Context:

Founded in 1989, Olam is a leading global food company supplying food and industrial raw materials to more than 22,000 customers worldwide. Our team of 72,000 employees in 66 countries has established leadership positions in several of our 18 platforms, including cocoa, coffee, edible nuts, spices and rice.

 

The subsidiaries Olam Palm Gabon (OPG) and Olam Rubber Gabon (ORG) created in 2011 in Gabon are agro-industrial plantations of oil palm (around 60,000 ha) and Rubber (around 11,000 ha) meeting the standards of internationally recognized sustainable management, as well as demanding internal norms (see links to our policies below). Olam's development model in Gabon implies that a large part of the concessions have been put into conservation, more than 50% of the areas allocated, or more than 130,000 hectares of protected natural habitats, most of which is classified as High Conservation Value (HCV). Given the very rich biodiversity in Gabon and the vast areas protected by the company, we have a very strong desire to protect and enhance the value of these large areas.

 

We wish to strengthen our CSR and Sustainable Development team through this recruitment, in order to maintain our leadership position in sustainable and responsible development in Africa and in the world, and to implement a robust and innovative conservation and monitoring of the local environment and its biodiversity.

 

Main tasks required:

 

• Optimization of the group's environmental program in Gabon, by updating the strategy and conservation objectives
• Integration of the protection and monitoring of biodiversity in the environmental program
• Strengthening of the research program on flora rare and threatened species in Olam concessions in Gabon
• Optimization of methods and protocols for measuring and monitoring wildlife
• Reporting in line with IFC requirements, in particular performance standard 6 dedicated to biodiversity and sustainable management of natural resources
• Coordinate plantations’ activities possibly impacting on the environment, including water and waste management in the concessions.
• Monitoring of the environmental and social management plans of each concession, by facilitating independent monitoring visits and by effectively implementing the action plans in place
• Coordination of field teams, and daily support for the implementation of internal policies and standards
• Contribute to dialogue with civil society, coordinate scientific and technical partnerships in the field, and propose new programs
• Direct support to the Sustainable Development Country Head

 

Level of responsibilities:

 

The candidate will be considered as OPG/ORG Environment and Biodiversity Manager. He/She will have as direct colleagues the leaders from “Social”, “Security” and “Certification” departments. He/She will report to the Country Sustainable Development Head for Olam plantations in Gabon.

 

Place of work:

The successful candidate will be based in Gabon, Central Africa, housed in company's premises with high mobility across the 6 agro-concessions.

 

Required experience:

 

• Hold a Master's degree or equivalent in a discipline related to the environment and/or project management with a strong environmental component. •
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience is required, with a preference for experienced people who have already worked in Africa. Applications with a good knowledge of environmental and social issues around agro-industries will be favored.

 

The position is open for national and international candidates.

 

Required strengths:

 

• Autonomy, rigor, motivation and proactivity
• Good interpersonal and communication. Able to work in a team within a multicultural environment
• Very good knowledge of English (working language)
• Writing and synthesis skills
• Good knowledge of international conservation norms and standards (eg HVC, HCS, IFC, RA, RSPO, FSC, etc.)

 

Selection process:

 

A CV and a cover letter must be submitted to the OLAM offices in Libreville, on a written format to the OPG/ORG Head of Human Resources, or by email addressed to Mr. Hermelia Hayes (hermelia.hayes@olamnet.com) in both cases specifying “Environment and Biodiversity Manager” in the subject of the letter/email.

 

Please download the document below: