Fairtrade & Farmer Development Manager

The Fairtrade & Farmer Development Manager will be responsible for establishing, strengthening and scaling Fairtrade-certified avocado producer organisations and developing a reliable supply base capable of supporting Mavuno's growing Fairtrade and organic export programmes. This is both a farmer development and supply-growth role. The successful candidate will work directly with cooperatives, CBOs, self-help groups, individual growers and other stakeholders to strengthen producer organisations, recruit new farmers, improve avocado production and productivity, maintain certification compliance and secure increasing volumes of export-quality Fairtrade avocados.

• Identify and recruit avocado farmers into Mavuno's Fairtrade supply programme.
• Identify suitable existing cooperatives, CBOs and self-help groups for partnership and development.
• Support the establishment and development of new legally recognized farmer organisations where required.
• Develop and execute annual farmer recruitment and Fairtrade supply-expansion plans.
• Build relationships with large-scale and commercial avocado growers capable of supplying Fairtrade and organic programmes.
• Strengthen the governance and institutional capacity of participating farmer organisations.
• Support producer organisations in developing appropriate management, administration and record-keeping systems.
• Build the capacity of elected leaders and management committees in governance, accountability and Fairtrade requirements.
• Support organisations in developing and implementing Fairtrade development plans and appropriate Premium management systems.
• Coordinate implementation and maintenance of applicable Fairtrade requirements across participating producer organisations.
• Support farmer groups in preparing for Fairtrade certification and surveillance audits.
• Work closely with internal technical teams to maintain organic and other applicable certification requirements.
• Ensure accurate farmer registers, farm records, traceability documentation and certification records.
• Identify compliance gaps and coordinate timely corrective actions.
• Develop annual production and supply forecasts for participating farmer groups.
• Work with field teams and farmers to improve avocado orchard management, productivity, fruit quality and export pack-out.
• Monitor flowering, fruit development, crop estimates and harvesting readiness.
• Develop strategies to increase certified Fairtrade avocado volumes year on year.
• Coordinate supply planning with Mavuno's commercial, procurement, technical and packhouse teams.
• Develop and coordinate farmer training programmes covering good agricultural practices, organic production, Fairtrade requirements, quality, traceability and responsible farming.
• Strengthen farmers' understanding of international market requirements.
• Promote professional and commercially sustainable farmer organisations capable of building long-term relationships with international markets.
• Maintain effective relationships with producer organisations, certification bodies, government agencies, development partners and other stakeholders.
• Coordinate Fairtrade-related communication and documentation between Mavuno and participating producer organisations.
• Represent Mavuno in relevant farmer development, certification and Fairtrade engagements.
• Maintain accurate data on farmer numbers, acreage, certification status, production forecasts and supplied volumes.
• Prepare monthly reports on farmer recruitment, certification progress, production, compliance and supply performance.
• Establish measurable annual targets for expansion of Mavuno's Fairtrade supply base.
• Track performance against agreed KPIs.

• A Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Agribusiness, Horticulture, Agricultural Economics, Rural Development or a related field.
• At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in farmer development, horticultural value chains, certification, contract farming, cooperatives or agricultural supply-chain management.
• Demonstrable experience working directly with smallholder farmers and farmer organisations.
• Experience with Fairtrade certification and standards will be a strong advantage.
• Knowledge of organic certification, GlobalG.A.P. or similar agricultural certification systems will be advantageous.
• Experience in avocado or export horticulture will be highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of farmer mobilisation, training, production planning and agricultural supply development.
• Ability to interpret standards and translate compliance requirements into practical field-level systems.
• Strong reporting, data-management and stakeholder-management capabilities.
• Willingness and ability to travel extensively to avocado-producing regions.