Job
description
Organization
Description
Most of the world’s
poor are farmers, representing the largest and most uniform group of poor
people in the world. One Acre Fund is a start-up NGO in Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi
and Tanzania that is innovating a new way of helping farm families to achieve
their full potential. Instead of giving handouts, One Acre invests in
farmers to generate a permanent gain in farm income. We provide farmers with a
“market bundle” that includes education, finance, seed and
fertilizer, and market access. Our program is proven impactful – every year, we
weigh thousands of harvests and measure more than 100% average gain in farm
income per acre. We have laser-like focus on generating better lives for the
people that we serve.
We are growing
quickly. In seven years, we have grown to serve 135,000 farm families with more
than 1400 full-time field staff. Our approach has won widespread validation, winning
grants from the highly competitive Echoing Green and Skoll Foundations, and the
global Financial Times/ IFC award for “basic needs financing” in 2010
and 2011. Website: www.oneacrefund.org
Job Description
One Acre Fund is a
rapidly-growing organization, and increasingly needs operational support for
that growth. We are looking for someone to expand operational support across
our East Africa OAF programs. Under the direct mentorship of the CEO, you will
set a vision and direction for Corporate Operations and work with Corporate
Operations Associates in each region to deliver that vision. Essentially, we
are looking for someone to build and manage an amazing team of talented people
across East Africa.
Corporate Operations
encompasses all program support functions; this includes construction
infrastructure, vehicles and transport, external relations and visitor
logistics, security, health and safety, emergency procedures, property
management, working culture and values, staff onboarding. Currently the
Corporate Operations team consists of 3 international staff and 30+ local staff
in three countries. In the next two three years your team will grow to 10+
international staff and 100+ local staff in 6-7 countries – you will
essentially be running your own service-provision company within OAF.
You will go through
a three-month training period in our HQ in Western Kenya, before taking on
management of Corporate Operations Associates in Kenya and Rwanda. After this
initial training period you will be able to choose your location (remain at our
HQ in Western, or relocate to Nairobi/Kigali) depending on your preference.
Corporate
Operations Manager (East Africa) Duties and Responsibilities:
- Regional
department development/creation: You will be responsible
for developing, and in some cases creating, Corporate Operations
departments in our new branches in East Africa. This will involve systems,
processes and staff development in various regions including Kenya, Rwanda,
Tanzania, Burundi, Ethiopia. - Regional
management (systems) You will be responsible for
creating, maintaining and improving operational systems across our
branches in East Africa. You will tailor the operational support to the
various regions and to the nature of the program and staff in those areas.
- Regional
management (staff) You will establish and train
strong teams to build operational capacity, including hiring, training and
managing Corporate Operations Associates in our branches across East Africa.
You will be responsible for mentoring your team to ensure their
professional development. - Regional
department co-ordination: You will ensure that there is
co-ordination and co-operation amongst Corporate Operations Associates in
each OAF site to ensure the best allocation of resources and develop
positive professional culture within your team.
Possible
promotion to Corporate Operations Director (multinational) with exceptional
performance:
- One
Acre Fund will grow to 10-15 times its current size in the next eight
years. Every large organization eventually relies on a strong Operations
Director, managing dozens of staff worldwide. This is one of the most
important positions within the entire organization and there is literally
unlimited scope for this role. We are looking for someone with the talent,
attitude and skill to perform this crucial function.
Qualifications
This is an important
role within the organization with huge opportunity for impact. The ideal
candidate will be able to build and develop processes, systems and teams
simultaneously in multiple sites across East Africa. We are seeking exceptional
professionals with 2 to 5+ years of work experience, and a demonstrated
long-term passion for international development. They will serve in a career-track
position that combines both field and management experience. This is a
competitive posting for a career-track role with minimum initial commitment of
two years. Candidates who fit the following criteria are strongly encouraged to
apply:
- Strong
work experiences. Examples include a demanding professional work
experience, or successful entrepreneurial experience (e.g. starting a
field program, leading a conference, starting a business, solid Peace
Corps accomplishments). - Leadership
experience at work, or outside of work. - Very
Strong self-manager, very well-organized. After an initial period of heavy
mentorship, supervision will consist of one weekly check-in. We need
someone who is very well-organized and can manage their work
independently. - At
least 2 years of management experience and/or experience building and
developing teams is highly desirable. - Prior
administration/operations experience is ideal, but mostly we are looking
for a smart generalist with fantastic people skills. - Humility
and personal stability. We have a fantastic and likeable team who don’t
have egos or drama. We are looking for passionate professionals that
combine strong leadership skills with good humor, patience, and a humble
approach to service - A
willingness to commit to living in rural areas of East Africa for at least
two years – this is a long-term, career-track role. - Language:
English required, Swahili and/or French nice-to-have - Ability
to cook/laugh – desirable.
Preferred
Start Date:
Flexible
Location: Initial three-month training
period in our HQ in Western Kenya. Thereafter, you will be able to choose your
location (remain at our HQ in Western, or relocate to Nairobi/Kigali) depending
on your preference.
Compensation: Starts modestly. However,
this is a career-track role with fast raises for performance, paying a
meaningful salary for long-term placement in developing nations.
Benefits: Health cover, immunizations,
flight, room and board.
Career
Development:
Twice annual management consulting-style career reviews, and constant feedback.
Your manager will invest significant time in your career development.
Sponsor
International Candidates:
Yes
How
to apply
To Apply
- Complete
this form. - Email
cover letter and resume to jobs@oneacrefund.org
(Subject line: “Corporate Operations Manager Search” + name of
the site that referred you). - If you
are a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (RPCV), please submit a copy of your
Description of Service (DOS).
