Sustainability Country Manager – Kenya
Nairobi, Kenya
Job Reference JR0091335
Professional Areas Sustainability
Function Operations, Engineering and Maintenance
Contract Type Permanent
Years of Work Experience 12 – 15
Start date 2025-12-01
Job Details
Company Description
Louis Dreyfus Company is a leading merchant and processor of agricultural goods. Our activities span the entire value chain from farm to fork, across a broad range of business lines, we leverage our global reach and extensive asset network to serve our customers and consumers around the world. Structured as a matrix organization of six geographical regions and ten platforms, Louis Dreyfus Company is active in over 100 countries and employs approximately 18,000 people globally.
Job Description
Overall Purpose:
The Country Sustainability Manager will lead the development and implementation of sustainability initiatives across LDC operations in Kenya. Whilst initially the focus of this role is on the sustainability initiatives within the Coffee operations, the scope of the role will gradually expand to include carbon offsetting activities as well as sustainability pilot initiatives in other crops (e.g. maize and pulses).
This role involves strategic oversight of Kenya sustainability initiatives in alignment with LDC´s global sustainability strategy. In this position, the incumbent is responsible for leading the team, managing budgets, and engaging with donors and clients, as well as overseeing and project management of implementing partners in the country.
Main accountabilities (Main Responsibilities):
Coffee – Responsible Sourcing:
Define the Responsible Sourcing Strategy for the country based on LDC’s Coffee Responsible Sourcing approach, the business strategy, and the local context. Lead the delivery (targets, budgets, workplans) of LDC’s Responsible Sourcing Program. The Responsible Sourcing Program includes the development of certified and/or verified supply chains under third-party programs (Rainforest Alliance, 4C, Fairtrade, Organic) and/or LDC RSP (RSP advanced) and supply chains free of deforestation (compliant with EU regulation/ LDC’s group commitment) and compliant to human rights due diligence regulations (LDC RSP Core/Core +).
Manage the implementation and track progress of LDC’s Responsible Sourcing Program in coordination with the local suppliers, their field teams and/or external implementing partners, as well as LDC commercial team. Proactively analyze, identify, and ensure appropriate follow-up actions on compliance issues.
Monitor the roll-out of the LDC Suppliers Code of Conduct, providing adequate support to the procurement team to promote it with LDC’s suppliers
Supervise yearly the implementation of the Supplier Mapping by the procurement team to identify LDC’s main sourcing risks related to Deforestation and Human Rights as per the guidelines defined under LDC RSP Core
Facilitate the development of a supplier engagement program by organizing training to suppliers related to LDC’s suppliers CoC
Report regularly to the Regional Sustainability Manager and Country Head about the strategy’s implementation: coffee volumes produced and purchased under LDC’s RSP as well as costs related to LDC’s RS supply chains’ development versus the targets and budgets established per year
Coordinate plans and activities with other key departments, especially with procurement, quality, execution, SHE and industry teams to ensure LDC’s Coffee Responsible Sourcing Strategy is well-known, understood and implemented at each level of LDC’s operations. Build the capacity of LDC Coffee employees on LDC’s Responsible Sourcing Program, especially on LDC RSP and third-party standards’ rules (RA, 4C, Fairtrade, Organic) in order to ensure compliance of LDC’s operations and to guarantee to pass successfully the audits
Coffee – Stronger Coffee Initiative (SCI) :
In coordination with the Regional Sustainability Manager and SCI Global Manager, define the implementation strategy for the Stronger Coffee Initiatives in the country based on LDC Global SCI strategy and the local context:
- Identify in coordination with sustainability and origination teams how to maximize SCI investments within existing and/or new supply chains covered by LDC’s Responsible Sourcing Program.
- Supervise the delivery of targets, work plans and budgets linked to the development of SCI within the country in coordination with Regional Sustainability Manager and Global SCI Manager
Oversee project implementation, ensuring quality, timeliness, and budget compliance.
- Manage relationships with implementing partners, suppliers, and internal teams.
- Establish and follow best practices in project monitoring and analysis
- Lead and develop LDC Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning approach
Stakeholder Engagement & Fundraising
- Identify relevant local/ international stakeholders to engage in the programme financing, expansion and development
- Actively engage in identifying new funding opportunities and support Global SCI Manager in securing these opportunities by writing proposals, preparing budgets and other required documentation
- Represent the organization externally, raising visibility of sustainability efforts.
Carbon off-setting projects and other crops :
Oversee project implementation, ensuring quality, timeliness, and budget compliance.
Work closely with Carbon team as required and lead on all partner engagement and oversight activities
Stay updated on trends in voluntary carbon markets, helping LDC navigate changes and adopt new technologies and methodologies.
Communications
Liaise with the various stakeholders of the Coffee Platform to generate commercial benefit from the sustainability activities. Communicate with the Sustainability team across the countries/regions, the country managers/ the lead buyers and the lead sellers/ the trading desk
Represent LDC in fairs/exhibitions and bring visibility to our sustainability programs, etc.
Liaise with third party stakeholders including foundations, governmental organizations, commercial certification agencies
Produce engaging material to help promote the programme to new and existing clients and donors, as well as to strengthen internal LDC engagement with colleagues from other departments (in collaboration with Communications team)
Leadership and Team Management
- Build and manage high-performing, diverse teams.
- Foster a culture of feedback, collaboration, and accountability.
- Support staff development and succession planning.
Experience
Essential:
- Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in a field such as Agronomy, Economics, International Development, Environmental Science
- 5-8 years’ experience related to country and community level programs with a focus on sustainability and liaising with customers on budgets and proposals
- Proven leadership in managing country-level operations and donor relations.
- Strong understanding of smallholder agriculture, responsible sourcing, certification schemes, and MRV (carbon)
- Excellent communication skills in English, Kiswahili (any other local languages is a plus)
- Strategic thinker and systems-oriented leader.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to navigate multicultural environments and build inclusive teams.
- Passion for sustainable agriculture and rural transformation.
- Ability to deliver results in a clear, organized and methodical manner
- Attentive to cultural diversity and good rural community living knowledge
- Ability to work independently and proactively
- Enjoy spending time in the field with farmers
Desirable:
- Experience in the coffee sector
- Commercial experience in agriculture and private sector engagement
- Technical background: experience in using remote-sensing and GIS tools is a strong plus. Expertise in forestry, agroforestry, and managing carbon offset projects from nature-based solutions is a must.
- Carbon standards knowledge: familiarity with carbon standards (Verra, GS, Plan Vivo, etc.) and their methodologies.
Additional Information
Additional Information for the job
Diversity & Inclusion
LDC is driven by a set of shared values and high ethical standards, with diversity and inclusion being part of our DNA. LDC is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity, equity and inclusion.
LDC encourages diversity, supports local communities and environmental initiatives. We encourage people of all backgrounds to apply.
Sustainability
Sustainable value is at the heart of our purpose as a company.
We are passionate about creating fair and sustainable value, both for our business and for other value chain stakeholders: our people, our business partners, the communities we touch and the environment around us
What We Offer
We provide a dynamic and stimulating international environment, which will stretch and develop your abilities and channel your skills and expertise with outstanding career development opportunities in one of the largest and most solid private companies in the world.
Our Benefits
- Competitive salary and benefits
- Hybrid work available (not applicable to all roles)
- Private Pension contributions
- Access to Training and Development
- Access to Concierge Partnerships
- Meals for some employees in the assets
- Transport for employees in the asset facilities
- Private Medical Insurance
- 21 Days leave
- Life Insurance
