Sustainable Agriculture Innovation Lead

The Sustainable Agriculture Innovation Lead will accelerate One Acre Fund’s transition away from imported synthetic fertilizers to more local and sustainable crop nutrition systems. This cross-functional role involves building and maintaining a database of alternatives to synthetic fertilizers, conducting market scans through desk research, key informant interviews, and supplier conversations, and creating a prioritization framework based on cost, yield impact, profitability, and feasibility. The role requires developing a multi-year R&D strategy, designing trials, and translating strategy into actionable plans while engaging with stakeholders across agricultural research, government relations, supplier engagement, and supply chain. Responsibilities include supporting trial design and analysis, refining supplier products to meet smallholder farmer needs, and advocating for policy changes to promote viable alternative products. The role reports to the Impact and R&D Division but collaborates closely with Supply Chain, Government Relations, and Field Operations teams.

Relevant academic background in Agronomy, Soil Science, Plant Nutrition, Microbiology, Agroecology, or a related field; experience developing and/or managing farm system transition pathways; familiarity with sustainable plant nutrition and soil science, including biological solutions and soil science advances; experience with agricultural research, experimental design, analysis, and interpretation of results; strong project management skills and experience leading complex initiatives with diverse stakeholders; experience navigating agricultural regulatory or product registration pathways in Sub-Saharan Africa is a plus.