Sustainable Agriculture Innovation Lead

The objective of the Sustainable Agriculture Innovation Lead role is to accelerate One Acre Fund’s work on the transition away from imported synthetic fertilizers to a more local and sustainable crop nutrition regime. You will build on existing input trials, cropping systems trials, new product research, and supplier research to help identify the most promising innovations in the world that could be appropriate for smallholders in Sub-Saharan Africa. You’ll accelerate our research on these technologies and work with a wide range of stakeholders to improve access for smallholders. This role reports to the Impact and R&D Division but is a cross-functional role that liaises often with colleagues in Supply Chain, Government Relations, and Field Operations.  

An ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of smallholder farming systems and a nuanced appreciation for the factors that will make a regenerative transition possible. We are looking for an innovative and proactive leader who can accelerate this work and overcome technical, logistical, or behavioral roadblocks.

Responsibilities

Build and maintain a database of alternatives to imported, synthetic fertilizers ("alternatives")

• Initially, conduct a wide scan of input and practice alternatives through desk research, key informant interviews, available performance data, supplier conversations, current product adopters, etc.  Regular market scans will become an ongoing practice.  

• Create a prioritization framework based on factors like mechanism of action, cost, yield impact, profitability impact, quality of evidence, farmer feasibility, logistical feasibility, supply chain stability, etc.

Drive forward a multi-year R&D strategy for this work

• Work with R&D leads and other stakeholders to design our “alternatives” strategy.  Considering the logical & efficient sequence in which to tackle different questions; the sorts of trials we need to do, and in what order; and the optimal sequencing and prioritization.  

• Translate the strategy into an action plan, and ensure that we meet our targets in all areas including agricultural research, government relations, supplier engagement, logistics, and supply chain, etc.

• Support R&D leads to ensure high-quality trial design, execution, analysis, and dissemination of results.

Supplier engagement to accelerate market entry

• As appropriate, work with specific input suppliers to refine their products to specifications that work for smallholder farmers in SSA.  You may suggest trials, propose new formulations, address supply chain constraints, etc., to improve product development.  

• Proactively engage suppliers to expedite research, helping them demonstrate efficacy and achieve product registration.

Internal Stakeholder Management

• Keep the many stakeholders in this work aligned and working effectively towards shared objectives.  This might include leading a working group, providing regular updates to stakeholders, maintaining relationships through 1:1 meetings, etc.

• Liaise with Government Relations colleagues, advocating for policy changes that promote the registration and farmer access of viable alternative products.

Career Growth and Development

We have a strong culture of constant learning, and we invest in developing our people. You’ll have weekly check-ins with your manager, access to mentorship and training programs, and regular feedback on your performance. We hold career reviews every six months and set aside time to discuss your aspirations and career goals. You’ll have the opportunity to shape a growing organization and build a rewarding long-term career.

Qualifications

For this role specifically, you will have:

• Relevant academic background in Agronomy, Soil Science, Plant Nutrition, Microbiology, Agroecology, or a related field.

• Experience developing and/or managing farm system transition pathways.  You will ideally bring consideration of diverse cropping systems, sustainable plant protection, nutrient cycling, and integrated soil fertility management, as well as an ability to model the productivity and financial impact of changes.  

• Familiarity with the latest advances in sustainable plant nutrition - particularly biological solutions - and soil science.  This includes the latest scientific understanding as well as knowledge of promising products, services, and practices.

• Familiarity with agricultural research (e.g., experimental design, analysis, interpretation of results). Robust experimental analysis capabilities are a plus.

• Strong project management skills and experience leading complex initiatives with diverse stakeholders.  

• Experience navigating agricultural regulatory or product registration pathways in Sub-Saharan Africa is a plus.