Tupande Pyrolysis Operator ( Fixed-Term)
Local Work Rights Required
This employer does not provide visa sponsorship. Applicants must already have the legal right to work in the job location.
This opportunity may still be relevant if you already have work authorization, are a permanent resident, citizen, student or dependant with work rights, or are seeking jobs within Africa.
Role Summary
Join One Acre Fund as a Tupande Pyrolysis Operator in Kenya, overseeing the pyrolysis production process to support smallholder farmers.
About the Organisation
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](https://oneacrefund.org/careers/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.
Operates and monitors a designated stage of the pyrolysis production process; feedstock feeding and drying, core carbonization, or biochar discharge and cooling.
Key Responsibilities
Feeder and Dryer Stage
Carbonizer Stage
Discharge and Cooling Stage
All Stages
Other
- Load feedstock into the feed system at the correct rate
- Monitor and control the drying system to maintain target moisture levels
- Ensure a consistent and uninterrupted feed to the carbonizer
- Monitor and control pyrolysis temperatures, airflow, and combustion conditions
- Adjust system parameters to maintain optimal and stable operation
- Respond immediately to process deviations
- Monitor and control the cooling system
- Maintain consistent biochar product flow from the discharge point to storage or packaging
- Detect and clear blockages safely and promptly
- Record process data, readings, and observations in the shift log at defined intervals
- All stages: Report equipment faults, unusual readings, or safety concerns to the Production Supervisor immediately
- Perform equipment pre-checks at shift start and assist with start-up, shutdown, and cleaning procedures
- Follow all Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) hazard awareness protocols at the assigned workstation throughout the shift
- Support the Maintenance Officer during equipment stoppages or cleaning related to the assigned process stage
Minimum Requirements
Across all roles, these are the [general qualifications we look for](https://oneacrefund.org/work-with-us/application-process/qualifications/). For this role specifically, you will have:
Other
As soon as possible
- Certificate or diploma in a technical, mechanical, chemical, or process engineering field preferred
- Prior experience in pyrolysis, kiln operation, biomass processing, or high-temperature industrial processing is a strong advantage (particularly for the carbonizer stage)
- Ability to read gauges, meters, and basic instrumentation and record data accurately
- Reliable, attentive, and able to follow SOPs precisely under minimal supervision
- Shift availability: Willingness and ability to work rotating 9-hour shifts, including night shifts, on a rotation cycle
- Physically capable of working in a hot, dusty industrial environment throughout the shift, including conducting walkthroughs of the production line at regular intervals
Working Conditions
Health insurance, paid time off
Application Information
05 October 2026. Please note that we hire on a rolling basis which means that applications are reviewed and processed on a continuous basis until a hire is made.
- One Acre Fund never asks candidates to pay any money or pay for tests at any stage of the interview process. Official One Acre Fund emails will always arrive from an @*[*oneacrefund.org*](http://oneacrefund.org/) *address. Please report any suspicious communication here (globalhotline@oneacrefund.org), but do not send applications or application materials to this email address.*
- Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (DEI), and anti-racism are deeply connected to our organization’s mission and purpose. One Acre Fund aspires to build a culture where all staff feel consistently valued, represented, and connected – so that our team can thrive as professionals, and achieve exceptional impact for the farmers we serve.*
- We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender, gender identity or expression. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.*
Eligibility Criteria
This position is limited to local candidates who do not require sponsorship for work authorization.
⚠️ Disclaimer: PathwayAI Africa does not guarantee employment, scholarships, visas, or admission. Always verify all opportunities through official sources before submitting personal information.
Check if You Qualify
Upload your CV to compare it against this specific opportunity. You can still apply even if improvements are recommended.