Certification Manager

Job Details

The Certification Manager will lead the development, implementation and maintenance of all sustainable agriculture and ethical sourcing standards for a cocoa and vanilla operation. The role is full-time and requires willingness to live in Bundibugyo and travel frequently to other cocoa producing regions within Uganda, with duty station listed as Bundibugyo | Kampala. The successful candidate will spearhead Fairtrade and UTZ certification schemes, ensuring strict traceability, ethical labour compliance and sustainable agricultural practices. Salary is not disclosed.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage field staff (coordinators and officers) and supervise the ICT function to ensure timely inspections, accurate data collection and reliable certification and EUDR records
• Maintain and expand sustainability certifications (EU & NOP organic, Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance)
• Develop and deliver training programs for farmers (good agricultural practices, certification compliance) and staff (quality systems, documentation, audits)
• Ensure cocoa and vanilla farmers clearly understand and consistently comply with certification standards
• Oversee the Internal Control System (ICS) and GMR ensuring farmer registration, records and farm mapping are accurate and up to date
• Conduct internal audits and host external certification audits
• Maintain continuous audit readiness through proper documentation, robust traceability systems, non-compliance risk assessments and prompt implementation of corrective actions
• Supervise systems ensuring compliance with deforestation and EUDR requirements, including farmer identification, polygon mapping and accurate volume tracking and verification
• Monitor sourcing and purchasing activities to ensure full adherence to certification requirements
• Support in-house compliance with other certification requirements such as the good functioning of grievance mechanism
• Ensure compliance with customer-specific codes and requirements
• Maintain strong relationships with farmer associations and cooperatives
• Support and guide farmer cooperatives to meet Fairtrade compliance requirements and advise cooperatives on selection and implementation of Fairtrade Premium projects
• Narrative and financial management and reporting of small and medium sized donor projects
• Ensure transparency and accountability across all certification and sourcing activities and continuously improve systems and processes related to certification
• Perform other tasks as needed

Qualifications, Skills and Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Environmental Science, Agribusiness, or related field
• Minimum 5 years' experience in certification systems (Organic, Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance, etc.) and managing field teams and farmer-based programs
• Experience in cocoa/vanilla value chains and cooperatives preferred
• Fluency in English (written and oral) and fluent in at least one of Rutooro, Lubwisi, Lukonzo, Kwamba; working proficiency in French and/or Swahili desired
• High attention to detail, organisational and planning skills
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills from field to boardroom
• Passion for sustainability and regenerative agriculture
• Ethical leader with strong integrity
• Willingness to live in Bundibugyo and travel frequently