The One Acre Fund Future Leaders Program 2026 is now open for applications! This 12-month, full-time leadership development initiative is designed for high-potential professionals passionate about creating measurable social impact in agriculture and rural development across Africa.
Participants gain hands-on experience working on some of One Acre Fund’s most impactful operational and strategic initiatives, coupled with structured mentorship and professional development. The program provides an accelerated pathway for professionals seeking meaningful career growth while driving real-world change.
Program Overview
The Future Leaders Program immerses participants in real-time problem-solving within large-scale agricultural and social enterprise operations. Fellows collaborate with cross-functional teams and senior leaders, contributing to initiatives that improve farmer livelihoods, strengthen systems, and scale impact.
Key responsibilities include:
- Translating strategic priorities into actionable project plans
- Building systems and partnerships from the ground up
- Using data-driven insights to inform decision-making
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
- Have the legal right to work in one of One Acre Fund’s countries of operation: Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Ethiopia, Burundi, or Malawi (work permits not provided).
- Hold a bachelor’s degree or higher
- Have 2–4 years of relevant professional experience
- Demonstrate working proficiency in English
- Fluency in local languages (Swahili, Kinyarwanda, Kirundi, Amharic, Chichewa, or French) is desirable
Desired Competencies
Successful candidates will demonstrate:
- Strong project management and stakeholder engagement skills
- Ability to convert strategies into structured, executable plans
- Experience in designing systems, processes, and partnerships from scratch
- Strong analytical skills, with data-driven decision-making capabilities
Prior experience in social enterprises, agriculture, or rural development is advantageous but not mandatory.
Program Benefits
Participants will receive:
- Direct mentorship from senior leadership
- Hands-on experience in high-priority initiatives
- Leadership development support and professional training
- Exposure to large-scale agricultural and social enterprise programs
- Opportunities to build strong networks within the development and impact sector
- Potential pathway to permanent employment with One Acre Fund upon successful completion
Important: Applicants must already have the legal right to work in one of the program countries. Work permit sponsorship is not available.
How to Apply
Interested professionals can submit their applications via the official portal:
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