The Country Sustainability Manager will lead the development and implementation of sustainability initiatives across LDC operations in Kenya. Whilst initially the focus of this role is on the sustainability initiatives within the Coffee operations, the scope of the role will gradually expand to include carbon offsetting activities as well as sustainability pilot initiatives in other crops (e.g. maize and pulses).

This role involves strategic oversight of Kenya sustainability initiatives in alignment with LDC´s global sustainability strategy. In this position, the incumbent is responsible for leading the team, managing budgets, and engaging with donors and clients, as well as overseeing and project management of implementing partners in the country.

Coffee – Responsible Sourcing:

• Define the Responsible Sourcing Strategy for the country based on LDC’s Coffee Responsible Sourcing approach, the business strategy, and the local context. Lead the delivery (targets, budgets, workplans) of LDC’s Responsible Sourcing Program. The Responsible Sourcing Program includes the development of certified and/or verified supply chains under third-party programs (Rainforest Alliance, 4C, Fairtrade, Organic) and/or LDC RSP (RSP advanced) and supply chains free of deforestation (compliant with EU regulation/ LDC’s group commitment) and compliant to human rights due diligence regulations (LDC RSP Core/Core +).
• Manage the implementation and track progress of LDC’s Responsible Sourcing Program in coordination with the local suppliers, their field teams and/or external implementing partners, as well as LDC commercial team. Proactively analyze, identify, and ensure appropriate follow-up actions on compliance issues.
• Monitor the roll-out of the LDC Suppliers Code of Conduct, providing adequate support to the procurement team to promote it with LDC’s suppliers
• Supervise yearly the implementation of the Supplier Mapping by the procurement team to identify LDC’s main sourcing risks related to Deforestation and Human Rights as per the guidelines defined under LDC RSP Core
• Facilitate the development of a supplier engagement program by organizing training to suppliers related to LDC’s suppliers CoC
• Report regularly to the Regional Sustainability Manager and Country Head about the strategy’s implementation: coffee volumes produced and purchased under LDC’s RSP as well as costs related to LDC’s RS supply chains’ development versus the targets and budgets established per year
• Coordinate plans and activities with other key departments, especially with procurement, quality, execution, SHE and industry teams to ensure LDC’s Coffee Responsible Sourcing Strategy is well-known, understood and implemented at each level of LDC’s operations. Build the capacity of LDC Coffee employees on LDC’s Responsible Sourcing Program, especially on LDC RSP and third-party standards’ rules (RA, 4C, Fairtrade, Organic) in order to ensure compliance of LDC’s operations and to guarantee to pass successfully the audits

Qualifications

Essential:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in a field such as Agronomy, Economics, International Development, Environmental Science
• 5-8 years’ experience related to country and community level programs with a focus on sustainability and liaising with customers on budgets and proposals
• Proven leadership in managing country-level operations and donor relations.
• Strong understanding of smallholder agriculture, responsible sourcing, certification schemes, and MRV (carbon)
• Excellent communication skills in English, Kiswahili (any other local languages is a plus)
• Strategic thinker and systems-oriented leader.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to navigate multicultural environments and build inclusive teams.
• Passion for sustainable agriculture and rural transformation.
• Ability to deliver results in a clear, organized and methodical manner
• Attentive to cultural diversity and good rural community living knowledge
• Ability to work independently and proactively
• Enjoy spending time in the field with farmers