Agricultural Systems Change Lead (Fixed-Term) – Join Our Team at One Acre Fund!

Agricultural Systems Change Lead (Fixed-Term) – Join Our Team at One Acre Fund!

Location: Kenya, Rwanda

Career Level: Professionals

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About One Acre Fund

Welcome to One Acre Fund, where we are transforming the lives of smallholder farmers across Africa! Established in 2006, our mission is to empower one million farmers with the tools and knowledge they need to boost their agricultural productivity. Our diverse team of over 8,000 professionals operates in six core African countries, delivering quality farm supplies on credit and providing essential agricultural training. On average, the farmers we serve increase their harvests by a staggering 50 percent after partnering with One Acre Fund.

Discover more about our impactful work by exploring our “Why Work Here” blog.

About the Role

In 2022, One Acre Fund secured an impressive $18 million in funding from Co-Impact to execute a comprehensive systems change program spanning Rwanda, Kenya, and Ethiopia over a span of 5 years. Our goal is to gather a critical mass of farmers in each country, enabling both private and public entities to serve them effectively. We will introduce essential interventions such as improved seeds, trees, and land management, all while promoting gender equality. By the end of 2026, in collaboration with our public and private partners, we aim to generate millions in cumulative new farm profits for over 3.5 million farm families.

To achieve this ambitious vision, we are on the lookout for an experienced grant manager with exceptional project and stakeholder management skills. In this role, you will be the steward of a complex grant, with a primary focus on strengthening our agricultural systems change programs in Kenya, Rwanda, and Ethiopia. You will lead the coordination and monitoring of key activities associated with the grant, working closely with multiple internal departments and external partners. Your reporting line will be to a leader on our Global Business Development & Partnerships team, while also collaborating with team members in Kenya, Rwanda, and Ethiopia.

Responsibilities

1. Program Strategy and Implementation – Partner with country and program leads in the three countries to ensure the successful tracking and delivery of program goals and grant milestones. Collaborate with internal teams to identify potential risks and project implementation challenges, and proactively seek solutions in cooperation with all project stakeholders.
2. Grant Writing & Management – Take ownership of writing both narrative and financial reports in collaboration with the Business Development team. Work closely with frontend fundraisers to craft original content through a collaborative process. Monitor budget allocation and associated milestones alongside our internal Grants Finance team.
3. Sub-grantee Management – Foster strong relationships with our sub-grantee partner staff, ensuring grant milestones are achieved and program interventions align with the overarching grant objectives.

Career Growth and Development

At One Acre Fund, we foster a culture of continuous learning and invest in the growth of our team members. You’ll benefit from regular check-ins with your manager, access to mentorship and training programs, and constructive feedback on your performance. Our bi-annual career reviews provide an opportunity to discuss your aspirations and long-term career goals. Join us in shaping a growing organization and building a rewarding, enduring career.

Qualifications

For this role, we are seeking candidates with the following qualifications:

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree
• 5+ years of practical experience leading complex field programs in Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Prior writing experience is essential.
• Prior experience in grant management and/or agricultural value chain experience is highly preferred.
• Thorough understanding of the Sub-Saharan African context, and experience working with government institutions and international or non-governmental organizations supporting systems change work is strongly preferred.
• Genuine commitment to rural communities. You are passionate about providing opportunity to the hardest-working farmers on the planet.
• Language: English

Preferred Start Date: As soon as possible

Job Location: Kigali, Rwanda or Nairobi, Kenya

Benefits: We offer health insurance, housing, and comprehensive benefits.

Contract Duration: This is a 2-year contract role, with the potential to transition into a permanent position.

Eligibility: One Acre Fund can support a work permit for this role. However, nationals of (or those with an extensive professional background and work history in) our countries of operation are preferred.

Application Deadline: November 21, 2023

One Acre Fund will never ask candidates to pay any money or for tests at any stage of the interview process. Official One Acre Fund emails will always arrive from an @oneacrefund.org address. Please report any suspicious communication to globalhotline@oneacrefund.org, but do not send applications or application materials to this email address.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (DEI), and Anti-Racism

Our commitment to DEI and anti-racism is deeply connected to our organization’s mission and purpose. At One Acre Fund, we aspire to create a culture where all staff members consistently feel valued, represented, and connected. This enables our team to thrive as professionals and achieve exceptional impact for the farmers we serve.

We are dedicated to equal employment opportunity, regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender, gender identity, or expression. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.

Join our mission to empower smallholder farmers and make a lasting impact!

Expert Tips To Be A Successful Applicant

1. Highlight Field Experience: Showcase your practical experience leading complex programs in Sub-Saharan Africa. Provide concrete examples of successful initiatives you’ve managed.
2. Emphasize Writing Skills: Given the importance of grant management and reporting, detail your prior writing experience, particularly in a professional context.
3. Connect with Our Mission: Express your genuine commitment to rural communities and the empowerment of hardworking farmers.
4. Demonstrate Collaboration: Highlight instances where you’ve worked effectively with diverse stakeholders, including government institutions and non-governmental organizations.
5. Express Readiness: If you have the ability to start immediately, mention it in your application to demonstrate your readiness and enthusiasm for the role.

We look forward to receiving your application and welcoming you to the One Acre Fund team!