Rwanda Seed Science & Technology Lead

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.

Our Rwanda program, founded in 2007 is our largest and operates under the local brand Tubura. We have more than 3,000 staff across all four provinces of Rwanda, as well as in Kigali. Together, we served more than 2.8 million farmers in 2024. We work closely with the government to support national efforts to improve food security. Additionally, we help channel funding and resources to promising agri-SMEs, supporting farmers by providing a market for high-impact crops such as coffee, avocado, and chili.

About the Role

Lead the RICA Seed Center’s science and training services. We seek an expert to manage technical research and professional courses, ensuring absolute integrity and excellence to help 1M+ farmers access high-quality seed in Rwanda. This role will have a 40% research, 40% postgraduate-level teaching, and 20% management requirement.

Responsibilities

Lead Department Strategy, Team & Operational Excellence

• Define and drive the Seed Center’s Scientific/Technology strategic roadmap, ensuring alignment with long-term industry impartiality and impact goals.
• Lead and develop a high-performing, multidisciplinary team, fostering accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning.
• Oversee departmental planning, budgeting, and OKRs, ensuring strong execution and operational efficiency.

Direct Seed Technology & Business Professional Training Program

• Lead the end-to-end delivery of a flagship postgraduate training program, ensuring strong student outcomes, curriculum relevance, and industry reputation - including leading the applied research units of the course.
• Drive accreditation, regional positioning, and growth of the program, including partnerships and funding opportunities.
• Coordinate instructors and partners to deliver high-quality technical and leadership training - in partnership with the academic administration and trainee welfare coordinator.

Provide Strategic Leadership for Seed Laboratory & Certification Services

• Oversee the long-term technical roadmap for seed laboratory services, including quality testing, certification, and accreditation (e.g. ISO, ISTA).
• Ensure delivery of high-quality, impartial laboratory services that meet national and international standards.
• Build and manage strategic partnerships with regulatory bodies and industry stakeholders.

Lead National Field Trials & Seed Systems Strengthening

• Oversee national performance trials, ensuring high-quality data generation (e.g. DUS, VCU) and compliance with international standards.
• Coordinate publication of national variety lists and support transparent, credible seed system governance.
• Strengthen collaboration with government and private sector partners to advance Rwanda’s seed industry.

Drive Technical Insight, Reporting & Sector Influence

• Ensure production of high-quality, user-focused technical reports and validated data for stakeholders.
• Analyze seed sector trends and generate insights to inform strategy, policy, and industry development.
• Act as a senior technical voice, contributing to national dialogue and shaping the future of the seed sector.

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:

• PhD in Plant Breeding, Seed Science, Seed Systems, Seed Technology, or related field (or MSc. with significant relevant experience).
• 5+ years (MSc) or 2+ years (PhD) of relevant experience in seed research, development, or systems.
• Excellent in scientific and technical writing and reporting skills; publication experience is an advantage - with an ability to perform and interpret complex statistics being a big plus.
• Advanced expertise in seed science, plant breeding, or seed systems, with strong knowledge of seed technologies and grain crops.
• Familiarity with international regulatory frameworks (e.g. UPOV, ISTA, OECD) and seed certification systems.
• Ability to operate in high-context environments, driving alignment, accountability, and results.
• Experience delivering training, academic programs, or professional capacity-building initiatives.
• English required; working proficiency in Kinyarwanda is an advantage.

Preferred Start Date

As soon as possible

Job Location

Kigali, Rwanda

Benefits

Health insurance, housing, and comprehensive benefits

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

21 July 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.