Nigeria State Expansion Specialist

Job title : Nigeria State Expansion Specialist

Job Location : Gombe Deadline : October 27, 2026 Quick Recommended Links

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About the Role

• Seeking an entrepreneurial field operations leader to launch and run OAF's newest expansion state, leading site selection, team-building, and a full season across credit, Cash, Trees, and Extension to prove the model before it scales.

Responsibilities
State Entry & Launch:

• Lead community mapping and site selection within the assigned state, building on the state-level approvals and Security Risk Assessment (SRA) completed by the Expansion Senior Specialist.
• Establish the operational footprint, including districts, wards, and Points of Delivery (PODs), based on farmers' potential, accessibility, and operational viability.
• Recruit, onboard and prepare the in-state team before programme activities begin, ensuring staffing meets operational needs and organisational diversity targets.

Programme & Commercial Operations:

• Lead the successful delivery of all programme activities across Credit, Cash Sales, Trees, Extension and Market Access throughout the first season.
• Develop and execute the state's operational calendar, ensuring activities such as recruitment, enrollment, training, seedling production, repayment and aggregation are well coordinated.
• Own delivery of the state's Season 1 operational, enrollment, revenue and P&L targets.

People Leadership:

• Lead and develop the in-state leadership team, providing direction, coaching and performance management to Coordinators and frontline managers.
• Build a high-performing culture by strengthening capability, addressing underperformance, resolving resource conflicts and implementing strategies to improve frontline staff retention.

Community & Stakeholder Engagement:

• Build trusted relationships with community leaders and local stakeholders to support programme delivery and farmer participation.
• Lead local trust-building efforts, particularly around Credit enrollment and the 15% prepayment requirement.

Performance, Risk & Continuous Improvement:

• Monitor programme performance across districts, using data to identify risks, improve execution and recommend corrective actions.
• Manage operational, financial and credit risks within the state, escalating significant issues where required.
• Provide evidence-based recommendations on state performance and readiness for scale to support leadership decisions beyond the first season.

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:
  • A Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Business, Economics, Social Sciences or a related field is required
  • 5 years of relevant experience, including 3 years leading field teams or managing multi-workstream operations.
  • Project Management: Ability to plan, coordinate and deliver complex, multi-workstream projects while balancing competing priorities and timelines.
  • Data-Driven Decision Making: Ability to analyse operational data, identify root causes, and make sound operational decisions using evidence.
  • Results Orientation: Demonstrated ownership of operational, commercial or programme targets, with a track record of delivering measurable results.
  • People Leadership: Experience leading, coaching and developing high-performing teams while collaborating effectively across multiple functions.
  • Stakeholder Management: Strong communication and relationship management skills, with the ability to engage community stakeholders and present clear, evidence-based recommendations.
  • Mobility: Willingness to be based in a rural or remote location within the assigned state, travel extensively, and relocate to another expansion state as organisational needs evolve.
  • Language: Fluency in English is required. Proficiency in the predominant local language of the assigned state (e.g. Hausa) is an advantage.

Benefits

• Health insurance, paid time off.