Fairtrade & Farmer Development Manager

About Mavuno Organics

Mavuno Organics Kenya Limited is a Kenyan company specializing in the cultivation, collection, and export of fresh avocados and other horticultural produce to international markets. They collaborate with farmers and producer organizations nationwide to create sustainable and commercially viable supply chains founded on responsible farming, traceability, certification, and long-lasting market partnerships. As the Fairtrade avocado program expands, they seek a motivated and experienced Fairtrade & Farmer Development Manager to lead the growth and supervision of their Fairtrade-certified farmer network.

Role Summary

The Fairtrade & Farmer Development Manager will focus on building, improving, and scaling Fairtrade-certified avocado producer organizations, establishing a dependable supply chain to support Mavuno’s growing Fairtrade and organic export operations. This role involves both direct farmer engagement and supply increase activities, working with cooperatives, community groups, individual growers, and other stakeholders to enhance production, ensure certification compliance, and increase volumes of export-ready Fairtrade avocados. Proactively expanding sources of certified supply beyond current farmer groups is essential.

Key Responsibilities

• Recruit avocado farmers for Mavuno's Fairtrade supply scheme.
• Identify and partner with existing cooperatives, CBOs, and self-help groups.
• Assist in establishing new legally recognized farmer organizations as needed.
• Create and implement yearly plans for farmer recruitment and Fairtrade supply growth.
• Engage large-scale commercial avocado growers capable of servicing Fairtrade and organic programs.
• Enhance governance and institutional capacity of participating farmer organizations.
• Support management development and record-keeping systems within producer organizations.
• Train elected leaders on governance, accountability, and Fairtrade standards.
• Aid in Fairtrade development plans and Premium management system application.
• Coordinate compliance with Fairtrade requirements and certification audits.
• Collaborate with internal teams to uphold organic and other certification standards.
• Maintain accurate farmer databases, records, and traceability documentation.
• Identify and address certification compliance gaps promptly.
• Develop production and supply forecasts with farmer groups.
• Work closely with field teams to improve orchard management, productivity, fruit quality, and export readiness.
• Monitor crop development phases and harvesting timelines.
• Strategize to annually increase certified Fairtrade avocado volumes.
• Coordinate supply planning with commercial, procurement, technical, and packaging departments.
• Design and implement farmer training covering good agricultural practices, organic farming, Fairtrade compliance, quality control, and traceability.
• Elevate farmers' knowledge of international market expectations.
• Promote sustainable and professional farmer organizations fostering strong market linkages.
• Maintain relationships with producer bodies, certification agencies, government entities, and development partners.
• Manage Fairtrade-related communication and documentation between Mavuno and farmer organizations.
• Represent Mavuno in forums related to farmer development, certification, and Fairtrade.
• Maintain accurate reports on farmer numbers, acreage, certification status, production projections, and supply volumes.
• Generate monthly updates on recruitment, certification, production, compliance, and supply results.
• Set measurable annual targets for expanding the Fairtrade supply base and monitor KPI performance, recommending corrections where needed.

Candidate Profile

• Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Agribusiness, Horticulture, Agricultural Economics, Rural Development, or similar.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in farmer development, horticultural supply chains, certification, contract farming, cooperatives, or agri-supply management.
• Proven experience working directly with smallholder farmers and farmer groups.
• Familiarity with Fairtrade certification and standards is strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of organic certification, GlobalG.A.P., or similar agricultural certifications is an advantage.
• Experience in avocado or export horticulture sectors is highly desirable.
• Strong skills in farmer mobilization, training, production planning, and supply development.
• Capability to interpret standards and implement compliance at field level.
• Excellent reporting, data management, and stakeholder communication abilities.
• Willingness to travel extensively in avocado-producing regions.

Personal Attributes

• Goal-oriented with a focus on converting plans into measurable farmer recruitment, acreage, and volume achievements.
• Comfortable working regularly in the field with farmers and organizations.
• Innovative and entrepreneurial, seeking to grow farmer networks proactively.
• Highly organized in managing certification records, data, and multiple producer bodies.
• Commercially savvy with awareness that farmer development must result in sustainable supply and market access.
• Strong communication skills to liaise effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Committed to transparency, responsible sourcing, and Fairtrade principles with high integrity.

Success Metrics

• Growth in Fairtrade-certified farmer organizations.
• Increase in registered avocado farmers and certified farmland.
• Expansion in forecasted and actual export volumes of Fairtrade avocados.
• Enhanced farmer productivity and fruit quality.
• Improved compliance with certification requirements.
• Strengthened institutional durability of producer organizations.

Application Process

Applicants should forward their CV and cover letter highlighting experience relevant to farmer development, certification, producer organizations, and export horticulture. Include the job title “Fairtrade & Farmer Development Manager” in the communication. Applications will be accepted until August 28, 2026. Only candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted.