The Commercial Lead role at One Acre Fund in Uganda focuses on building and driving strong commercial systems that help smallholder farmers access better markets and improve their income. In simple terms, you will connect strategic business planning with real farming communities in rural Uganda. You will help farmers sell their produce such as coffee and macadamia under better conditions, while also strengthening rural supply and market systems. This role is hands-on, combining leadership, field engagement, and data driven decision making. You will work closely with teams in agriculture, operations, and field extension staff to ensure farmers get reliable market access and fair returns for their produce.
Key Responsibilities You will lead the design and implementation of commercial strategies that improve farmer income and strengthen agricultural value chains in Uganda. This includes developing practical market access models for crops like coffee and macadamia, ensuring farmers can reach stable and profitable buyers. You will oversee coordination between field teams and headquarters to make sure commercial plans are properly executed in rural communities. You will monitor performance of commercial programs, review data from the field, and use insights to improve farmer outcomes and program efficiency. You will build partnerships with buyers, aggregators, and agribusiness stakeholders to expand market opportunities for farmers. You will support pricing decisions, demand planning, and supply chain coordination to reduce post harvest losses and improve product quality. You will also guide teams working on farmer engagement, ensuring farmers understand market requirements and meet quality standards for their crops. You will regularly travel to field locations to understand challenges farmers face and adjust strategies based on real conditions on the ground.
Requirements & Qualifications A bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Agriculture, Agribusiness, Economics, Commerce, or related field is required. A master’s degree is an added advantage, especially in business, development, or agriculture related studies. You need strong experience in commercial operations, supply chain management, agribusiness, or market development, ideally 5 or more years in a leadership or senior role. Experience working with rural communities or agricultural value chains in Uganda or similar environments is highly important. You should understand how agricultural markets work, including pricing, sourcing, and buyer relationships. Strong analytical skills are required because the role depends heavily on data interpretation and decision making. Good communication and leadership skills are important because you will manage cross functional teams and external partners. Ability to work in rural field conditions and travel frequently is necessary.
Salary Range (Expected Range) The expected salary range for this role in Uganda is 12,000,000 UGX to 25,000,000 UGX per month depending on experience level, leadership background, and international development exposure. Senior candidates with strong agribusiness and commercial leadership experience may earn higher within or above this range.
About the Company Insight Section One Acre Fund is an international social enterprise focused on supporting smallholder farmers across Africa. The organization works by providing farming inputs, training, financing, and market access to help farmers increase productivity and income. In Uganda, the work environment is field oriented and impact driven, combining office based planning with frequent rural engagement. The organization focuses on long term agricultural transformation, working closely with farming communities to improve food security and household income.
Location Breakdown The role is based in Uganda with frequent travel to rural farming districts depending on program operations. Kampala serves as the main coordination base, offering access to major partners, agribusiness networks, and operational support. Field areas include agricultural regions where coffee and macadamia farming is active. Living in Kampala offers urban convenience, access to transport, and professional networks, while field work provides direct exposure to rural farming challenges and opportunities.
How to Apply Smart Tips Tailor your CV to highlight agribusiness, commercial strategy, and supply chain experience. Focus on measurable results such as revenue growth, market expansion, or farmer income improvement. Use keywords such as agribusiness development, value chain management, rural market access, and commercial strategy. Include examples of working with farmers, cooperatives, or agricultural programs in Uganda. Show clear leadership experience, especially in managing teams or cross functional projects. Prepare to demonstrate how you solve real market problems using data and field insights.
Pro Tips to Stand Out Show experience working directly with coffee or export crops in Uganda, especially in value chain improvement. Highlight any work with farmer cooperatives, NGOs, or agricultural development programs. Demonstrate strong data skills using Excel or analytics tools for commercial decision making. Show understanding of export markets, buyer requirements, and agricultural quality standards.
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