Certification Manager

Reporting to Chief Executive Officer, the Certification Manager is the person appointed by The Kenya Flower Council (KFC) to manage the Certification Body aspects of the Certification Scheme: Audit and Certification of the KFC Flowers and Ornamentals Sustainability Standards (FOSS) in accordance with the Certification Scheme Quality System Regulations as per ISO/IEC 17065, Conformity assessment – requirements for Bodies Certifying Products, Processes and Services.

The overall purpose:

• Manage the audit and certification of all the production and post-harvest processes against the good agricultural, social, environmental and governance aspects following the KFC FOSS and the Certification Scheme Quality System Regulations.
• Strategically ensure the success of the Certification Scheme through the efficient application of the KFC FOSS, the Quality System regulations and other specific procedures to maintain the Accreditation to ISO / IEC 17065, Conformity Assessment for Products, Processes and Services, FSI, SSCI and GLOBALGAP IFA requirements.
• Monitor the application of the KFC FOSS, the Quality System regulations and other specific procedures to ensure that the audit and certification processes are carried out with impartiality; objectively, confidentiality, efficiently and without any conflicts of interest, for continued global acceptance of the standard.
• Check and maintain adequate internal controls to ensure that there is no real or perceived conflict of interests, decision or activity that is performed that may allow commercial, financial or any other pressure to compromise impartiality.

This position is the technical lead in compliance and certification. It supervises the Lead Auditors.

Key Performance Indicators:

• Effective KFC Certification Committee Activities including and correct conduct of all the activities of this Certification Committee as per Committee ToRs.
• Updated register of certified producers after every Certification Committee meeting and the KFC website.
• Internal staff trainings on GLOBALG.A.P. FO, KFC Standard and Quality System Regulations.
• Representation of KFC at national and international forums, trade fairs and engagement in markets.
• Benchmark reports of KFC certification scheme with other international standard and schemes.

Physical and environmental demands:

• Significant periods of travel away from the workstation and working out of regular office hours.
• Occasional exertion of force (e.g., picking up and carrying paper files/reports, a laptop) may be necessary.
• Good manual dexterity required to use common office equipment (e.g., computers, copiers/scanners).

Qualifications and experience:

The qualifications and education required include: –

• At least a MSc. degree in Horticulture or Bachelor of Science in Horticulture.
• At least 7 years’ experience in a Lead Auditor position within the scope Flowers and Ornamentals.

Knowledge and skills:

• Knowledge of ISO 19011 principles, auditing skills, techniques, report preparation, communication skills and a practical application as defined in ISO / IEC17065, ISO 19011, ISO; 17025 and 17020 guidelines for quality and / or environmental management systems auditing and certification.
• Knowledge of what constitutes operational best practice with respect to social, environment, and good agricultural practice within the Horticulture Sector.
• Adequate knowledge and skills to interpret the compliance criteria on Hygiene, Health, Safety, Human Resource Management, Worker welfare and relevant Labour regulations.
• Adequate knowledge and skills to interpret Integrated Pest Management; Storage and Application of Plant Protection Products; application fertilizer products, Crop Nutrient Requirements and Nutrient Laboratory Test results.
• Adequate knowledge and skills to interpret Post-Harvest Quality Control and post-harvest treatment for flowers and ornamentals.
• Adequate knowledge and skills to interpret Water abstraction and application crop Water needs and procedures.
• Adequate knowledge and skills to interpret Solid and Water Waste management systems, water pollution and related laboratory test results.
• Adequate knowledge and skills to interpret calibration and maintenance of machinery and equipment used in flower production processes.
• Adequate knowledge and skills flowers and ornamentals Production Processes or chain of production from procurement of the flower products; growing technology, post-harvest handling and export logistics.
• Knowledge and good understanding of what constitutes attributes of ethical and professional conduct of the auditors with respect to auditing and certification that include but not limited to; commitment to improving social, environmental, hygiene health and safety, food safety compliance; great level of integrity; minimum supervision in a teamwork; honesty; diplomatic, courageous; efficient, reliability; ethical and professional; open minded; observant and versatile, among others.
• Confident in dealing with the common MS Office programs and can work in database systems.

Personal Attributes:

• Ability to endure significant periods of travel away from the workstation and working out of regular office hours.
• Good manual dexterity required to use common office equipment (e.g., computers, copiers/scanners).
• Maintenance of an independent, goal-oriented, and structured working style.
• Negotiation skills and diplomacy and enjoy working in an international market environment.
• Excellent written and spoken English skills are a must, Swahili language skills desirable.
• An analytical way of thinking, strong team spirit, willingness to help and social skills that complement your profile.

Professional certification required:

• Registration and approval by professional organizations such as GLOBALG.A.P. among others.
• ISO Lead Auditor Courses that include; ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems, ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems, SA 8000 Social Accountability, and ISO 22000 Food Safety Management Systems.

How To Apply

If you meet the above criteria, submit your CV and Cover Letter.

Address your email application with the title of the position you are applying to