Zambia Field Operations & Performance Specialist (Fixed-Term)

One Acre Fund is a nonprofit organization that supplies smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa with the farm inputs, financing, training, and market access they need to grow more food and earn more income. Operating across nine countries including Kenya, Rwanda, Nigeria, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Uganda, Burundi, Ethiopia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, the organization works with millions of farming families who rely on small, rain-fed plots of land as their primary source of livelihood. By delivering quality seeds, fertilizer, and agricultural services directly to rural farmers, One Acre Fund reports helping clients achieve approximately 45% more farm income on the same land area. One Acre Fund's sustainability and climate mission is embedded throughout its programs. The organization focuses on climate adaptation and mitigation strategies, including agroforestry and tree-planting initiatives, financing and insurance products to help farmers weather climate-related shocks, and innovation in climate-resilient agricultural practices. These efforts are designed to strengthen the long-term resilience of smallholder farmers who are among the most vulnerable to the effects of climate change, while also contributing to carbon sequestration and reduced agricultural emissions across the continent. What distinguishes One Acre Fund is its last-mile delivery model, which brings bundled services directly to farmers in remote rural areas, combined with a rigorous impact measurement methodology including social return on investment analysis. The organization also prioritizes gender-smart agriculture, with women comprising more than 50% of its client base, and maintains a strong commitment to evidence-based programming and transparent reporting on outcomes.

About One Acre Fund

Founded in 2006, One Acre Fund equips 5.5 million smallholder farmers to make their farms more productive. Across nine countries that together are home to two-thirds of Africa's farmers, we provide high-quality farm supplies, tree seedlings, accessible credit, modern agronomic training, and a wide range of other agricultural services. On average, this model enables any farmer to increase their income and assets on supported land by more than 35 percent, while permanently improving their resilience. This is all made possible by our team of 9,000+ full-time staff, drawn from diverse backgrounds and professions. To learn more, please see our Why Work Here blog post.

In Zambia, from our hub in Kabwe, we run a specialised climate-smart input and agroforestry program to address challenges such as irregular rainfall and soil degradation. By partnering with local Tree Nursery Operators, we raise and distribute agroforestry trees that enrich soils and build long-term financial resilience. Supported by a structured frontline field team across Central and Southern Provinces, we use rigorous, data-driven frameworks to measure our impact and ensure we drive meaningful improvements in farmer yields, asset accumulation, and food security.

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced, analytical, and resilient Field Operations Specialist to lead and expand our rural field operations. You will act as the key link between field leadership and headquarters, improving performance mainly through the Field Director (FD) layer while working closely with Field Officers (FOs) and Group Leaders.

The ideal candidate can turn complex field data into clear, targeted operational strategies, manage teams effectively under tight deadlines, and design community leadership frameworks that can grow with the programme. You will also lead with strong emotional intelligence, especially in demanding and remote environments.

Responsibilities

Field Performance Management & FD Leadership 

• Lead field performance through field directors, ensuring teams deliver against key programme targets, including farmer adoption, tree survival and growth, repayment, and customer service
• Use field performance data to identify gaps, diagnose root causes and drive timely corrective action.
• Regularly engage with field teams and visit sites to validate performance, coach teams and address operational challenges.

Field HR Coordination & Risk Oversight

• Oversee key field staff processes, including onboarding, staff movements, performance management, disciplinary processes and payroll coordination.
• Provide leadership during urgent field staff and operational issues, including staff exits, fraud cases and other high risk incidents.
• Ensure field staff processes, incidents and risks are appropriately documented and managed in line with organisational policies.

Group Leader Management System

• Develop and continuously improve a strong, consistent Group Leader system across field sites.
• Establish clear approaches to Group Leader selection, onboarding, performance management, coaching and incentives.
• Strengthen accountability within groups and ensure underperforming Group Leaders and groups are appropriately supported or managed.

Training, Coaching & Staff Development

• Build the capabilities of Field Directors and field officers through structured training, coaching and mentorship.
• Strengthen communication and feedback between field teams and HQ, ensuring field realities inform programme decisions.
• Develop a strong talent pipeline and support the progression of high-performing field staff into future leadership roles.

Operational Prioritisation & Execution

• Lead the effective execution of multiple field priorities, balancing programme performance, people needs, operational risks and organisational deadlines.
• Ensure teams are focused on the highest-priority activities and that responsibilities are appropriately delegated while maintaining accountability for results.
• Identify opportunities to improve field systems, processes and ways of working as the programme grows.

Career Growth and Development

We have a strong culture of constant learning and we invest in developing our people. You’ll have weekly check-ins with your manager, access to mentorship and training programs, and regular feedback on your performance. We hold career reviews every six months, and set aside time to discuss your aspirations and career goals. You’ll have the opportunity to shape a growing organization and build a rewarding long-term career.

Qualifications

Across all roles, these are the general qualifications we look for. For this role specifically, you will have:

• 3 to 5+ years leading and growing multi-layered field teams (extension agents) in agriculture, rural development, or social enterprise.
• Demonstrated ability to analyse quantitative operational metrics (adoption rates, loan repayment percentages, yield impact) and translate insights into immediate field action plans.
• Proven track record of operating effectively across expansive, remote geographical regions with limited network connectivity and challenging logistics.
• Experience building or improving systems, training materials, or community leadership models from scratch.
• Excellent communication, coaching, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills with a passion for team development.
• Deep commitment to serving smallholder farmers and living One Acre Fund’s values.
• Bachelor's degree in related fields.

Preferred Start Date

As soon as possible

Job Location

Kabwe, Zambia

Benefits

Health insurance, paid time off 

Contract Duration

1 year

Eligibility

This role is only open to citizens or permanent residents of Zambia.

Application Deadline

30 December 2026. Please note that we hire on a rolling basis which means that applications are reviewed and processed on a continuous basis until a hire is made.

One Acre Fund never asks candidates to pay any money or pay for tests at any stage of the interview process. Official One Acre Fund emails will always arrive from an @oneacrefund.org address. Please report any suspicious communication here ([email protected]), but do not send applications or application materials to this email address.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (DEI), and anti-racism are deeply connected to our organization’s mission and purpose. One Acre Fund aspires to build a culture where all staff feel consistently valued, represented, and connected – so that our team can thrive as professionals, and achieve exceptional impact for the farmers we serve.

We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender, gender identity or expression. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.