Roles and Responsibilities
1. Internal inspection
•
Perform internal inspections of farms, production units, and collection
centers in line with the ICS procedures and organic certification standards- USDA/NOP and EU 2018/848.
• Review and verify
farm compliance with EU organic regulations, including production
methods,field management, and harvesting practices.
• Carry out yield estimation and balance verification exercises, ensuring data accuracy.
•
Ensure that all documentation, including checklists and reports, is
accurately completed and submitted on time and submitted to the ICS data
clerk
• Ensure that all internal inspections are carried
out in accordance with the Kentaste Grower Group Quality Manual and the
annual work plan.
• Identify any non-compliance and provide guidance on corrective actions for all the farmers.
• Accompany field officers during field visits and assist with monitoring and evaluation of farm activities.
2. Farmer Support
• Work closely field officers with farmers to educate them on organic and Fair-Trade standards and practices.
• Support farmers in meeting the clients coconut quality requirements by ensuring traceability of coconuts at farm level
•
Provide on-site guidance to farmers on organic input requirements,
proper harvesting methods,and other farming activities to meet Organic
standards.
3. Training
• Train field officers, buying clerks, receiving clerks and other staff on the inspection process and compliance requirements.
• Participate in initial and ongoing training sessions on organic farming regulations and the ICS processes.
• Keep up-to-date with changes in EU and USDA/NOP organic regulations and ensure compliance during inspections.
4. Documentation and Reporting
•
Prepare detailed reports after each internal inspection, including
observations, compliance status, and any necessary follow-up actions for
assigned farmers.
• Ensure all inspection reports are submitted to the data clerk in a timely manner.
• Maintain accurate records of farmer compliance status and provide updates for the Approved Farmers List (AFL).
• Assist with compiling data and reports for external inspections and certification bodies.
5. Communication
• Communicate inspection findings and compliance requirements to farmers and field officers.
• Ensure that all updates and decisions from the ICS Approvals Committee are conveyed to farmers promptly.
•
Collaborate with the Sustainability and Compliance Manager (S&C
Manager to create and follow the annual internal inspection schedule.
• Attend regular meetings to update the S&C Manager on inspection outcomes and potential
issues within the group
6. Compliance Monitoring
•
Evaluate members' ongoing compliance with the ICS and EU regulations
throughout the year and report any non-compliance or violations
immediately to the S&C Manager and the Data Clerk.
• Provide recommendations for corrective actions and follow-up on their implementation.
• Monitor the implementation of corrective actions by farmers and follow up on areas identified for improvement.
•
Assist in managing compliance with organic and Fair Trade standards
during each stage of production and harvesting, collection, transportation and holding.
• Work closely with the Field officers, supervisors and S&C Manager to ensure continuous improvement in farmer practices and performance.
• Maintain impartiality during inspections and declare any potential conflicts of interest (e.g.,family relations with members, previous work relationships).
• Support the field officers in the recruitment and onboarding of new farmers.
• Collaborate with the Field Officers to ensure smooth communication and workflow between farmers and the ICS.
•
Ensure inspections align with ICS manuals and procedures, including
maintaining farm documentation (e.g., maps, input registers).
•
Be familiar with the group’s internal risk assessment and conduct
inspections based on risk categorization (low, medium, high).
• Participate in any additional duties as required by the S&C Manager.
•
Update the office on external partners’ activities and engagement at
the village level. When needed, attend events as advised by the office
and give feedback as required.
• Take part in data gathering exercises as required by the management
• Attend the monthly ICS reviews as planned by your supervisor:
o To discuss the work plan
o Previous month performance vs targets
o Current month targets (financial and non-financial), timelines and milestone objectives.
• Accurate and timely monthly reports as per approved templates and work plan
Key Skills
• A Diploma in Agriculture
• Two years of work experience
•
Excellent knowledge and understanding of farming practices including
Organic standards, Fair trade, Climate smart farming techniques.
• Computer proficiency: Moderate computer skills, particularly Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word,PowerPoint
• Ability to communicate effectively with people across all literacy levels.
• Ability to use smart gadgets in data collection and doing surveys
• Confident public speaker
• Willingness to spend long hours in the field riding and walking in the farms.
• Ability to speak fluently in English and Swahili
• Motorcycle riding experience with a valid license