Internal Inspector

Role Overview

You will be the on-the-ground guardian of organic integrity for a growing agricultural manufacturing operation in Kwale County, working across scattered smallholder farms, coconut collection centres and processing units. Each day involves riding to field sites, inspecting cultivation and harvest practices against EU and USDA organic rules, guiding farmers and field staff on compliance, and collecting precise data that keeps the entire grower group certification-ready. Your inspections directly determine whether farmers remain on the approved list and whether the organisation can credibly claim organic status in export markets.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct thorough internal field inspections of farms, coconut production areas and collection centres, using the Internal Control System (ICS) as your primary checklist and workflow guide.
• Verify that land management, soil fertility practices, crop protection and harvesting methods align with EU 2018/848 and USDA/NOP organic requirements, flagging any deviations immediately.
• Perform yield estimations and balance checks by comparing expected farm output against actual harvest and purchase data to ensure every kilogram can be traced back to its source.
• Identify non-compliance risks, issue clear corrective action plans, and carry out follow-up visits to confirm that farmers have addressed findings within agreed timelines.
• Train buying clerks, receiving staff and field officers on how to log inspection results, handle compliance forms and recognise organic or Fair-Trade issues during daily operations.
• Work alongside field officers to educate smallholder farmers on approved organic inputs, soil conservation, climate-smart techniques and proper handling of coconut from harvest to collection.
• Use digital tools and mobile applications to capture inspection data, track yields, upload geotagged evidence and maintain a clean digital trail for external audits.
• Compile inspection reports, non-compliance logs and checklist summaries for the ICS Data Clerk, and actively support the annual grower group inspection work plan.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Diploma in Agriculture, Agribusiness, Horticulture or a closely related discipline from a recognised institution.
• Minimum of two years of proven field experience in agricultural extension services, internal auditing, or organic certification management, ideally involving smallholder producer groups.
• Solid working knowledge of EU organic regulations (2018/848), USDA/NOP standards, Fair-Trade certification requirements and Internal Control System (ICS) procedures.
• Valid motorcycle riding licence with practical experience navigating rural and unpaved terrains commonly found in coastal farm areas.
• Fluency in both English and Swahili, with the ability to communicate technical compliance requirements in simple, accessible language for farmers with varying literacy levels.
• Comfortable using smart gadgets, mobile data collection applications and MS Office tools (Excel and Word) for reporting and record management.
• Demonstrated integrity and impartiality, with the discipline to conduct objective audits even when findings are uncomfortable or involve familiar community members.

What We Offer / Why Join

This is a full-time, field-based position based in Kwale County, offering a monthly salary of KSh 30,000 – KSh 35,000 depending on experience. You will work at the heart of a dynamic organic farming network, building valuable expertise in international certification systems while directly supporting smallholder farmers to improve their practices. If you already know the coastal agricultural landscape and local communities, you will be able to make an immediate impact from your first week.