Babban Gona

Operations - Career Accelerator Program

Babban Gona  •  Federal Republic of Nigeria / Republic of Niger (Onsite)  •  2 months ago
Apply
AI can make mistakes so check important info. Chat history is never stored.

Job Description


About Babban Gona:


Babban Gona is an award-winning, high-impact social enterprise passionately committed to transforming the lives of smallholder farmers in Nigeria

, striving to be

the earth's highest impact business

. Built upon a foundation of strong core values, our principles guide our behaviours and actions, both individually and as a cohesive team. We provide

holistic support to our members

, encompassing access to vital finance, high-quality agricultural inputs, cutting-edge training, and reliable markets,

empowering them to significantly increase their yields, incomes, and overall livelihoods

. At the heart of our operations is the principle of

"Member First"

:

we obsess about our customers, our smallholder members

, beginning every discussion by considering how it benefits them and working backwards. We work tirelessly to earn and maintain our members' trust, ensuring every interaction is informative and comprehensive, and we strategically leverage technology to provide readily accessible information. Our unwavering commitment ensures that our members are so satisfied they become our strongest advocates.


About the Career Accelerator Program:


Are you a driven and talented young professional in Operations, ready to

accelerate your career trajectory and contribute to a mission of significant impact

? Apply for the Babban Gona Career Accelerator Program today!


This

unique and enriching opportunity

is meticulously designed for recent graduates who possess a

genuine passion for agriculture and rural development

. The program offers

comprehensive training and intensive development

within Babban Gona's dynamic field operations, providing a supportive and enriching environment where

excellent work is recognised and rewarded

. You will be empowered to

conquer new challenges that unlock your full potential

and gain invaluable insights from industry experts, all while making a tangible contribution to our overarching goal of

creating impact at scale

. Our culture is laid-back yet fosters intense focus, enabling you to execute your ideas effectively and without unnecessary distractions. A cornerstone of our team is

taking ownership

: we expect you to

never say "This is not my job"

and to always be willing to go above and beyond to improve the lives of our members.


Job Summary:


The Operations Career Accelerator Program is an

entry-level position strategically designed to provide in-depth training and facilitate rapid professional growth

within Babban Gona's critical field operations. This role presents an

exceptional opportunity

for individuals who deeply resonate with our

passionate commitment

to our transformative mission and who are eager to

rapidly develop into impactful Team Leads

. As a valued member of the Career Accelerator Program, you will gain hands-on exposure to a diverse range of responsibilities across our operational spectrum. This includes

client management of our dedicated smallholder farmers and vital agro-processing companies, the intricacies of efficient supply chain management, the rigour of internal audit processes, the importance of effective human resource management, strategic procurement of essential resources, and the proactive management of our facilities

. Throughout this immersive program, you will receive

dedicated mentorship and invaluable guidance

from experienced professionals, specifically designed to cultivate essential leadership and management acumen. Our core objective is to

rapidly develop you into a highly capable Team Lead

, where you will have the responsibility of leading and empowering a team of field officers within a specific and crucial area of our operations, consistently

insisting on the highest standards

of quality, accuracy, and meticulous execution.


Responsibilities (Training and Development Focus):


  • Farmer Recruitment and Onboarding (Support):


    • Assist in the

      critical process

      of recruiting and registering new member farmers, recognising that this is the fundamental bedrock of our ability to create widespread impact.


    • Support the seamless coordination of comprehensive farmer onboarding activities, ensuring that every new member receives all necessary information with clarity and understanding, directly embodying our

      "Member First"

      principle by proactively ensuring all their questions are answered comprehensively.


    • Be relentlessly curious and actively learn

      the detailed and systematic farmer data collection processes, deeply understanding the paramount importance of accurate and reliable data as

      "Data is Reality"

      for informed decision-making and effective interventions.


  • Input Distribution (Support):


    • Assist in the

      vital operational task

      of distributing high-quality agricultural inputs to our dedicated member farmers, directly understanding how this critical function profoundly impacts their yields and livelihoods.


    • Take proactive ownership

      of diligently learning and meticulously maintaining accurate records of input distribution and inventory levels, ensuring we

      deliver tangible results

      with utmost efficiency and unwavering precision.


    • Observe and diligently learn the proper and effective storage and handling protocols for all agricultural inputs, consistently striving to maintain our

      "Insisting on High Standards"

      for unparalleled quality and effectiveness.


  • Farmer Support and Monitoring (Learning):


    • Actively participate in insightful field visits to closely observe farmer activities and meticulously track their progress,

      diving deep

      into the granular details of their daily operations to gain a comprehensive understanding of their specific needs and challenges.


    • Learn the essential skills to effectively collect and rigorously analyse crucial data on

      optimal input usage

      and

      farm yields

      , deeply understanding how these critical metrics inform our overall understanding and drive our strategic decision-making, aligning perfectly with our principle of

      "Sound Judgement and Planning"

      .


  • Harvest Operations (Assistance):


    • Assist in the efficient coordination of all harvest-related activities, recognising this as a

      critical stage

      in ensuring our members successfully realise the full value of their hard work and dedication.


    • Learn the intricate processes of produce aggregation and stringent quality control, deeply understanding our unwavering commitment to

      "Insisting on High Standards"

      throughout every stage of the agricultural value chain.


    • Provide crucial support to post-harvest handling and effective storage activities, continuously looking for innovative ways to improve efficiency, minimise loss, and reduce complexity, actively aligning with our principle of

      "Continuously Innovate"

      .


  • Produce Management and Sales (Observation):


    • Observe the systematic storage and secure warehousing of all harvested produce, deeply understanding the fundamental importance of proper management to consistently

      deliver optimal results

      for our valued members.


    • Learn the comprehensive sales process and effective interaction strategies with potential buyers, deeply understanding the critical importance of securing a fair and profitable market for our members' dedicated efforts, a cornerstone of our

      "Member First"

      approach.


    • Assist in the meticulous maintenance of accurate and up-to-date records of all produce inventory and sales transactions, fully recognising the fundamental importance of precise data for

      sound judgement and informed decision-making

      .


  • Team Development:


    • Be relentlessly curious and wholeheartedly embrace a love for continuous learning

      by actively and enthusiastically participating in all comprehensive training programs thoughtfully provided by the company, consistently seeking opportunities to improve your skills and knowledge.


    • Learn to communicate effectively, clearly, and respectfully with all team members and our dedicated farmers, deeply understanding that transparent and open communication is absolutely essential for

      successful operational execution

      .


    • Begin to develop a thorough understanding of the multifaceted role of leadership within a dynamic field operations environment, recognising your potential to

      "Think Big"

      and contribute meaningfully to our long-term vision for widespread impact.


    • Demonstrate genuine eagerness to learn and grow rapidly into a capable team lead role, consistently exhibiting your

      "Passionate Commitment"

      to Babban Gona's transformative mission.


  • Reporting and Administration (Learning):


    • Assist in the accurate preparation and timely submission of comprehensive reports detailing field activities, understanding the critical importance of timely and accurate information for effective decision-making processes.


    • Learn to meticulously maintain accurate and organised records of all transactions and operational activities, directly contributing to our

      "Insisting on High Standards"

      for data integrity and operational transparency.


    • Gain a foundational understanding of operational budgets and responsible expense management, keenly recognising the fundamental need to

      "Do More with Less"

      to maximise the reach and effectiveness of our impactful work.


    • Learn and strictly adhere to all established company policies and procedures, deeply understanding the importance of clear guidelines for ensuring efficient and effective operations.



Requirements


  • Bachelor's degree in

    Business Administration, or a closely related field.


  • A profound interest and an unwavering passion for agriculture and rural development

    , aligning intrinsically with Babban Gona's core transformative mission.


  • Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills

    , with a demonstrated ability to listen attentively, speak candidly and respectfully, fostering a consistently

    "Trusted"

    environment built on mutual respect.


  • Strong organisational and exceptional learning abilities

    , demonstrating inherent

    curiosity and a genuine love for continuous learning and improvement

    .


  • Demonstrated ability to work effectively and collaboratively in rural areas and a willingness to travel frequently, exhibiting a strong commitment to going the extra mile to directly serve our members.


  • Proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.


  • Fluency in both English and the relevant local language(s) to facilitate effective communication with our diverse members and teams.


  • A strong and intrinsic desire to learn, develop, and rapidly grow into a leadership role

    , consistently demonstrating a proactive

    commitment to taking ownership

    and diligently driving impactful results.


  • A deep and unwavering passion for Babban Gona’s core mission

    of sustainably transforming the lives of smallholder farmers across Nigeria.


Preferred Qualifications:


  • Previous practical exposure to agricultural practices or direct engagement with rural communities.


  • Demonstrated leadership potential, showcasing a natural ability to inspire, motivate, and effectively guide others towards achieving common goals.


Benefits


  • Competitive Salary

  • Paid Vacation

  • Sick Leave

  • Annual Performance Bonus


  • Growth Opportunities:

This role is

strategically designed to provide a rapid and well-defined pathway for significant career advancement

within Babban Gona. Successful candidates who consistently

deliver exceptional results

, wholeheartedly embody Babban Gona's core principles in their daily work, and demonstrate strong leadership potential will have the distinct opportunity to progress into a Team Lead position. In this elevated role, you will directly manage and empower a team of Field Agents, assuming greater responsibilities and making a more significant contribution to our

"Thinking Big"

vision for the future of agricultural transformation. We are deeply committed to developing exceptional leaders who take their crucial role in coaching and mentoring others with the utmost seriousness and dedication.
Babban Gona

About Babban Gona

The story of Babban Gona is one of transformation. We are a high-impact, financially sustainable, and rapidly scalable agricultural social enterprise that is revolutionizing smallholder farming across Nigeria.

We saw what many overlooked: that farmers, often trapped in cycles of low yields and poverty, were capable of extraordinary things. So, we built something different. We built a social enterprise designed to scale; a business that blends impact with sustainability, profit with purpose.

Over the years, we have grown not just in numbers, but in vision. With support from partners like Nestlé, DfID, AGRA, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Skoll, GIZ, USAID, The Mastercard Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, IFAD, Global Partnerships, and EDFI AgriFi, we created an agricultural franchise model that has changed the game.

Through this model, we have helped smallholder farmers—men and women across Northern Nigeria—double their yields and incomes, access quality inputs, financing, training, and markets. We have built trust, and in return, they have achieved an astounding 99% loan repayment rate.

Today, our story continues with greater momentum than ever:

- We have disbursed over $250 million in financing to farmers

- We are managing over 100,000 metric tons in storage capacity

- We have cultivated over 200,000 hectares sustainably

And we are not done yet.

Our eyes are set on the future—50 million smallholder farmers by 2043.

This is more than just agriculture. It is about restoring dignity to farming, feeding nations, empowering women, and unlocking prosperity across rural Africa.

We are Babban Gona!

Industry
Food & Beverage
Company Size
501-1,000 employees
Headquarters
Lagos, NG
Year Founded
2012
Social Media