FIELD OPERATIONS OFFICER

Job description

Forest Fruits Ltd. is Zambia’s leading producer of certified organic honey and beeswax, and the largest single exporter of honey on the African Continent. This dynamic and rapidly expanding social enterprise owns the Zambezi Gold™ brand of honey and currently employs 80 + full-time staff and 30 seasonal workers in addition to its out-growers, most of whom are based in Mwinilunga, North-Western Province.

The company invites applications from suitably qualified and experienced persons to fill the following positions in the Operations Department:

FIELD OPERATIONS OFFICER X 2

This position will be reporting to the Operations Manager in Mwinilunga. The successful candidate will be responsible for the following:

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Beekeeper Mobilization and Capacity Building

• Organize and coordinate meetings with beekeeping groups and producer associations.

• Mobilize and support beekeepers to participate in company programmes and procurement activities.

• Deliver training programmes in accordance with Forest Fruits Zambia standards and organic certification requirements.

• Provide technical guidance and support to beekeepers to improve production quality and productivity.

• Monitor compliance with company and organic production standards.

Field Operations and Procurement

• Organize the procurement of honey, beeswax, and other bee products through the scheduling and coordination of marketing dates.

• Coordinate product purchasing activities in designated operational areas.

• Ensure procurement activities are conducted efficiently and in accordance with company procedures.

• Assist in forecasting product availability and procurement volumes.

Quality Assurance and Product Inspection

• Test and inspect bee products to ensure they meet company quality standards prior to weighing and purchasing.

• Verify compliance with quality specifications and organic requirements.

• Identify and report quality issues and recommend corrective actions where necessary.

Data Collection and Analysis

• Collect field data relating to production, crop forecasts, beekeeper performance and procurement activities.

• Analyze field information and provide recommendations to management.

• Prepare bucket requests and other operational forecasts based on field requirements.

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date field records and databases.

Financial and Inventory Accountability

• Facilitate fund disbursement activities in accordance with company procedures.

• Conduct weighing and verification of products during procurement activities.

• Reconcile purchased products, company assets and materials issued to beekeepers, Community Buyers and agents.

• Maintain accountability for company funds and property under their control.

Planning and Budgeting

• Develop activity plans and budgets for field operations and projects.

• Ensure field activities are implemented within approved budgets and timelines.

• Monitor expenditure and utilization of resources during field operations.

Reporting and Documentation

• Prepare and submit accurate and timely field reports.

• Maintain records relating to training, procurement, product quality, fund disbursements and field activities.

• Provide regular updates and recommendations to the Operations Manager and General Manager.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Build and maintain positive working relationships with beekeepers, Community Buyers, agents, local authorities and other stakeholders.

• Represent the company professionally during field activities and community engagements.

• Support initiatives aimed at strengthening the company’s supplier network.

General Responsibilities

• Adhere to company policies, procedures and operational standards.

• Safeguard company property, equipment and resources entrusted to their care.

• Promote health, safety, environmental and organic compliance standards.

• Perform any other duties reasonably assigned by management.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Diploma in Agriculture, Agribusiness, Natural Resource Management, Rural Development, Forestry, Environmental Science or a related field. A bachelor’s degree will be an added advantage.

• 5 years’ experience working with rural communities, farmer groups, cooperatives or agricultural value chains will be an added advantage.

• Knowledge of beekeeping, honey production, organic certification systems or community development programmes is desirable.

• Experience in data collection, training facilitation and field operations.

COMPETENCIES

• Strong communication and facilitation skills.

• Good planning and organizational abilities.

• Data collection and analytical skills.

• Report writing and record-keeping skills.

• Ability to work independently in remote field locations.

• Strong interpersonal and stakeholder management skills.

• Attention to detail and accountability.

• Problem-solving and decision-making abilities.

• Ability to ride a motorcycle and possess a valid riding licence (where applicable).

WORKING CONDITIONS

• The role is field-based and requires extensive travel to rural operational areas.

• Frequent interaction with beekeepers, community groups and procurement agents.

• May require overnight travel and work outside normal office hours during procurement periods.

• Exposure to outdoor environmental conditions and remote working locations.