Impact Division Chief of Staff (Manager) – One Acre Fund

The Chief of Staff will report to the Global Director of the Impact Division.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate Implementation of Impact Strategy
  • Lead annual impact goal-setting, aligned with our long-term impact strategy.
  • Track progress against the impact strategy, annual goals, interim milestones, and other organizational indicators.
  • Coordination across Impact Division: Ensure fluid collaboration between technical support teams and operational teams through clear work planning and frequent communication.
• Increase the reach of Impact leadership:
  • Support Impact Director to free up 20% of time to focus on what’s most important.
  • Conduct regular prioritization reviews with division leadership to ensure we’re focused on the right areas.
  • Represent Impact Director internally in cross-department meetings or projects.  Be a “whip” to prepare for meetings or move complex projects forward.
  • Represent Impact Director externally by following up on partnerships and early stage opportunities.
  • Take on direct management responsibilities from division leadership, as appropriate.
  • Prepare work deliverables (email/memo drafts, concept notes, slide-decks, research).
• Lead strategic Initiatives
  • Lead high-priority research or operational initiatives. Specific projects will depend on your background and interests, organizational priorities, team bandwidth, and timing.
  • For example, you may: lead an impact-focused internal campaign; research a new technology or partnership; launch team-building and culture initiatives; improve impact communications or Q&A forums; temporarily fill critical leadership gaps; support recruitment and onboarding.

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, we are seeking an impact-oriented professional with 6+ years of relevant work experience, with at least 2 years of experience in management roles that required strategic leadership experience. Candidates who fit the following criteria are encouraged to apply:

• Passion for enabling others to succeed
  • Genuine passion for sustainably improving farmer livelihoods.
  • Motivated by helping others.  This role isn’t about individual achievements but about supporting teams across One Acre Fund to achieve our common mission.
• Ag/Development Research Skillset
  • University (or higher) degree in Agriculture or a related field (e.g. Ecology, Environmental Science).
  • Proficiency in Excel (maintaining complex spreadsheets) required. Experience with study design and analysis preferred.
  • Enthusiasm for learning and an openness to new ideas.
• Collaborative Leadership
  • Proficient in understanding the motivations and capacities of people from diverse backgrounds to bring them together to collaborate effectively.
  • Exceptional verbal and written communication across a wide range of audiences – from non-technically-trained colleagues to external experts.
  • Demonstrated leadership experience, whether at work or outside of formal employment.
• Productivity
  • Demonstrated project management skills and an ability to move multiple complex projects towards concrete outcomes.
  • Systematic thinker, able to track dozens of diverse tasks and initiatives.
  • Insistence on high quality outputs, practical design, and efficiency.
• Other requirements
  • English required.  Swahili, Kinyarwanda, Kirundi, or French a plus.
  • Willingness to travel within East Africa