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.

About the Role

The Global Safety Nets and Microinsurance Senior Associate is a high-agility role responsible for the end-to-end design, piloting, and initial setup of household microinsurance and safety net products. This role bridges the gap between high-level strategy and ground-level execution, conducting field research, managing external partners, and leading pilots during the critical innovation phase.

Responsibilities

• Lead Market Entry & Opportunity Scoping
• Conduct deep-dive market assessments and farmer needs analyses to evaluate the viability of microinsurance and safety net interventions in new markets.
• Identify high-impact opportunities and define entry strategies for pre-scale programs.
• Drive Product Innovation & Design
• Lead end-to-end design of innovative financial protection products, translating complex risk and insurance concepts into simple, farmer-centric solutions.
• Rapidly prototype, test, and iterate products based on field insights and user feedback.
• Own Pilot Execution & Program Delivery
• Serve as project lead for country-level pilots, managing the full lifecycle from design to implementation and evaluation.
• Collaborate with country leadership to ensure alignment, execution excellence, and readiness for scale.
• Build Strategic Partnerships & Delivery Models
• Identify, negotiate, and manage partnerships with insurers, InsurTechs, NGOs, and other service providers.
• Design operational models and delivery structures that enable scalable, cost-effective program implementation.
• Develop Playbooks, Teams & Pathways to Scale
• Build operational playbooks, tools, and training materials to transition pilots into scalable programs.
• Manage and mentor junior team members while strengthening in-country team capability.
• Capture insights and shape global strategy for microinsurance and safety net programming.

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:

• 3–5 years of professional experience in a similar role, preferably consulting, startup, or international development.       
• Strong problem-solving mindset with experience building or launching new products, programs, or ventures.
• Comfortable working in ambiguity and driving progress in early-stage or unstructured environments.
• Demonstrated ability to lead projects end-to-end and deliver results in cross-functional, global environments.
• Strong analytical skills with proficiency in Excel; ability to translate data into actionable insights.
• Experience managing or mentoring team members is an advantage.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Economics, Development, Business, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• Fluency in English required; French or Swahili is a strong advantage.

Preferred Start Date

As soon as possible

Job Location

Nairobi, Kenya or Kigali, Rwanda

Benefits

Health insurance, housing, and comprehensive benefits

Contract Duration

2 years

Eligibility

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) our countries of operation are preferred.

Application Deadline

25 June 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 (globalhotline@oneacrefund.org), 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.

Do you possess a deep passion for entrepreneurship? Does the prospect of supporting innovative startups  excite you? Have you designed or run a tech startup program before? Are you comfortable building or maintaining partnerships with forward-thinking corporates? Are you ready to plan and host pitch events and demo days? Are you adept at juggling multiple priorities? Would you describe yourself as a highly structured individual with fast learning abilities? Are you a systems thinker and experienced in building systems and processes to support the growth of an ecosystem?

Well, this might just be the job for you!

ABOUT US

ALX Africa, a non-profit organisation under the ALX Foundation, is dedicated to unlocking the potential of Africa's digital future. Formerly part of Sand Tech Holdings, we've embarked on an independent journey to provide world-class tech skills training and career acceleration programmes. Our mission is to bridge the digital divide, upskill and reskill talent, and create a generation of innovative leaders. By 2030, we aim to empower 2 million Africans to secure sustainable tech careers.

With hubs in 8 cities across Africa and counting, we provide safe access to quality learning and a dedicated network of expert instructors. Our innovative programmes equip learners with the practical skills and knowledge needed to succeed in today's rapidly evolving tech industry. Through a combination of rigorous coursework, industry partnerships, and hands-on projects, we prepare our students for in-demand roles in software engineering, data science, and cybersecurity.

We achieve this by:

• Providing young professionals with access to the most in-demand tech skills that will power the future.
• Empowering the next generation of technology innovators, entrepreneurs, and business leaders through challenging, real-world coursework.
• Building a lifelong, impactful community of tech professionals that support them at all stages of their career journey. 

Our impact thus far:

• 205k+ learners since 2021
• 117k youth in work
• 13k youth starting own ventures
• 66k youth in jobs through entrepreneurship

 Visit our website www.alxafrica.com to learn more about our digital revolution.

ABOUT THE CITY TEAM

Do you enjoy creating something out of nothing? The City Teams are startups within a larger startup. Each City Team is like a standalone business that is blazing a new path for ALX, but is supported by the history, reputation and global network of ALX’s wider ecosystem of companies and initiatives. In pursuit of our mission, we encourage autonomy, creativity, and experimentation. We embrace risks and failure. We seek those that have a beginners’ mindset, are lifelong learners, thrive in uncertain circumstances and uncharted territory, and have a deep passion for youth engagement.

ROLE OVERVIEW

The Entrepreneurship Development Manager will be instrumental in nurturing and expanding the entrepreneurial ecosystem within the country market. This dynamic role offers a unique opportunity to drive both operational excellence and strategic vision as a core member of a City Team. The Manager will report directly to the City General Manager for day-to-day operational leadership and program implementation, while also maintaining a strategic reporting line to the Entrepreneurship Director to ensure alignment with our global entrepreneurial efforts, in particular with our flagship ALX Ventures program. In this capacity, the Manager will integrate practices and perspectives from both city-specific and global contexts to advance our collective mission.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as the primary champion for entrepreneurship within the country market, innovating and executing strategies to foster entrepreneurial initiatives within the ALX community.
• Host monthly in-person fireside chats with local entrepreneurs and investors to bolster community engagement.
• Organize and oversee quarterly in-person events such demo day and product launch events at ALX Tech Hubs to highlight promising startups from our Incubator and Accelerator programs to the local investment community.
• Manage and execute weekly entrepreneurship-related events, such as pitch competitions, hackathons, meetups and networking events, enhancing our brand’s local presence.
• Ensure high levels of compliance for self-reporting and quarterly updates by entrepreneurs, maintaining a high standard of accountability and progress tracking.
• Position ALX Ventures prominently within the local ecosystem as the premier hub for innovative startups and entrepreneurs, including securing recognitions, awards and grants where eligible.
• Supervise and mentor community-led entrepreneurial initiatives, ensuring they are in line with our global strategy.
• Engage in planning activities and retrospective assessment to foster continuous learning and improvement of our programs.

PROGRAM SPECIFIC DUTIES

Founder Academy

• Lead recruitment, outreach, and enrollment efforts in collaboration with the central Entrepreneurship team to meet and exceed local market targets.
• Facilitate a smooth registration and onboarding process for new entrepreneurs, ensuring an engaging learner experience from day one.
• Host weekly office hours and community sessions to provide ongoing guidance and accountability to founders.
• Deliver timely, constructive feedback on assignments and pitch submissions, fostering a culture of excellence, iteration, and resilience.
• Identify high-performing entrepreneurs for advanced support, including incubation and investment-readiness opportunities.

Incubator Program

• Work closely with the ALX Ventures Incubator central team to deliver quarterly program goals and ensure alignment with regional entrepreneurship strategies.
• Screen, select, and onboard potential candidates from the Founder Academy graduates into the Incubator program, balancing both virtual and in-person delivery formats.
• Facilitate high-impact workshops, peer learning sessions, and milestone reviews that guide founders from prototype to market launch.
• Connect startups to tailored support such as intern placements, advisors, industry mentors, and investors.
• Organize Demo Days and local Pitch Events to showcase startups, attract partners, and position ventures for growth and investment.
• Engage with local investment, innovation, and startup communities to foster collaboration and visibility for ALX ventures.
• Design and host Masterclasses featuring leading entrepreneurs, investors, and domain experts across diverse sectors.
• Curate and manage a pool of local mentors and advisors, matching them with startups based on stage, sector, and growth needs.
• Build partnerships with local entrepreneurship hubs, accelerators, and ecosystem actors to enhance resource sharing and opportunity pipelines.
• Support alumni founders in accessing follow-on support programs, markets, and funding.

Monitoring, Reporting & Continuous Improvement

• Track and analyze program performance metrics, including recruitment, completion, venture launches, and investment outcomes. 
• Generate periodic reports and insights for internal teams and external stakeholders. 
• Continuously refine program strategies based on learner feedback and market trends.

REQUIREMENTS 

• Minimum of 5 years’ professional experience in entrepreneurship operations, venture building, or program and project management, ideally within innovation hubs, accelerators, or startup ecosystems.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Entrepreneurship, Innovation, or a related field (Master’s degree is an advantage).
• Proven track record working with startups or entrepreneurial ventures, with hands-on experience in launching, scaling, or mentoring businesses. Previous experience as a founder or startup coach is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to design, implement, and evaluate entrepreneurship programs, demo days, masterclasses, and mentorship networks.
• Experience leading cross-functional or program delivery teams, managing multiple priorities, and collaborating effectively with central and regional stakeholders.
• Proven capacity to lead fundraising initiatives, develop and manage partnerships with investors, corporates, development partners, and government entities to advance entrepreneurship programs.
• Ecosystem Engagement: Deep understanding of the African entrepreneurship ecosystem, with an active network of startup mentors, ecosystem players, and investors.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking and presentation abilities; confident representing ALX to partners, investors, and founders.
• Strong planning, coordination, and execution skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects from concept to delivery.
• Adept at stakeholder engagement and partnership management, maintaining strong relationships across multiple levels and sectors.
• Highly flexible, self-motivated, and comfortable thriving in a fast-paced, evolving environment with minimal supervision.
• Open to feedback and continuous learning, applying insights to improve program design and delivery

This is a full-time, in-person role based in Kigali. Candidates are required to work from the ALX Hub daily as part of the Kigali City Team.
Applicants must have legal authorization to work in Rwanda.

Disclaimer: ALX Africa does not charge fees or request payments at any stage of hiring. Be cautious of anyone claiming otherwise. Report suspicious activity to hiring@alxafrica.com

ABOUT ALU

ALU provides higher education for a higher purpose. Our students declare missions, not majors. They develop the real-world skills to take on the world’s most pressing challenges. And they take ownership of their learning from day one through our peer and student-led approach – because ALU believes in the power and agency of young people to start shaping the future right now. Together with a world-class faculty and staff, our students are igniting a ripple of positive impact across Africa and the world.

We are dedicated to fostering an open yet secure environment, balancing the safety of students, staff, and visitors with respect for individual rights, and safeguarding responsibilities.

HOW WE WORK

The ALU Team works in starkly different ways to traditional academic bureaucracies. We approach education from first principles, empower individuals to design, test, and implement creative new ideas, and work closely together to craft transformative learning experiences. We are deeply passionate about our students and excited by the challenge of building something entirely new.

The African Leadership College of Higher Education team is committed to ensuring the safety and Well-being of all students under our care. As part of this commitment, we have a comprehensive safeguarding policy in place, which outlines our Zero-tolerance approach to any violation of safeguarding.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Vice Provost is a senior academic leader at ALU who works closely with the Provost and Chief Product Officer to shape and advance the University’s academic strategy. This role is central to ensuring that ALU’s programs remain globally competitive, industry-relevant, and anchored in academic quality, while also scaling innovation across the institution.

The Vice Provost represents ALU in high-profile higher education and industry forums, strengthening the University’s reputation, credibility, and influence within Africa and globally. While the core mandate is to drive academic excellence and program leadership, the role also steers ALU’s research and thought leadership agenda, connecting emerging ideas and scholarship with curriculum, pedagogy, and entrepreneurship.

This is a role for a visionary academic and strategist who thrives at the intersection of academia and innovation. The successful candidate will anchor academic credibility while pioneering new models of faculty, research, and knowledge creation, redefining how a 21st-century African university contributes to higher education, leadership, and innovation on the global stage.

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES

Academic Strategy  

• Drive integration of industry trends and global best practices into academic almanac, ensuring offerings remain relevant, competitive, and distinctive.
• Support with oversight of academic program quality, accreditation, and regulatory compliance, guaranteeing continuous improvement and excellence.
• Partner with Product and Delivery teams to ensure curriculum, pedagogy, and student experience achieve high impact.
• Champion academic innovation by embedding new approaches, technologies, and pedagogies into teaching and learning.
• Build and sustain strong relationships with accreditation bodies, regulators, and strategic partners to elevate academic credibility.

Thought Leadership & Research

• Coordinate applied research efforts that inform and enrich curriculum design, industry engagement, and student experience across the Institution.
• Facilitate collaboration with internal and external experts to develop research agendas linked to academic and institutional priorities.
• Act as a brand ambassador by representing ALU in conferences, forums, and public discourse, positioning the University as a thought leader.
• Identify and secure external funding opportunities to support research, academic initiatives, and strategic projects.
• Enhance the visibility and credibility of ALU through published research, events, and high-profile engagements.

Academic Program Leadership

• Provide strategic oversight in collaboration with Product and Design teams, for academic program execution across undergraduate, postgraduate, and executive education.
• Ensure pedagogy and methodology are consistently applied and evolve to maintain academic rigor and market relevance.
• Participate in and recommend ALU signature events and program-specific events that strengthen the institution’s reputation and student experience.
• Serve as faculty professor and teach courses aligned with expertise, contributing directly to student learning and academic excellence.

Faculty Leadership

• Promote the University and support the building of a strong pipeline of qualified faculty, aligned with the institution’s values and mission.
• Train and develop high-quality faculty with strong research and teaching capabilities.
• Provide mentorship and career development opportunities for the University’s faculty, across all programs.
• Evaluate postgraduate faculty performance and promote excellence in teaching, research, and thought leadership.

Program Leadership

• Drive and lead the concepts, strategies and operational success of specific units within the institution including Centre for Entrepreneurship, School of Business, Centre for Reimagine Africa.
• Lead the Business Development agenda, ensuring academic products and services are well-positioned in the marketplace and in entrepreneurship ecosystems.
• Serve as the Custodian of the Entrepreneurship Ethos, embedding entrepreneurial thinking across academic programs and institutional culture.
• Ensure Executive Education is designed and delivered at global standards, aligned with ALU’s strategy, and responsive to evolving leadership and industry needs. 

Success in this role will be measured by:

• Academic Strategy & Quality: Growth in ALU’s visibility, credibility, and global footprint in higher education, supported by strong accreditation outcomes and alignment with global best practice.
• Program Impact: Strength and quality of academic programs, reflected in rankings, enrolment, retention, completion rates, and student satisfaction.
• Executive Education Growth: Expansion of executive education offerings, measured through enrolment, revenue growth, participant impact, and repeat partnerships.
• Faculty Excellence: Advancement of faculty recruitment, development, and performance, ensuring a strong pipeline of qualified, innovative educators.
• Thought Leadership & Research: Tangible research outputs, recognition in industry and academia, and the development of high-value partnerships and funding opportunities.
• Entrepreneurship Ethos: Clear integration and visibility of entrepreneurial thinking across programs, student outcomes, and institutional reputation.

Ensure the safety and well-being of all young persons and vulnerable adults with whom we deal,  by adhering to ALU’s comprehensive safeguarding policy, maintaining a zero-tolerance approach to any violations of safeguarding standards. 

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Terminal degree (PhD, EdD, DBA, or equivalent) from a recognized institution, with specialization in business, education, or a closely related discipline.
• Extensive leadership experience (10+ years) in senior higher education roles, ideally including oversight of business schools, executive education, or centers of innovation/entrepreneurship.
• A proven track record in academic strategy, program leadership, and institutional development, preferably within an African or global university context with a strong business and leadership orientation.
• Recognized scholarly contributions, including publications, research outputs, and participation in international academic or industry forums.
• Demonstrated excellence in teaching, curriculum innovation, and pedagogy, with the ability to align academic programs to industry and societal needs.
• Strong expertise in business development and market positioning of academic products and services, including executive education.
• Proven ability to navigate complexity and lead across multiple stakeholders (faculty, students, regulators, funders, and industry partners) in a competitive higher education landscape.
• Exceptional strategic communication, stakeholder engagement, and networking skills, with the ability to represent the institution globally.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

• Academic Excellence: Deep commitment to fostering world-class postgraduate education and research.
• Industry Engagement: Strong network and ability to build partnerships with corporate and entrepreneurial ecosystems.
• Strategic Thinking: Capacity to align academic initiatives with current institutional products and services.
• Team Development: Ability to mentor faculty and staff while fostering a culture of excellence and collaboration.
• Innovation & Entrepreneurship: Commitment to pioneering the ALU educational models and promoting entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial leadership in postgraduate education.
• Business Development: Strong ability to engage with investors and external partners to drive business growth for ALU.