Tupande Biochar Compliance Specialist (Fixed-Term) at One Acre Fund in Nairobi, Kenya

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    Tupande Biochar Compliance Specialist (Fixed-Term)

    One Acre FundNairobi, Kenya

    Posted

    4 days ago

    Apply by

    17 Nov

    Contractor
    On Site
    Mid
    Agriculture & Agribusiness
    Health & Safety

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    Job Description

    Owns the facility's Compliance function, combining leadership of the Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) programme with responsibility for facility Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) programme design and oversight. Designs and runs the data system that captures feedstock, production, quality, and end-use data to the standard required by the external verifier. Serves as the primary interface with external verifiers, auditors, and regulators (NEMA, DOSH, third-party carbon verifiers). Reports to the Biochar Lead.

    Key Responsibilities

    • Design and maintain the facility's HSE programme, including risk registers, emergency response plans, and safety-critical procedures.
    • Design and deliver HSE training for all facility staff, including inductions, toolbox talks, and emergency drills.
    • Ensure PPE distribution, safety signage, and site safety infrastructure are in place and maintained.
    • Support the Production Shift Supervisors, who carry shift-level safety accountability, with the programme, tools, and training they need to enforce safety on shift.
    • Coordinate scheduled third-party HSE testing and audits (fire safety, emissions, occupational health).
    • Design, implement, and manage the facility's MRV system covering feedstock inputs, production outputs, quality measurements, and carbon removal calculations.
    • Ensure data collection processes across all shifts are accurate, consistent, and traceable to the carbon standards the facility reports against.
    • Oversee and support the Lab and Quality Technicians in their data recording responsibilities to ensure the standard required for verification.
    • Develop and maintain data management systems, dashboards, and reporting templates for MRV purposes.
    • Stay current on evolving carbon standards, methodology requirements, and MRV best practices in the biochar sector.
    • Serve as the primary point of contact with external verifiers, auditors, and certification bodies during verification and audit cycles (carbon, HSE, environmental).
    • Prepare and submit monthly and quarterly reports required for carbon credit verification.
    • Prepare the facility for audits, including documents, site walkthroughs, and evidence for the verifier.
    • When auditors flag issues, own the corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs) through to closure.
    • Maintain audit-ready documentation across MRV, HSE, and environmental compliance streams at all times.
    • Train all relevant staff at the facility on MRV data recording requirements, HSE procedures, and the importance of data and safety discipline.
    • Coordinate cross-functionally with Production, Quality, and Administration on the completeness and accuracy of the data they record for MRV and safety reporting.
    • Develop and maintain training materials for field staff on correct biochar application methods and how to collect data at the point of delivery.
    • Deliver refresher training to field teams before the start of each season.

    Required Qualifications

    • Degree in Health and Safety, Environmental Science, Engineering, Data Science, Agronomy, or a related field.
    • Minimum 3 years of experience in HSE, compliance, audit, or environmental data management roles.
    • Strong background in HSE, OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Act, Kenya, 2007), ISO (International Organization for Standardization), or comparable regulatory environments is a strong advantage.
    • Comfort engaging with third-party auditors and external verifiers, and comfort designing and running audit-facing programmes.
    • Familiarity with carbon standards (e.g., Isometric, Puro.earth, EBC, IBI) or carbon credit methodologies is a plus but not required. Successful candidates will build this expertise on the job, supported by Tupande's carbon partners.
    • Strong data management, reporting, and analytical skills.
    • Experience with data management platforms, spreadsheets, or environmental monitoring software.
    • High attention to detail and a strong commitment to data integrity, traceability, and safety discipline.
    • Willingness to learn on the job across both MRV and HSE domains; the role's success depends on translating a strong compliance foundation across both areas.
    • Fluent in English; experience working in an East African context is an advantage.

    Job Details

    Job Function

    Health & Safety

    Minimum Experience

    3 years

    Education Level

    Bachelor’s Degree

    Area of Study

    Science

    Field of Study

    Environmental Science

    Languages

    English

    Additional Information

    How to Apply: Interested and qualified? Go to One Acre Fund on oneacrefund.org to apply.

    Master the Audit Trail: From Data Integrity to HSE Discipline

    This role sits at the intersection of carbon verification and workplace safety. Hiring managers will probe how you design systems that survive external scrutiny and how you train others to follow them under pressure.

    1. Prove your data integrity chops: Be ready to walk through a past project where you built or improved a data tracking system. Show how you ensured accuracy, consistency, and traceability—mention specific tools like Excel, SQL, or environmental monitoring software you've used.

    2. Show HSE programme experience: Highlight any risk assessments, emergency response plans, or safety training you've delivered. If you've worked with OSHA or ISO standards, detail how you applied them in practice.

    3. Prepare for auditor-facing questions: Expect scenarios where you must explain how you'd handle a non-conformity or a CAPA. Practice articulating your process for root cause analysis and corrective action.

    4. Learn the carbon standards basics: Even if not required, familiarize yourself with Isometric, Puro.earth, EBC, or IBI. Showing you've done homework on these standards signals genuine interest.

    5. Emphasize training and communication: This role involves training staff across shifts and field teams. Share examples of how you've simplified complex procedures for diverse audiences.

    6. Highlight cross-functional coordination: You'll work with Production, Quality, and Administration. Demonstrate your ability to influence without authority and ensure data completeness from others.

    7. Show commitment to continuous learning: The posting stresses willingness to learn on the job. Talk about how you've quickly picked up new regulations or technologies in previous roles.

    8. Prepare for situational questions on safety culture: Be ready to discuss how you'd handle a safety violation or encourage reporting. Emphasize your belief in proactive safety over reactive measures.

    CareerSasa Safety Alert: Never pay employers or agencies for interviews, training, or job placement. Does a job request payment? Report it immediately using the "Flag" button. While CareerSasa vets job postings thoroughly, always verify opportunities independently.
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    Tags

    HSE
    MRV
    compliance
    carbon standards
    data management