Tupande Biochar Compliance Specialist (Fixed-Term)

About the Role

Owns the facility's Compliance function, combining leadership of the Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) programme with responsibility for facility Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) programme design and oversight. Designs and runs the data system that captures feedstock, production, quality, and end-use data to the standard required by the external verifier. Owns HSE programme design, training, documentation, and audit readiness. Serves as the primary interface with external verifiers, auditors, and regulators (NEMA, DOSH, third-party carbon verifiers). Reports to the Biochar Lead.

Responsibilities

Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) Leadership

Design and maintain the facility's HSE programme, including risk registers, emergency response plans, and safety-critical procedures

Design and deliver HSE training for all facility staff, including inductions, toolbox talks, and emergency drills

Ensure PPE distribution, safety signage, and site safety infrastructure are in place and maintained

Support the Production Shift Supervisors, who carry shift-level safety accountability, with the programme, tools, and training they need to enforce safety on shift.

Coordinate scheduled third-party HSE testing and audits (fire safety, emissions, occupational health)

Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) Leadership

Design, implement, and manage the facility's MRV system covering feedstock inputs, production outputs, quality measurements, and carbon removal calculations.

Ensure data collection processes across all shifts are accurate, consistent, and traceable to the carbon standards the facility reports against

Oversee and support the Lab and Quality Technicians in their data recording responsibilities to ensure the standard required for verification

Develop and maintain data management systems, dashboards, and reporting templates for MRV purposes

Stay current on evolving carbon standards, methodology requirements, and MRV best practices in the biochar sector

Audit Readiness

Serve as the primary point of contact with external verifiers, auditors, and certification bodies during verification and audit cycles (carbon, HSE, environmental)

Prepare and submit monthly and quarterly reports required for carbon credit verification

Prepare the facility for audits, including documents, site walkthroughs, and evidence for the verifier

When auditors flag issues, own the corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs) through to closure

Maintain audit-ready documentation across MRV, HSE, and environmental compliance streams at all times

Staff Training

Train all relevant staff at the facility on MRV data recording requirements, HSE procedures, and the importance of data and safety discipline

Coordinate cross-functionally with Production, Quality, and Administration on the completeness and accuracy of the data they record for MRV and safety reporting

Farmer Engagement

Develop and maintain training materials for field staff on correct biochar application methods and how to collect data at the point of delivery

Deliver refresher training to field teams before the start of each season

Qualifications

Degree in Health and Safety, Environmental Science, Engineering, Data Science, Agronomy, or a related field

Minimum 3 years of experience in HSE, compliance, audit, or environmental data management roles

Strong background in HSE, OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Act, Kenya, 2007), ISO (International Organization for Standardization), or comparable regulatory environments is a strong advantage

Comfort engaging with third-party auditors and external verifiers, and comfort designing and running audit-facing programmes

Familiarity with carbon standards (e.g., Isometric, Puro.earth, EBC, IBI) or carbon credit methodologies is a plus but not required. Successful candidates will build this expertise on the job, supported by Tupande's carbon partners

Strong data management, reporting, and analytical skills

Experience with data management platforms, spreadsheets, or environmental monitoring software

High attention to detail and a strong commitment to data integrity, traceability, and safety discipline

Willingness to learn on the job across both MRV and HSE domains; the role's success depends on translating a strong compliance foundation across both areas

Fluent in English; experience working in an East African context is an advantage