Head of Agroforestry - Cote d'Ivoire Cocoa Sustainability

Date: 4 Jul 2025

Country: Cote d'Ivoire

Function: Abidjan HO

Sub-Function: Product Sustainability - Agronomy

About Us

We are a global leader in food & beverage ingredients. Pioneers at heart, we operate at the forefront of consumer trends to provide food & beverage manufacturers with products and ingredients that will delight their consumers. Making a positive impact on people and planet is all part of the delight. With a deep-rooted presence in the countries where our ingredients are grown, we are closer to farmers, enabling better quality, and more reliable, traceable and transparent supply. Supplying products and ingredients at scale is just the start. We add value through our unique, complementary portfolio of natural, delicious and nutritious products. With our fresh thinking, we help our customers unleash the sensory and functional attributes of cocoa, coffee, dairy, nuts and spices so they can create naturally good food & beverage products that meet consumer expectations. And whoever we’re with, whatever we’re doing, we always make it real.

Main Purpose of the Job

To support agroforestry and carbon removal strategy and operations in Côte d’Ivoire (CDI), in order to help reach ofi and customer objectives of Climate Action

Key Responsibilities

This position will have accountability for:

Designing and implementing an integrated agroforestry system and strategy for ofi leading sustainability programs and commitments,
Identifying corresponding performance management tools and processes to measure the effectiveness and impact of the proposed system.
Design and implement a comprehensive agroforestry system for ofi’s sustainability business in line with corporate, customer and partner requirements and strategies
Collaborate with rest of CDI sustainability team during program development and financial proposals to ensure alignment with strategic vision, developing appropriate system indicators, processes and tools, and budget cost estimates
Oversee the rollout of all agroforestry programs and projects in Cote d’Ivoire, in collaboration with the CDI Cocoa Sustainability Operations Lead
Define and set up key performance indicators, data collection methodology, process and tools, verification process, reporting and analysis requirements, including ofi’s regional commitments on Reforestation & reduction of Natural Capital Cost
Participate in any setting up and overseeing agroforestry related training programs to support CDI Sustainability team or other sustainability teams where needed.
Support knowledge creation, sharing and learning of internal lessons learnt and best practices across origins and program, including with non-sustainability focused colleagues such as sales and commercial teams
Use result-based analysis to understand efficacy of current agroforestry program across geographies and work with implementation teams to strengthen and improve agroforestry program globally based on our vision and strategic goals
Work with relevant external bodies to improve industry communication and alignment and represent ofi in relevant forums and conferences.

Stakeholders

INTERNAL RELATIONS

Cote d'Ivoire Cocoa Sustainability Operations Lead

Central Cocoa Sustainability team

Other Central Sustainability teams

Any other relevant department in Cote d'Ivoire

EXTERNAL RELATIONS

Ministries & Institutions, such as MINEF, SODEFOR, CCC, World Bank and all relevant stakeholders to ensure a successful outcome and leverage maximum value for ofi

Education, Skills and Qualifications required

Master’s degree or PhD in agroforestry, ecology, environmental restoration, or a related field
Professional Experience: +5 years of leadership and demonstrated results in agroforestry, restoration, or related domains in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Experience in operational deployment of Agroforestry and Landscape Restoration
History of collaboration with primary actors in the forestry and landscape restoration sectors, including implementers, technical resources, and policymakers
Experience in verification and certification of agroforestry activities
Some experience in carbon reporting

ofi is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, nationality, disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Applicants are requested to complete all required steps in the application process including providing a resume/CV in order to be considered for open roles.