Zambia Field Operations & Performance Specialist (Fixed-Term)

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