Prior audit experience is helpful; requirements training should precede this course.

Pre course assignment and assessmentPre course assignment and assessmentPre course assignment and assessment

Complete a 30-minute requirements diagnostic; review supplied producer and farm records and prepare three evidence seeking audit questions.Complete a 30-minute requirements diagnostic; review supplied producer and farm records and prepare three evidence seeking audit questions.Complete a 30-minute requirements diagnostic; review supplied producer and farm records and prepare three evidence seeking audit questions.

End of course assessmentEnd of course assessmentEnd of course assessment

60 question written exam (90 minutes) and individual applied task (90 minutes).60 question written exam (90 minutes) and individual applied task (90 minutes).60 question written exam (90 minutes) and individual applied task (90 minutes).

Passing criteriaPassing criteriaPassing criteria

75% written and 70% applied, passed separately; full attendance. All mandatory criteria must pass.75% written and 70% applied, passed separately; full attendance. All mandatory criteria must pass.75% written and 70% applied, passed separately; full attendance. All mandatory criteria must pass.