Overview

One Acre Fund is seeking an experienced and visionary Sustainable Agriculture Innovation Lead to accelerate the transition from imported synthetic fertilizers toward more sustainable, locally adapted, and regenerative agricultural systems for millions of smallholder farmers across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Founded in 2006, One Acre Fund currently serves over 5.5 million smallholder farmers across nine African countries through agricultural financing, farm inputs, training, tree planting programs, and rural development services.

This strategic role sits at the intersection of:

• Agronomy
• Soil Science
• Sustainable Agriculture
• Agricultural Innovation
• Research & Development
• Supply Chain Development
• Government Policy Engagement
• Climate-Smart Agriculture

The successful candidate will help identify, evaluate, test, and scale innovative alternatives to synthetic fertilizers while supporting the organization's broader mission of creating resilient and regenerative farming systems.

Why This Opportunity Matters

Agriculture across Sub-Saharan Africa remains heavily dependent on imported synthetic fertilizers, exposing farmers to:

• Supply chain disruptions
• Rising production costs
• Market volatility
• Environmental degradation
• Soil health challenges

This role directly contributes to solving one of the most important agricultural challenges facing Africa today.

Strategic Impact

The successful candidate will help shape agricultural systems that affect millions of farmers across multiple countries.

Climate & Sustainability Leadership

You will contribute to:

• Regenerative agriculture
• Soil restoration
• Sustainable nutrient management
• Climate resilience
• Food security

Innovation & Research

The position offers an opportunity to lead cutting-edge work involving:

• Biological fertilizers
• Organic nutrient solutions
• Alternative cropping systems
• Soil microbiology innovations
• Local fertilizer production systems

Pan-African Influence

The role involves collaboration with:

• Governments
• Research institutions
• Input manufacturers
• Agricultural innovators
• Development partners

across several African countries.

Application Tips

Candidates should tailor their applications toward agricultural innovation, sustainability, and research leadership.

Highlight Technical Expertise

Emphasize experience in:

• Agronomy
• Soil Science
• Agroecology
• Plant Nutrition
• Microbiology
• Sustainable Farming Systems

Demonstrate Research Experience

Strong candidates should showcase:

• Field trial design
• Agricultural experimentation
• Data analysis
• Research interpretation
• Scientific reporting

Showcase Systems Thinking

One Acre Fund seeks professionals who understand:

• Smallholder farming realities
• Farm economics
• Nutrient cycling
• Cropping systems
• Climate resilience

Demonstrate Project Leadership

Highlight examples where you:

• Led cross-functional projects
• Managed multiple stakeholders
• Coordinated technical teams
• Delivered innovation initiatives

Mention Regulatory Experience

Experience involving:

• Agricultural product registration
• Government engagement
• Agricultural policy
• Regulatory approvals

will be highly valuable.

The Sustainable Agriculture Innovation Lead will accelerate One Acre Fund’s transition toward more sustainable plant nutrition systems by identifying promising alternatives to imported synthetic fertilizers and supporting their research, development, testing, registration, and farmer adoption.

The role combines:

• Research leadership
• Strategic planning
• Market intelligence
• Supplier engagement
• Policy advocacy
• Project management

to create scalable agricultural solutions.

Responsibilities

Develop and maintain a comprehensive database of alternatives to imported synthetic fertilizers.

Activities include:

• Global market scanning
• Literature reviews
• Supplier assessments
• Product evaluations
• Farmer adoption studies
• Expert consultations

Potential alternatives may include:

• Biological fertilizers
• Organic fertilizers
• Bio-stimulants
• Microbial products
• Regenerative farming practices

Create evidence-based evaluation systems for comparing innovations based on:

• Yield performance
• Cost effectiveness
• Farmer profitability
• Supply chain reliability
• Ease of adoption
• Product availability
• Environmental impact
• Scientific evidence

Develop and drive a long-term research and development roadmap.

Responsibilities include:

• Defining research priorities
• Designing implementation pathways
• Sequencing trials and research activities
• Coordinating organizational strategy

The role will help determine which technologies and practices can achieve the greatest impact for African smallholder farmers.

Work closely with research teams to:

• Design field trials
• Monitor implementation
• Analyze findings
• Interpret results
• Disseminate evidence

Support high-quality experimentation across multiple countries and farming systems.

Collaborate with agricultural input manufacturers and innovators to:

• Improve product suitability
• Refine formulations
• Address logistical constraints
• Accelerate market entry

The role may involve advising suppliers on how products can better serve African smallholder farmers.

Work with government relations teams to:

• Advocate for supportive policies
• Facilitate product registration
• Improve regulatory pathways
• Expand farmer access to sustainable solutions

Coordinate efforts among:

• Research teams
• Supply chain teams
• Government relations teams
• Operations staff
• Agricultural suppliers
• External partners

Maintain alignment toward shared sustainability goals.

Requirements

Candidates should possess a degree in one of the following fields:

• Agronomy
• Soil Science
• Plant Nutrition
• Microbiology
• Agroecology
• Related Agricultural Sciences

Advanced qualifications are highly advantageous.

Applicants should demonstrate experience in:

Sustainable Agriculture Systems

Experience designing or managing:

• Farm transition pathways
• Regenerative agriculture programs
• Integrated soil fertility management
• Sustainable cropping systems

Agricultural Research

Knowledge of:

• Experimental design
• Trial implementation
• Statistical analysis
• Results interpretation

Plant Nutrition

Strong understanding of:

• Soil fertility
• Nutrient management
• Biological solutions
• Organic inputs
• Soil health systems

The following are considered strong advantages:

Regulatory Experience

Experience with:

• Product registration
• Agricultural regulations
• Policy advocacy

particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Advanced Data Analysis

Experience in:

• Research analytics
• Experimental modelling
• Impact forecasting

Supplier & Industry Engagement

Experience working directly with:

• Agricultural manufacturers
• Input suppliers
• Technology innovators

Successful candidates should possess:

Strategic Thinking

Ability to translate research into large-scale implementation strategies.

Innovation Mindset

Capacity to identify emerging agricultural technologies and opportunities.

Project Management

Experience coordinating complex, multi-country initiatives.

Stakeholder Management

Ability to work effectively across diverse teams and sectors.

Communication Skills

Strong written and verbal communication skills for technical and non-technical audiences.

Problem-Solving

Ability to address technical, logistical, and behavioral adoption barriers.

One Acre Fund offers:

• Comprehensive health insurance
• Housing support
• Competitive benefits package
• Professional development opportunities
• Mentorship programs
• Career growth reviews every six months
• Exposure to large-scale agricultural innovation projects

How to Apply

Interested candidates should apply through the official careers platform of One Acre Fund.

Application Deadline

08 September 2026

Important: Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and recruitment may close before the deadline once a suitable candidate is identified.