Deadline: 27 July 2022

One-Acre Fund (OAF) is looking for Horticulture Systems and Venture Building Associate for laying the groundwork, and operationalizing OAF initiatives in cold-chain development and horticultural certification.

This position will be based in Rwanda. One-Acre Fund can support a work permit for this role. However, nationals of (or those with an extensive professional background and work history in) OAF countries of operation are preferred

I. Responsibilities

Cold-chain strategy development

• Develop cold room business model options
• Develop models for scale for internal and external use
• Conduct market analysis
• Develop business model
• Make strategic recommendations on best approach
• Packhouse business development
• Assure alignment with required certifications and quality criteria
• Conduct market analysis
• Develop business model for packhouse revenue
• Farm-gate to sea-freight logistics
• Establish farm-level and district-level cooling needs at scale
• Research creative solutions to farm and district level cooling
• Research options for container shipments by sea ports
• Develop whole cold-chain value model

Certification Development

• Put together complete requirements for certifications (Global GAP, Organic, Fair Trade, SMETA, HACCP, etc)
• Design quality and risk management systems
• Understand requirements
• Develop centralized processes for cold room storage and packhouse
• Develop processes for farmers
• Integrate systems to available software and internalize to OAF
• Research best available tools for building systems at scale
• Build workflows for field level execution
• Hire and train internal auditing team
• If required, partner with external consultant to support in audit team development
• Training
• Create and conduct HQ level training
• Create and conduct ToT farm level training
• Research and hire certification bodies for external audits
• Develop and run certification trials
• Create work plans and budgets for scale

II. Qualifications

• At least 4 years experience in postharvest cold chain operations
• Experience in project management: from design, to milestone tracking
• Understanding of global food standards in supply chains
• At least 2 years of people and project management experience focused on strategy or trial execution. Someone able to full own projects, and really guide projects forward independently
• Strong business acumen, able to develop business plans, financial models and conducting market analysis
• Ability to conduct research via multiple sources including third party outreach and a keen sense for detail
• Logical thinker and comfortable with analysis. We require someone who can consider multiple complex factors in making decisions
• Experienced team leader, can train and developing small teams.
• Experience or qualifications in food quality and safety.
• A background in agriculture
• Fluency in English is required. Fluency in Kinyarwanda is not required, but an added advantage.

III. Benefits

• OAF has a strong culture of constant learning and they invest in developing its people. You’ll have weekly check-ins with your manager, access to mentorship and training programs, and regular feedback on your performance.
• OAF holds 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.
• Health insurance, paid time off 

IV. How to Apply?

To apply and find more information, please click HERE