Rocio Ortiz was looking for a role where she could continue working at origin, but closer to farmers, and apply her experience in sustainability in a more direct way.

When she was approached for the opportunity at Esco Uganda, the role immediately stood out. It was not only a strong match with her background, but also with the type of work she wanted to do next. It offered the chance to move from a sustainability role on the buyer side into a role much closer to production.

In the first conversations, the reason behind the vacancy, the company context and the supply chain in which Esco Uganda operates were discussed in detail. For Rocio, the farmer-focused nature of the work was important. It made the opportunity feel different from other roles she was considering.

The position became open at an important moment for Esco Uganda

For Esco Uganda, this was a new position. The company was growing and sustainability had become an area that needed dedicated leadership.

For origin producers, the world around sustainability is becoming more complex. Traceability, certification and customer requirements are increasingly important. Sustainability expectations have become more concrete and demanding. They are no longer side topics, but part of how the business protects and develops its market position.

That made the role important. Esco Uganda needed someone who could support the business in this next phase, while understanding both international expectations and the reality of working with farmers and supply chains in Uganda and the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.

For Rocio, the role brought different parts of her career together

For Rocio, the opportunity came at the right moment.

The position brought together her experience in international development and the private sector. It was not just another sustainability job. It was a chance to work in cocoa sustainability at origin, close to the people and systems behind the supply chain.

The decision was personal. Rocio had already worked at origin before, including in Kenya and Malawi. But taking on a full-time move to Uganda for a new role was still a big step. It requires trust in the company, clarity about the position and confidence that the move makes sense both professionally and personally.

How a personal process helped Rocio prepare for the role and the move to Uganda

When a role means moving countries, the conversations around it matter.

During the process, it helped that Mart lives in the region and could be someone for Rocio to talk to. Not only about the role itself, but also about the company, the region and the practical step of moving to Uganda.

Mart knows Esco Uganda well and understands the wider sector. This helped him give Rocio a clear picture of the company, the role and the context she would be stepping into.

During the interviews, both sides started to see the fit

As the conversations with Esco Uganda progressed, the match became clear from both sides. Although the role was not a fully similar role on paper, Rocio’s background showed a strong fit for the step she was about to take.

For Esco Uganda, she brought the right combination of experience, attitude, interest and cultural fit. Her experience in sustainability, compliance, international devel

opment and working at origin made the move into this role a logical next step.

For Rocio, the conversations with the team were important. She felt chemistry with the company during the interview process. The conversations felt natural, almost as if they were interacting as a team before she had even started. That feeling became an important part of her final decision.

The role matched her experience, but the values of the company made the opportunity stand out even more.

Rocio’s new chapter in Uganda has started

Rocio has now joined Esco Uganda in a role that brings together her skills, values and professional ambitions.

Having Rocio on board as Head of Sustainability strengthens an important function for Esco Uganda at a time when sustainability, traceability and farmer-focused supply chains are becoming increasingly important.

For Rocio, it marks the start of a new chapter in Uganda. A unique opportunity to work in cocoa sustainability at origin, with a company whose values align strongly with her own.

For us, this is what makes recruitment personal. Not only finding someone with the right experience, but understanding the person behind the CV and the company they are joining.