Role Overview       

We have an exciting opportunity for someone to join us as a Sustainability Manager in Kenya to work in a truly global environment to take ownership in leading and executing Volcafe sustainability activities in Kenya to achieve Volcafe vision for a thriving, sustainable coffee business for all. The role, reporting to Country General Manager, provides long term development potential for someone eager to demonstrate their skills and experience in the fast-paced soft commodities environment.

Volcafe Ltd is one of the world’s leading international green coffee trading companies, operating in over 20 countries globally. Our expertise spans green coffee procurement and preparation, sustainability, blending, quality control, risk management and export as well as importing and distribution. We supply the world’s major coffee roasters and retail distributors with their green coffee requirements, with significant strategic growth ambitions for the future. We are part of ED&F Man Commodities, a world leading trader of agricultural products including coffee, sugar, molasses and animal feed.

Volcafe works across the whole green coffee supply chain to make coffee business better, together with our partners and employees. We have built and operate sustainable coffee supply chains across all our origins, addressing key economic, social and environmental issues in coffee farming communities. Our Volcafe Way farmer support programme engages with thousands of coffee farmers and provides a holistic response to the challenges they face.

This role will be working for Taylor Winch Coffee Ltd, Kenya (TWK) and based in our office in Nairobi with frequent travels to upcountry locations in Kenya. You will be travelling up to 40% of your time.

Key Accountabilities

You will be working in close collaboration with the Regional Sustainability Manager to re-develop the sustainability programme of Taylor Winch Kenya, in line with Volcafe’s sustainability strategy.

Management and partnerships

• Recruit and manage a team of sustainability experts, including capacity building, work planning and performance tracking.
• Provide strategic direction to the sustainability team.
• Manage our AAA supply chain for Nespresso, in partnership with selected Cooperatives and Estates, and aligned to commercial needs and Nespresso requirements.
• Drive the development of additional responsibly sourcing value chains in line with commercial needs.
• Cultivate existing partnerships and build new relations with relevant stakeholders to strengthen our work from social, environmental, agronomy and governance perspectives.
• Attract funding for innovative projects in line with commercial needs and partner interests and successfully deliver these from initial concept to project sign-off.
• Be accountable for all sustainability budgets and ensure all targets are met.

Compliance:

• Maintain compliance with all certification standards in TWK’s certified value chains.
• Support TWK’s compliance with environmental regulations and standards, including the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and the expected Corporate Social Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD).
• Support Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting.

Data and Monitoring Evaluation and Learning (MEL):

• Be accountable for all TWK’s sustainability data and their quality, including EUDR field data and traceability.
• Collaborate with Volcafe colleagues to build a database for TWK’s sustainability work
• Use available data to support decision making regarding activity prioritisation and to drive efficiencies.

Skills and Experience

• Passion for sustainable coffee production, combined with 5+ years’ experience at a mid – senior level, in the sustainability team of a commodity trading business, preferably coffee.
• Experience working in East Africa and strong relationships with International Funders and Development Partners and Coffee Roasters.
• Proven experience with team management.
• Proven experience with certification, including AAA, CP or RFA and understanding of the certifications which applied for the coffee industry.
• Proven experience with project management and fund acquisition.
• Strong analytical skills and proven ability to use large data to drive decision making.
• Experience and good understanding of the Rain Forest Alliance (RFA), and others applied for the certificated coffee producing group.
• Experience reporting on ESG issues.
• Ability to set up, train and maintain sustainable coffee projects.
• Experience of traceability in supply chains.
• Understanding of good agricultural practices for sustainable coffee production.
• Understanding of planting technology, cultivating, harvesting, processing, and storing coffee.
• Ability to work independently and under high pressure.
• Ability to build and maintain good working relationships with a variety of stakeholders, from farmers to clients.
• Graduate degree in any relevant field, Master’s degree preferable.
• Certification in project management is desirable.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and Swahili.
• Good computer skills (MS Office Word, Excel, Power Point).
• Valid Driving License.

We recognise that talent comes in many forms, and we value potential just as much as experience. If this role excites you but you don’t meet every requirement, we still encourage you to apply.

Our Offer

We provide a fast-paced, stimulating and truly global environment, which will stretch your abilities and channel your talents. We also offer competitive salary and benefits combined with outstanding career development opportunities in one of the global leaders in soft commodity trading.

Our Values

Respect, Integrity, Meritocracy, Client Focus, Entrepreneurship

Volcafe shares the values of our parent company, ED&F Man Commodities. Our values define who we are. They are the fundamental beliefs that determine our actions and guide our behaviour. They influence the way we communicate and collaborate, and define the way we engage with our clients, partners, and communities.

Our Commitment

Volcafe shares the commitment of our parent company, ED&F Man Commodities. We are committed to creating and sustaining an inclusive and diverse work environment where all employees are treated with dignity and respect. We are committed to promoting equal opportunities in employment and are focussed on actively building and developing diverse teams. All qualified applicants will receive equal treatment without regard to race, colour, sex, gender, age, religion or belief, ethnic or national origin, marital or civil partner status, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender reassignment (identity, gender expression), genetic information or any characteristic protected by local law.

We are willing to make any reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process.