Job Description

Our client, an international commodity trading industry is looking to hire a fully bilingual Crop Forecast Manager to help with their operations in both Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana.

ROLE PROFILE

The Forecast Manager will be responsible for monitoring cocoa crop prospects in West Africa based on monthly treks in Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire (as well as Nigeria twice a year). The candidate will directly report to the Senior Cocoa Research Analyst in London and is responsible for managing field operations and staff in Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire. He will act as the main point of contact between London and West Africa, and be responsible for the logistical and financial aspects of the operation.

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Supervise cocoa pod counting operations and data entry.
• Supervise logistics (travel arrangements, vehicle maintenance, expenses, etc.)                                                                                                    
• Source production and weather data from official sources
• Monitor crop prospects and industry activity
• Deliver competitively advantageous information on production, grindings and policy in the form of monthly reports.

Required Skills or Experience

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

• BA or MSc. In Agronomy, Economics, Statistics or related subjects (optional)
• A minimum of 5-10 years’ experience running field operations in Agronomy, Sustainability or Traceability.
• Experience of working in rural environment

REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to work independently and without supervision
• Good analytical, organizational, and leadership skills
• Financially competent (able to manage budgets)
• Proactive, very good attention to detail and analytical skills (candidate will need to understand how trek results are used for crop forecasting so they know how sampling can influence results.)
• Ability to speak English, Twi, and French
• The candidate will be based in Abidjan or Accra.
• Must have a strong knowledge of the cocoa industry and prior experience running field operations
• Be willing to spend extended periods of time on the road and in cocoa farms (15 to 20 days per month)
• Be willing to travel between Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana on a regular basis, as well as Nigeria occasionally.