Trial Supervisor

One Acre Fund equips smallholder farmers across nine African countries with farm supplies, training and credit to improve harvests and incomes. In Zambia, the organisation runs a pilot programme in Central Province exploring ways to help farmers improve yields on larger plots, operating from its office in Kabwe.

One Acre Fund is seeking a field-based Zambia Trial Supervisor to manage agronomic trials from start to finish, including plot setup, farmer coordination and season-long data collection that generates the on-farm evidence shaping the organisation's practices.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate with selected smallholder farmers to establish trial plots, carry out baseline soil sampling, and enforce strict adherence to trial protocols throughout the season.
• Guide participating farmers on experimental agronomic practices, communicate technical instructions clearly to people with varying literacy levels, and build strong community trust.
• Collect high-quality field data on mobile devices, from baseline through harvest measurements, using digital tools such as KoboToolbox or CommCare, and carry out routine data integrity checks.
• Use GPS mapping applications to establish accurate trial boundaries, manage independent field travel across multiple rural sites, and report trial progress to Product Innovations leads.

Career growth and development

• Weekly check-ins with your manager.
• Access to mentorship and training programmes.
• Regular feedback on performance and career reviews every six months.
• Opportunity to discuss career aspirations and goals, and to build a long-term career within a growing organisation.

Qualifications

• Certificate or Diploma in Agriculture or a closely related field.
• Valid motorbike license (Class A or A1).
• Strong track record in field trial execution, agronomic management, and ensuring strict adherence to trial protocols.
• Demonstrated ability in farmer engagement, trust-building, and guiding farmers through seasonal trial expectations.
• Proficiency in digital data collection tools (for example KoboToolbox, CommCare, or ODK), conducting data quality checks, and timely field reporting.
• Excellent communication skills and fluency in local languages spoken by farmers in assigned trial areas.
• Practical experience using GPS tools or apps to map farm trial plot boundaries is preferred.

Role details

• Preferred start date: As soon as possible
• Location: Kabwe, Zambia
• Benefits: Health insurance, paid time off
• Contract duration: 10 months
• Eligibility: Open only to citizens or permanent residents of Zambia

Application deadline

• 13 January 2027. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and may be processed before the deadline.

How to apply

• Apply using the Apply button on this page.