Agronomist at Career Options Africa Ltd

We are looking for a single, highly competent agronomist to manage the crop science across both the avocado and macadamia orchards. This is a hands-on role — the person will be in the field daily, working alongside a dedicated field supervisor and coordinating closely with the Farm Operations Lead and CEO.

Key Deliverables

• Orchard Management — Avocado & Macadamia
• Design and implement seasonal crop programmes for both orchards — nutrition, pest and disease control, pruning, and orchard hygiene
• Conduct regular block-by-block scouting to assess tree health, pest pressure, disease incidence, and crop development stage
• Monitor flowering, fruit set, and fruit retention across all blocks — reporting findings systematically rather than by exception
• Coordinate with the irrigation system to align fertigation schedules with crop nutritional requirements at each growth stage
• Ensure all chemical and fertiliser applications are recorded accurately in the farm management system — product, rate, block, date, and purpose
• Programme Monitoring & Outcome Reporting
• Every input programme — whether a fungicide application, a fertiliser cycle, or a micronutrient foliar — must be followed by an assessment of its effect. Did disease pressure drop? Did flowering improve? Did fruit retention hold? This is the accountability loop that connects expenditure to results.
• After each programme cycle, report observable outcomes against the intended purpose — not just that it was done, but what changed
• Track key indicators per block: pest and disease levels pre and post treatment, flowering-to-fruit conversion, fruit size and condition at key development stages
• Flag early when a programme is not delivering expected results — and come with an adjusted recommendation, not just the problem
• Contribute to monthly planning by providing the CEO and Operations Lead with a clear picture of orchard status and what each block needs in the coming weeks
• Export Compliance & Certification
• Maintain all agronomic records required for GlobalGAP and MAAIF certification — spray records, input registers, scouting logs, and pre-harvest intervals
• Ensure chemical use is compliant with export market MRL requirements — EU, UAE, and regional East Africa standards
• Support packhouse readiness by communicating harvest timing, expected quality, and any compliance concerns well in advance
• Coordinate with the certification process and be able to present field records confidently during audits.
• Input Planning & Cost Awareness
• Submit input requirements — chemicals, fertilisers, tools — in advance with quantities, purpose, and expected application timing
• Understand the cost of each programme relative to the crop stage and expected return — prioritise expenditure that drives yield and quality
• Work within approved budgets and escalate any unplanned requirements to the Operations Lead or CEO before procuring
• Maintain accurate stock usage records so inventory levels and programme costs can be reconciled against field activity
• Supervisor & Field Team Coordination
• Work with a dedicated field supervisor to deploy and direct casual labour for agronomic activities
• Ensure the field team understands application methods, safety protocols, and the standard required for each task
• Coordinate daily priorities with the Farm Operations Lead to ensure agronomic activities align with the broader field plan

Professional Qualifications

• Agriculture, Apiculture, Agronomy, Forestry, Fishing And Hunting    
• 5+ years of hands-on agronomic experience on a commercial export farm Direct experience with Hass avocado and/or macadamia is strongly preferred — candidates with both will be prioritised
• Proven experience with GlobalGAP certification requirements and export-standard compliance record-keeping Packhouse and post-harvest quality awareness — understanding of how field decisions affect export grading outcomes
• Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Horticulture, or Crop Science preferred; equivalent field experience considered