Location: Baricho (on-site), Malindi, Kenya

Employment Type: Full-time

Reports to: Farm General Manager

About Giraffe Bioenergy

Giraffe Bioenergy is building the largest cassava-to-ethanol ecosystem serving the rapidly growing clean cooking market in East Africa. Our vision is to build, own, and operate biorefineries in East Africa that produce ethanol cooking fuel that is affordable to communities currently reliant on charcoal and kerosene. By 2028 we plan to build 75 million liters/year of ethanol fuel capacity supplied by over 15,000 hectares of locally grown cassava. We are currently managing a 200-hectare farm which will employ 200 women from the community to grow cassava, beans, and chilies.

Position Overview:

We seek a highly skilled and dedicated Senior Farm Administrator to join our team. In this crucial role, you will help ensure the smooth running of the operational and administrative functions of the farm, freeing the general manager to focus on agricultural and strategic activities.

You will report to the General manager, and work closely with other departments including finance.

Key Responsibilities

Farm Program Planning and Operations:

• Work closely with the Farm General Manager to develop, implement, and monitor farm programs, ensuring they align with overall business objectives.
• Oversee the execution of farm program schedules, track progress, and provide regular updates to the General Manager.
• Coordinate daily farm operations, ensuring tasks are completed efficiently and according to set timelines.

Financial Management Support:

• Collaborate with the finance team to manage farm budgets, track expenses, and ensure adherence to financial guidelines.
• Assist in monitoring farm expenditures, ensuring they remain within approved budgets.
• Support financial reporting by providing accurate data related to farm operations, procurement, and other administrative activities.

Human Resources Management:

• Oversee administrative HR functions, including maintaining employee records, managing contracts, and handling payroll in collaboration with the HR team.
• Ensure compliance with labor laws and company HR policies, including managing casual labor and farm employees.
• Handle employee relations and assist in resolving conflicts, reporting to the General Manager on critical HR issues.

Procurement and Inventory Management:

• Manage procurement processes  of supplies, equipment and fuel, ensuring timely delivery and cost-effective purchasing.
• Maintain relationships with suppliers and vendors, negotiating favorable terms and ensuring contract compliance.
• Oversee the tracking and management of farm inventory, ensuring all assets and inputs are accounted for.
• Ensure that all procurement activities align with the farm’s financial and operational objectives.

Administration and Compliance:

• Manage all farm administrative tasks, including record-keeping, communication with external stakeholders, and compliance with relevant regulations.
• Ensure that all SOPs are followed for farm operations, finance, and procurement processes.
• Handle farm facility management, including maintenance of infrastructure and coordination of utilities.
• Assist in audits, inspections, and ensuring that the farm complies with environmental, health, and safety regulations.

Requirements

• Education and experience
• A relevant Bachelor’s Degree (business administration, operations, agriculture)
• 3-5 years of experience in administration and operations management, preferably in an agricultural or farm setting
• Skills:
• Strong leadership and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple departments and operations.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, able to collaborate with cross-functional teams.
• Ability to manage time effectively and prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in Google Workspace, MS Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), and familiarity with financial or procurement software.
• A keen understanding of farm operations and the ability to adapt to the unique demands of the agricultural industry.

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, with a preferred start date on or about November 2024.