Agriculture Director / Elephant Grass Programme Manager

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

Build and lead the large-scale Elephant/Napier grass cultivation programme and deliver stable biomass volumes at a competitive cost.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

· Design the cultivation system and agronomic standards.

· Lead variety selection, soil preparation and planting.

· Optimise fertilisation, biochar and digestate use.

· Plan harvesting systems and machinery fleets.

· Coordinate field-to-biogas-plant biomass logistics.

· Manage yield targets, field trials and agronomic data.

· Control biomass production cost per tonne.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE AND CAPABILITY

· Degree in agronomy, agricultural engineering or equivalent practical expertise.

· Strong experience in large-scale crop production.

· Knowledge of forage, grass, energy-crop or similar high-biomass cultivation.

· Ability to manage field teams, contractors and machinery systems.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

· Tropical agriculture experience.

· Elephant/Napier grass experience.

· Experience using digestate and biochar in crop systems.

KEY SUCCESS MEASURES

· Yield per hectare and delivered biomass cost.

· Reliable daily biomass supply.

· Soil productivity and field establishment performance.

RECRUITMENT PRINCIPLE

We are looking first and foremost for hands-on implementers with a proven record of taking real industrial or infrastructure projects from planning through procurement, construction, commissioning and operation.

The roles are part of an international renewable-energy, circular-economy, biorefining and industrial side-stream utilisation investment programme with Côte dIvoire as the principal implementation country. The portfolio includes both fast-start production projects and later large-scale industrial investments.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

A reasonable level of working English is essential. French language skills are a major advantage.

EXPECTED WORKING STYLE

· Practical, decisive and delivery-oriented.

· Fact-based, using measurable results and documented data.

· Prepared to challenge supplier assumptions and verify operating references.

· Able to work in a multicultural environment and build local capability.

· Understands that pilot testing, customer qualification and phased scale-up are central risk-management tools.

EMPLOYMENT AND LOCATION

Employment form, work location and travel requirements will be defined role by role. Some positions may begin in Finland or elsewhere in Europe, but several key roles will require significant presence in Côte dIvoire during implementation phases.