Tupande Soko Laboratory Specialist (Fixed - Term)
Tupande Soko Laboratory 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.
Our Kenya program, founded in 2006, operates under the local brand Tupande. Close to 500 staff in our Kakamega headquarters support 1,747 field staff and serve more than 1 million farmers. In Nairobi, around 50 staff support global functions like procurement, recruitment, government relations, and communications.
About the Role:
Seeking an exceptional Laboratory Lead with 5+ years of experience to lead set-up, commissioning, and routine Laboratory operations to ensure Tupande processing is high-quality and food safe. The Lab Manager is responsible for ensuring the lab produces accurate results, remains legally compliant and operates efficiently to support factory production.
Responsibilities:
Quality & Compliance:
• ISO 17025 Lead: Build and maintain the quality systems to keep the lab internationally accredited.
• Audit Expert: Main point of contact for regulators (KENAS, NEMA, DOSHS). You fix system gaps before external inspectors find them.
• Accuracy Checks: Compare lab results with global benchmarks (Proficiency Testing) to prove data reliability.
• Document Master: Keep all manuals and testing methods (SOPs) updated according to International Standards.
Technical Leadership:
• Method Expert: Approve all testing methods (Chemical/Microbiological) and create new ones for new products.
• Equipment Care: Manage the setup and maintenance of high-tech lab tools.
• Final Approval: Act as the final technical "sign-off" on all test certificates before products go from the factory.
• Problem Solver: Investigate failed tests to find out if the lab made a mistake or if there is a real issue in production.
Operations & Safety:
• Expansion & Setup: Lead the technical side of building or growing lab facilities (plumbing, HVAC, etc.).
• Budgeting: Manage costs for chemicals and equipment maintenance.
• Safety & Waste: Enforce strict safety rules (PPE/Spills) and ensure hazardous waste is disposed of legally.
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:
• 5+ years of experience in a food/agricultural lab management role.
• Deep knowledge of ISO 17025, KENAS, and NEMA regulations.
• Experience managing teams, budgets and complex projects.
• Proven ability in validating new testing methods and equipment.
• Experience in laboratory accreditation processes, equipment qualification (IQ/OQ/PQ), and method validation.
Preferred Start Date:
As soon as possible
Job Location:
Sagana, Kenya
Benefits:
Health insurance, paid time off
Contract Duration:
2 years
Eligibility:
This role is only open to citizens or permanent residents of Kenya
Application Deadline:
04 August 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.
How to apply:
https://oneacrefund.org/vacancies/tupande-soko-laboratory-specialist-fixed-term?gh_jid=7896953&gh_src=p72g9ecg1us