Tupande Laboratory Technician (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

As a Soko Lab technician, you will be responsible for the end-to-end integrity of our samples from aseptic collection on the factory floor to high-tech preparation and rigorous laboratory maintenance.This role is the backbone of our quality assurance process, bridging the gap between our production lines (Macadamia, Avocado Oil, and Dried Fruits) and the analytical lab. You'll report to the Laboratory Specialist.

Responsibilities

Field & Production Sampling Operations

• Aseptic Collection: Execute daily sampling plans across multiple production lines, ensuring zero external contamination.
• Environmental Swabbing: Systematically monitor ‘high-care’ zones to support microbiology sanitation verification.
• Statistical Representation: Ensure small-volume samples accurately represent bulk volumes from farmers and factories.

Sample Management & Processing

• LIMS Administration: Formally track samples within the Laboratory Information Management System to maintain a Chain of Custody.
• Technical Preparation: Perform cryogenic grinding, solvent extraction, and serial dilutions to prepare samples for final analysis.

Laboratory Sterility & Maintenance

• Sanitation: Manage the "Clean-To-Dirty" glassware flow and operate autoclaves to ensure 100% tool sterility.
• Reagent Formulation: Prepare culture media and chemical reagents (pH/concentration sensitive) for PCR or ELISA testing.
• Safety & Waste: Oversee hazardous waste disposal in compliance with NEMA and OSHA standards.

Inventory & Asset Support

• Stock Governance: Monitor consumable "burn rates" and trigger reorders to prevent downtime.
• Safety Warden: Maintain chemical storage organization, functional eye-wash stations, and team PPE compliance.

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

• 2+ years of experience in a laboratory environment (Food Manufacturing preferred).
• Proven skill in aseptic sampling, grinding, dilution, and solvent extraction.
• Familiarity with LIMS and digital data management.
• Strong understanding of laboratory safety protocols, waste management, and hygiene standards.
• Excellent work planning and ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Capable of making routine decisions and representing the team to stakeholders with minimal supervision.
• High attention to detail in reporting and non-conformance tracking.
• Ability to explain complex technical findings in simple terms.

Preferred Start Date

As soon as possible