One Acre Fund, established in 2006, is an international non-profit organization that works directly with smallholder farmers to promote agricultural productivity and economic growth. With operations spanning nine countries across Africa, One Acre Fund has become a trusted partner to millions of farming households, offering access to improved farm supplies, training, financing, and agronomic support.
Through its model, the organization empowers farmers to increase their harvests, incomes, and long-term resilience. By blending operational expertise with tailored agricultural services, One Acre Fund continues to unlock opportunities for smallholder farmers who form the backbone of the continent’s food security.
As part of its expanding portfolio, One Acre Fund is recruiting for a Tupande Market Access Extension and Aggregation Specialist within the dried fruit value chain. This role is central to driving farmer engagement, improving sourcing operations, and ensuring the aggregation of high-quality dried fruit. The position is a fixed-term engagement located in Sagana, Kenya, and presents a unique opportunity for professionals passionate about agriculture, farmer empowerment, and sustainable market systems.
About the Role
The Extension and Aggregation Specialist will serve as the operational lead in ensuring smooth sourcing, coordination, and farmer productivity support in the dried fruit value chain. The role is critical in connecting smallholder farmers with structured market opportunities by overseeing aggregation calendars, facilitating alignment among field teams, and applying data-driven insights to guide operations.
The specialist will not only ensure the achievement of sourcing targets but also contribute to farmer growth through training, planting coordination, and the implementation of incentive schemes that boost both volume and quality of produce. Reporting directly to the Dried Fruit Value Chain Associate, this role will provide strategic and operational support across the sourcing chain and field activities.
This position is hybrid in nature, with responsibilities divided between office-based planning and field-level execution. A significant amount of time will be spent engaging with rural farmers and field teams, requiring a proactive and flexible professional.
Detailed Job Description
Key Responsibilities
- Performance Tracking and Reporting
The specialist will be responsible for monitoring daily and weekly performance across sourcing operations. By utilizing dashboards and KPI trackers, the role ensures that sourcing targets remain on schedule. This includes proactive identification of potential bottlenecks, analysis of operational gaps, and timely escalation of solutions. Regular reports and visual dashboards will be prepared for both field teams and leadership to provide actionable insights, guiding informed decision-making across the value chain. - Sourcing Oversight and Quality Assurance
Ensuring that sourcing operations consistently meet established standards is central to this role. The specialist will oversee sourcing to align with both volume and quality benchmarks. Compliance with food safety and certification standards such as FSSC 22000, GlobalGAP, and RA will be integral to this responsibility. The role will further involve direct coordination with aggregation points to ensure consistency, timeliness, and adherence to quality parameters in the dried fruit supply chain. - Farmer Training and Capacity Building
To drive farmer productivity, the specialist will design and deliver training sessions on modern agronomic practices. These sessions will focus on planting techniques, crop care, post-harvest handling, and productivity-enhancing methods tailored to tree crop production. The role also includes the design and testing of loyalty and incentive schemes that motivate farmers to increase their yields, retain long-term partnerships with One Acre Fund, and maintain a high standard of produce. - Mapping and Data Management
Accurate data collection and analysis are essential for tracking farmer performance and expansion. The specialist will map plantations, monitor farmer growth trajectories, and assess data related to productivity and retention. Insights gathered from these activities will inform targeted interventions to bridge productivity gaps and optimize farmer support programs. - Targeted Interventions and Problem-Solving
A key function of this position is the ability to identify productivity gaps and implement corrective actions. Whether addressing issues in planting schedules, sourcing logistics, or post-harvest quality, the specialist will be expected to design and execute interventions that ensure operational continuity and efficiency. The role will require flexibility in approach, working closely with field teams to test solutions, adapt strategies, and refine practices based on outcomes.
Career Growth and Development
One Acre Fund has embedded professional development into its organizational culture. Staff members benefit from regular feedback, mentorship, and learning opportunities. For this role, the specialist will have structured check-ins with supervisors, access to training programs, and semi-annual career reviews to align professional growth with organizational goals.
Through this support, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to contribute to shaping an expanding initiative within One Acre Fund, while also building a long-term career in agricultural development and market access.
Job Location
The position is based in Sagana, Kenya. It is hybrid in structure, balancing office responsibilities with significant fieldwork (approximately 60–70 percent).
Contract Duration
The role is a two-year fixed-term contract, with the possibility of renewal based on performance and organizational needs.
Compensation and Benefits
The position comes with competitive benefits, including health insurance and paid time off.
Eligibility
This opportunity is open exclusively to citizens or permanent residents of Kenya.
Application Process
Applications for this role are open until 13 November 2025. One Acre Fund follows a rolling recruitment process, which means applications will be reviewed and processed continuously until a suitable candidate is hired.
Applicants should note that One Acre Fund does not request any form of payment at any stage of the hiring process. Official communication will only be sent through addresses ending in @oneacrefund.org. Any suspicious activity should be reported to the organization’s official hotline at [email protected], although applications and related materials should not be sent to this email.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
One Acre Fund is committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion within its workforce. The organization strives to maintain a workplace where all individuals are valued, respected, and empowered to thrive, regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, nationality, age, disability, gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation.
As an equal opportunity employer, One Acre Fund ensures that recruitment, promotions, and career development are guided by principles of fairness and inclusivity. This extends to building an organizational culture that reflects its mission and serves the best interests of farmers across Africa.
Application Deadline
13 November 2025
Conclusion
The Tupande Market Access Extension and Aggregation Specialist role within the dried fruit value chain presents an exciting opportunity for professionals with expertise in operations, agribusiness, and farmer engagement. With a focus on supporting smallholder farmers to access structured markets, the position is both impactful and career-enhancing.
Candidates with the required experience and motivation are encouraged to submit their applications before the deadline.
