About One Acre Fund
Founded in 2006, One Acre Fund supplies 1 million smallholder farmers with the agricultural services they need to make their farms vastly more productive. Our 8,000+ team is drawn from diverse backgrounds and professions. With operations across six core countries in Africa, we make farmers more prosperous by providing quality farm supplies on credit, delivered within walking distance of farmers’ homes, and agricultural training to improve harvests. On average, the farmers we serve harvest 50 percent more food after working with One Acre Fund.
To learn more about our work, take a look at our Why Work Here blog for more information.
About the Role
The Potato Agronomy Specialist will oversee a sustainable early generation seed (EGS) production in the greenhouses and multiplication in the field with a clear focus on improving yields and seed quality while driving down production costs. The agronomy specialist will work with seed outgrowers and OAF Field teams to ensure that seed potato multiplication plans are precisely accomplished to hit program goal. You will report directly to the Potato Seed Venture Lead.
Responsibilities
Seed Multiplication and Quality Management (80%)
- Support to set up greenhouse facilities ideal for apical cuttings and minitubers production.
- Create seasonal and yearly plans for early generation seed production and ensure they are shared with your manager.
- You will train field teams on Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and Good Handling Practices (GHPs) to ensure seed quality is not compromised throughout the seed value chain
- Coordination with RAB and RICA to ensure potato seed produced is certified.
- Maintain a seed inventory system for the different seed production phases (G1, G2, G3, and G4)
- Work with the OAF seed quality control specialist to ensure seed for internal quality testing is sampled and delivered to the laboratory.
- You will assist to develop agronomy plans for OAF seed out growers.
People Management (20%)
- You will prioritize team professional and personal career development – creating experts in all areas that our seed team works in to directly influence department goals.
- You’ll train the team to be complete owners of their work to become more efficient while reducing costs of operations.
- You will lead seed out growers and partner relationship management.
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
Across all roles, these are the general qualifications we look for. For this role specifically, you will have:
- At least 3 years of experience and working knowledge of the Rwanda seed industry with a focus on potato seed value chain.
- Deep technical knowledge of potato early generation seed (EGS), their production and optimization of potato agronomy and other inputs that ensure maximization of quality yields.
- Experience working with potato apical cuttings is a definite advantage.
- Experience in seed inventory systems, in particular storage and handling of large seed volumes.
- A degree in agronomy, crop production or equivalent.
- Proficiency in English and Kinyarwanda
Preferred Start Date
As soon as possible
Job Location
Bugesera, Rwanda
Benefits
Health insurance, paid time off
Eligibility
This role is only open to citizens or permanent residents of Rwanda.
Application Deadline:27 February 2022
One Acre Fund never asks candidates to pay any money or pay 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 here (globalhotline@oneacrefund.org), but do not send applications or application materials to this email address.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (DEI), and anti-racism are deeply connected to our organization’s mission and purpose. One Acre Fund aspires to build a culture where all staff feel consistently valued, represented, and connected – so that our team can thrive as professionals, and achieve exceptional impact for the farmers we serve.
We are committed 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.
