We are seeking a smart and impact-driven field research professional to be the Product Innovations Manager in Muramvya, Burundi. Impact is our guiding principle at One Acre Fund and we work to continually grow the impact of our program for farmers. This role offers substantial room for growth and significant opportunities to contribute to country and program strategy.
This role will lead the Product Innovations Department in designing, launching, and measuring the success of a portfolio of new products and services that aim to increase the profit and well-being of our members. They will manage a team of field staff to test new innovations and ensure they provide proven benefits for our farmers. The potential portfolio is broad, and includes both agricultural and non-agricultural interventions. In this role you might simultaneously test a new type of solar light, an improved nutrition training, and farmer acceptability of a new variety of maize seed – it’s up to you to decide what will bring the greatest impact for smallholder farmers.
The Product Innovations Manager will also be involved in setting the impact strategy for the Burundi program, and exploring ambitious new ways to integrate market access, commercialization, and behavior change into our work. This is an exciting opportunity to fully link increased agricultural production with market access and other services that can substantially raise the wellbeing of smallholder farmers and help them lift themselves out of poverty.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Set Vision & Strategy
- Set and execute a long-term vision for providing new and improved products and services to over 93,000 Burundian farmers and growing
- Set annual Impact Division Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) to ensure that the division delivers high impact, high value results on time.
- Hold the Burundi program accountable for meeting our commitments to farmers – impactful products and evidence-based agricultural training.
Research and Trial Management
- Build a long-term research plan and calendar and hold the Impact division accountable for execution
- Identify the necessary research questions to assess the potential impact and feasibility of scaling up a product or service
- Stay current on findings from research institutes, government agencies, nonprofits and other One Acre Fund countries to maintain a rich pipeline of potential interventions
- Design trials that answer key research questions rigorously and efficiently
- Plan interviews and focus groups to understand farmers needs and prototype possible interventions
- Work closely with the Monitoring and Evaluation team to measure the impact of our work at scale
Project Management and Collaboration
- Coordinate with other departments to ensure products are ordered on time and create plans for distribution to farmers
- Work closely with Field teams to ensure trial results and recommendations are understood and acted upon.
- Work with our Agriculture Training team to develop trainings for new crops, practices and products
- Update leadership and other departments on research plans and timelines for product and services roll-out at scale
- Maintain relationships with government authorities to keep them informed of our upcoming trials and products
- Evaluate hurdles and risks involved with new projects (both internal and external) and address them via excellent communication, coordination and tracking mechanisms
- If a trial is successful, build out a detailed execution plan that can be handed off to other departments to achieve scale
People Management
- Directly manage two high-level researchers, and indirectly manage a field team of enumerators and a research station team
- Constantly reassess the critical path of your team and allocate resources accordingly.
- Ensure everyone—from your direct reports to the newest enumerator in our program—is mentored, challenged, and supported by the organization. This can include, but is not limited to, regular performance reviews, active development plans, stretch projects and weekly check-ins providing actionable and constructive feedback.
QUALIFICATIONS
We are seeking an impact-driven professional with experience in setting strategy and leading a team to concrete results. The ideal candidate has designed and executed new projects or initiatives in agriculture or related domains, such as nutrition, health, or rural development. Ability to conduct research through a range of approaches, including focus groups, surveys, and randomized control trials is critical to success in this role. Other criteria are:
- A mission-driven individual that can align 100% with One Acre Funds values in putting farmers first
- 3+ years of relevant work experience in International development, NGO, or Agricultural work – preferably in East Africa.
- Academic or professional experience designing and implementing programs, preferably in a rural development context
- Strong quantitative skills and experience with statistical software (Excel required; R preferred)
- University degree required. Masters or PhD in Agriculture, International Relations, Public Policy, Statistics or related field preferred, but not required
- Ability to lead a team in setting a vision, annual strategy, and short-term tasks and hold everyone accountable to them.
- Language – English required, French strongly preferred, Kirundi desirable
- A willingness to commit to living in East Africa for at least two years – this is a long–term, career–track role.
- Burundians are strongly encouraged to apply, but the post is also open to candidates from other nationalities.
COMPETENCIES
- Humility and a combination of strong leadership skills, good humor, and patience
- Ability to set objectives and achieve them
- Ability to clearly and concisely communicate
- Ability to autonomously solve complex problems
- Organized and attentive to details
CAREER GROWTH & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
One Acre Fund invests in building management and leadership skills. Your manager and a global support team will commit significant time in your career development. We provide constant, actionable feedback delivered through mentorship and through regular management consulting-style career reviews. We also have regular one-on-one meetings, where we listen to and discuss career goals, and work collaboratively to craft roles that each person can be passionate about.
With strong performance, this role has the potential to participate in cross-country projects and because of our rapid growth, we constantly have new high-level roles opening up and opportunities in many functions.
COMPENSATION
Commensurate with experience
BENEFITS
Health insurance, immunizations, flight, room, and board.
SPONSOR INTERNATIONAL CANDIDATES
Yes. Burundian candidates are strongly encouraged to apply
** One Acre Fund- TUBURA does not tolerate any form of corruption.
More Information
- Job City Muramvya
