Vacancies at One Acre Fund

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.

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Responsibilities

Grant Proposal Development & Strategy: Develop & manage grant budgets

• Lead budget development to ensure all financial and operational data is accurate and reflects organizational goals.
• Provide strategic guidance to fundraising teams and perform quality control on grant agreements to safeguard financial interests.
• Coordinate with program staff early in the process to confirm the feasibility of milestones and manage data entry for new opportunities.

Grant Reporting & Audit Readiness: Monitor grant expenditures, lead audits, and ensure full compliance with grant requirements

• Oversee financial report preparation and monitor spending across programs to ensure adherence to funder regulations and deadlines.
• Lead grant-specific audits by ensuring all financial records and supporting documentation are accurate, complete, and ready for external review.
• Support program teams with technical assistance and training to ensure all expenses are adequately documented and that funds are used effectively.

Systems Management & Process Improvement: Own and implement long-term system improvements.

• Validate data within Salesforce and Power BI to ensure financial records accurately reflect grant restrictions and proposal budgets.
• Continuously improve grant-related processes by creating automated reports and standardized templates to increase team efficiency.
• Adapt and refine internal systems to minimize compliance risks and keep pace with the evolving requirements of new funding.

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:

• 8+ years of experience in finance and accounting, with the relevant certifications. The ideal candidate will also have experience with grants management within the development sector, with a proven track record of successfully managing complex grant portfolios
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, or a related field; advanced degree preferred
• Expertise in financial grants management, including budgeting, forecasting, and reporting processes
• Proficiency with CRM systems, particularly Salesforce, for grant management and reporting
• Advanced Excel skills, including the ability to perform complex functions and data analysis
• Proficient in analyzing complex datasets for strategic decision-making