Agronomy Specialist at One Acre Fund

About The Role

• Seeking an exceptional Agronomy researcher with 3-5+ years of experience creating impactful solutions to join our team to increase our impact per farmer by recommending products that can improve resilience and livelihood of farming households.

Responsibilities
Research

• Literature reviews, rapid evidence assessments, expert consultation etc. to identify impactful agricultural innovations

Trial Design and Management

• Design efficient on-station (Phase 1) and on-farm (Phase 2) trials with global team members to generate rigorous data and insights needed to inform program decision making.
• Lead all required operational steps for successful trial planning and execution, including site selection, input calculation, ordering and distribution.
• Develop trial activity and data collection protocols to guide and ensure high standards of trial execution and data collection (this may include the development of mobile data collection surveys).
• Prepare and manage a trial pipeline according to available trial capacities.
• Ensure the trial team (i.e. officers, managers and coordinators) is efficiently and continuously trained to ensure high quality trial execution.
• Ensure high quality data collection and trouble-shoot trial execution when needed.
• Conduct regular field visits.
• Implement continual improvements in trial management and coordination based on lessons-learned.

Data Analysis and Reporting

• Use statistical softwares like STATA or R to analyze trial data with moderate support of department leadership.
• Use trial data to prepare impact models and provide actionable recommendations for program decision-makers.

Team Management and Capacity Building

• Lead weekly check-ins for field staff to discuss challenges, support task prioritization and monitor their key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Draft professional development plans and facilitate bi-annual performance reviews.
• Conduct unbiased hiring and management of team.
• Liaise independently with external departments within One Acre Fund on efficient trial planning and execution.

Qualifications

• A minimum of Bachelor's Degree or equivalent in the field of Agriculture, Rural Livelihood or any relevant field (mandatory), a Master’s Degree is preferred.
• Proficient in data analysis with experience using STATA, R or any other relevant statistical software.
• 3-5 years of practical experience working in Project Management is required, previous experience in Agricultural Research is a plus.
• Proven ability to teach/mentor others.
• Fluency in Microsoft Packages like Powerpoint, Excel and Word.
• Willingness to live and work in rural areas close to our farmers.
• Willingness to frequently travel to trial sites across our area of operation.