Serendipalm Recruitment 2016

Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps, a family-owned company based in Vista, California, is the best-selling brand of natural soaps in the United States. Their signature Fair Trade & Organic (FTO) liquid and bar soaps, lotions and other personal care products are predominantly made with agricultural raw materials. These include fatty oils (coconut, olive, palm, hemp and jojoba oils) and essential oils (peppermint, lavender, citrus, eucalyptus and tea tree oils). In 2014, the company used over 4,000 metric tons (MT), some 9 million pounds, of these agricultural raw materials.
Since its founding in 1948, Dr. Bronner’s has made social responsibility and activism its mission. Its third-generation management, David and Mike Bronner, thus decided in 2003 to become active in managing the supply of the company’s raw materials — and the resulting social and environmental impacts. Because most of the company’s raw materials come from tropical countries, they were concerned about the harmful exposure of farmworkers to agro-chemicals. First, Dr. Bronner’s began purchasing certified organic raw materials from brokers but soon realized that the environmental, social and working conditions on the ground were not transparent and organic certification did not equal fairness

Job Description

Job Title: Trainee Field Officer

Responsibilities:

• Register and contract new farmers and farmer Associations.
• Help generate and update farm/farmer documentation (sketch maps using data collected with GPS, update contracts and farm entrance forms of farmers, etc.)
• Support farmers to maintain record keeping documentation.
• Support in the formation and strengthening of the various farmer Associations.
• Support in farmer training/education i.e. sensitization, technical advice and facilitate information sharing between farmers and Serendipalm.
• Conduct internal and risk-based inspections.
• Provide extension support to farmers to ensure increased productivity and conformity to Social and Fair Trade (SFT) and organic regulations with reference to the Serendipalm Quality Manual.
• Provide technical advice to farmers who are registered with Serendipalm ICS, on good agricultural management practices in oil palm (newly planted and existing), Cocoa, etc.
• Conduct harvest monitoring as well as spot checks- investigate issues of potential fraud as needed.
• Shall encourage Serendipalm Grower Group farmers to supply quality Fresh Fruit Bunches (FFBs) in both peak and lean seasons.
• Ensure organic and fair trade integrity.
• Collect data where necessary, and also provide support to the ICS Manager etc. in data entry, analysis and reporting.
• Experience on research in crop protection in cocoa
• Background in entomology
• Shall carry out other assignments as requested by management.

Required Skills or Experience

Required qualifications (must haves):

• A formal qualification in agricultural science at diploma or bachelors levels.
• At least 1 year of relevant employment in agriculture preferably working with oil palm and/or cocoa farmers.
• Self-driven, motivated, team-oriented and able to communicate and work with colleagues in a productive and open style
• Ability to analyze a problem and select practical solutions.
• Excellent written and spoken communication and a proactive approach to effective communication in Twi and English are a must.
• Willingness to undergo training on organic agriculture for at least six months.
• Willingness to relocate full time to Asuom, Eastern Region
• Basic computer skills (email, MS Office.)

How To Apply

Serendipalm Offers:

• A secure job with opportunities for growth
• Performance-based competitive compensation and benefits
• A very collegial and constructive working environment
• Management support of training to enhance job skills and experience
• References will be required