Graphic Designer (Fixed-Term)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer (Fixed-Term)

Company: One Acre Fund

Location: Nairobi, Kenya

Job Type: Full-Time, Temporary

Category: Creative & Design Operations

Date Posted: 2026-09-09

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on the end-to-end production and management of design assets for farmer-facing materials, reports, and organizational collateral, requiring a strong understanding of visual communication and brand integrity within the non-profit agricultural sector.

• It involves independent management of multiple design portfolios for assigned countries, demanding robust project management, stakeholder engagement, and proactive problem-solving to ensure timely and high-quality delivery.

• The position emphasizes the application of advanced graphic design principles across both print and digital mediums, with a specific need for expertise in preparing production-ready files and foundational experience in packaging design.

• A key aspect of this role is to contribute to the continuous improvement of design processes, templates, and workflows, driving efficiency and enhancing the effectiveness of communication materials for One Acre Fund's mission.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Graphic Designer," the responsibilities and emphasis on portfolio management, stakeholder communication, and process improvement indicate a strong operational component. This role requires not just creative output but also the systematic management of design projects and their integration into broader communication strategies. The mention of "farmer-facing materials" and "organizational collateral" highlights the direct impact of this design work on the organization's mission delivery, making it akin to a specialized form of GTM (Go-To-Market) or operational design support.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Independently manage and execute high-quality, creative, and brand-aligned design projects across assigned country and organizational portfolios.

• Lead design projects from initial brief and concept development through stakeholder review, production, and final delivery, ensuring alignment with project objectives.

• Review project briefs thoroughly to recommend optimal design approaches that effectively address audience needs, communication goals, and specific project requirements.

• Ensure consistent quality, technical accuracy, and appropriate adaptation of design materials across diverse audiences, formats, and country-specific contexts.

• Serve as the primary Design team point of contact for assigned portfolios, managing all stakeholder communications, including alignment on briefs, deliverables, timelines, and expectations.

• Proactively manage multiple projects simultaneously, maintaining clear work plans, prioritizing tasks effectively, and ensuring all deliverables are met within agreed-upon timelines.

• Clearly articulate design decisions, constructively navigate and integrate stakeholder feedback, and guide stakeholders toward effective and impactful design solutions.

• Identify and escalate potential project risks, unclear requirements, competing priorities, or anticipated delays to relevant stakeholders and management in a timely manner.

• Proactively identify and contribute to practical improvements in recurring design processes, templates, workflows, and overall stakeholder engagement strategies to enhance operational efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly outline a need for strong project management and stakeholder coordination, which are core operational functions within a creative capacity. The emphasis on "independently manage," "own design projects," and "primary Design team contact" points to a high degree of autonomy and responsibility, typical of mid-to-senior level operations roles that require strategic execution.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communication, or a related field, OR equivalent professional experience.

Experience: Minimum of five years of professional graphic design experience, with a proven track record of independently managing projects from brief to final delivery.

Required Skills:

• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, specifically InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop.

• Strong capabilities in both print and digital design, with comprehensive knowledge of print production processes and preparing accurate, production-ready files.

• Solid understanding of fundamental design principles, including layout, typography, visual hierarchy, and effective brand application.

• Ability to design for diverse audiences and varying communication needs, adapting visual styles as required.

• Foundational experience in packaging design, covering concept development through to production-ready artwork.

• Excellent project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities, develop clear work plans, and meet deadlines consistently.

• Strong stakeholder communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to manage expectations, provide constructive feedback, and collaborate effectively.

• Working proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with Canva.

• Prior experience working within a non-profit or agricultural sector organization.

• Familiarity with international development contexts or designing for diverse cultural audiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "advanced proficiency" in Adobe Creative Suite and "strong understanding of layout, typography, visual hierarchy, brand application" indicates a need for deep technical and aesthetic skill. The inclusion of "project management and stakeholder communication skills" as soft skills highlights the operational demands of the role, beyond just creative execution.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of five years of professional design work, demonstrating a clear progression from initial concept to final, implemented collateral.

• Include examples of independently managed projects, highlighting your role in brief interpretation, concept development, execution, and stakeholder liaison.

• Present a diverse range of design outputs, including reports, newsletters, farmer-facing materials, and any packaging design projects undertaken.

• Demonstrate proficiency in preparing production-ready files for both print and digital applications, with clear explanations of technical specifications used.

• Highlight projects that show adaptation of brand guidelines across different contexts or for specific audience needs, illustrating strategic application of visual identity. Process Documentation:

• Be prepared to discuss your personal design workflow, from receiving a brief to final file delivery, emphasizing efficiency and quality control checkpoints.

• Provide examples of how you have managed project timelines, communicated with stakeholders about progress, and handled feedback or revisions.

• Explain your approach to ensuring brand consistency and technical accuracy across multiple design deliverables within a single project or portfolio.

• Be ready to articulate any contributions you have made to improving design processes, templates, or workflows in previous roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a design role with significant operational responsibilities, a portfolio is crucial. The emphasis here is not just on the final visual output but on demonstrating the candidate's ability to manage the entire design process operationally, including stakeholder management and adherence to technical/brand standards.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on regional research for experienced Graphic Designers in Nairobi, Kenya, with a non-profit context, the estimated annual salary range for this fixed-term role (5+ years experience) is KES 2,400,000 - KES 3,600,000. This translates to approximately KES 200,000 - KES 300,000 per month.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Insurance: Coverage for medical needs, providing peace of mind for employees and potentially their dependents.

• Paid Time Off: Generous allocation for vacation, personal days, and public holidays, promoting work-life balance and employee well-being.

• Fixed-Term Contract: A 2-year contract offers stability and commitment from the organization.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for continuous learning, mentorship, and career growth within the organization.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours, typically around 40 hours per week, with potential for flexibility depending on project demands and team needs. The role is based on-site in Nairobi.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation is based on market research for Graphic Designers in Nairobi, Kenya, considering the non-profit sector and the specified 5+ years of experience. This range is an estimate and actual compensation will depend on the candidate's specific qualifications and experience. The benefits listed are standard for many organizations but are detailed here to reflect their value to professionals.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Agriculture & International Development. One Acre Fund operates within the vital sector of smallholder agriculture in Africa, aiming to improve farmer productivity and livelihoods. This context means the work is mission-driven, focused on tangible impact, and often involves working with diverse, rural communities.

Company Size: 9,000+ full-time staff. This indicates a large, established non-profit organization with a significant operational footprint across multiple countries, offering opportunities for impact and professional development within a structured environment.

Founded: 2006. Founded in 2006, One Acre Fund has over a decade of experience and growth, establishing robust systems and a proven model for farmer support. This history suggests a stable organization with established processes and a clear vision.

Team Structure: The Graphic Designer will be part of a broader Design team, which likely includes other designers, potentially brand managers, and communication specialists. This team will collaborate closely with country-specific program teams, marketing, and leadership to develop and disseminate essential communication materials. The reporting structure will likely involve a Design Manager or Head of Communications.

Methodology: One Acre Fund's approach is characterized by a data-driven, impact-focused methodology. For the Design team, this translates to creating materials that are not only visually appealing but also clear, effective, and tailored to specific audience needs (e.g., farmers with varying literacy levels). The emphasis is on practical application and measurable outcomes.

Company Website: https://oneacrefund.org/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's mission in agriculture and development is a key cultural driver. The "Graphic Designer" role is not just about aesthetics but about enabling the organization's mission through effective communication, which requires understanding the operational context and impact.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level to senior specialist within the Design function. It requires significant autonomy in managing portfolios and projects, indicating a level of responsibility beyond entry-level design positions. The focus on process improvement and stakeholder management adds an operational dimension that supports career progression towards design leadership or project management roles.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer will report to a manager within the Design or Communications department. This manager will oversee project allocation, provide strategic guidance, conduct performance reviews, and support career development. Collaboration will be extensive with program teams across various countries, requiring strong cross-functional communication skills.

Operations Impact: The work of the Graphic Designer directly impacts the organization's ability to communicate effectively with its primary stakeholders: smallholder farmers. High-quality, clear, and culturally appropriate design materials are crucial for training, program enrollment, and information dissemination. This role therefore plays a vital operational role in ensuring program success and brand consistency across all touchpoints.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific design areas such as packaging design, data visualization for reports, or digital asset creation for farmer outreach platforms.

• Process Improvement Leadership: Contribute to and potentially lead initiatives aimed at optimizing design workflows, implementing new tools, or developing standardized templates for greater efficiency and impact.

• Cross-Functional Project Leadership: Take on lead design roles for major organizational initiatives or campaigns, requiring collaboration with multiple departments and country teams.

• Mentorship: As a seasoned designer, there may be opportunities to mentor junior designers or interns.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Career Growth and Development" section in the original job description explicitly mentions weekly check-ins, mentorship, training, and bi-annual career reviews, reinforcing the organization's commitment to professional development, which is a key aspect of retaining and growing talent in operations-focused roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is specified as "On-site" in Nairobi, Kenya, indicating a traditional office-based work environment. This setting is conducive to collaborative work, team meetings, and direct interaction with colleagues.

Office Location(s): Nairobi, Kenya. This major East African hub provides access to a vibrant professional community and amenities. Specific office details would be provided upon inquiry or during the interview process.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The on-site nature of the role facilitates direct collaboration with team members, managers, and potentially other departments within the office. This is beneficial for brainstorming, receiving immediate feedback, and building strong working relationships.

• Tools and Technology: Access to standard office technology, including computers, software (Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office, Google Workspace), and potentially shared design resources.

• Team Interaction: Regular opportunities for in-person interaction with the design team, fostering a shared sense of purpose and facilitating quick problem-solving.

Work Schedule: The role is typically full-time, approximately 40 hours per week. While the core hours are standard, the emphasis on managing multiple projects and meeting deadlines may require some flexibility. The on-site requirement means adherence to office operating hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "on-site" requirement is critical for understanding the work environment. For a design role, this often means a studio-like setting within an office, facilitating collaboration and access to necessary resources.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess technical skills, experience, and fit with the role's requirements.

• Technical/Skills Assessment: This may involve a practical design test or a detailed discussion about past projects to evaluate proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, design principles, and production readiness.

• Behavioral/Situational Interviews: Questions focused on project management, stakeholder communication, problem-solving, and how candidates handle feedback and work under pressure. Expect questions related to managing multiple priorities and working independently.

• Portfolio Review: A dedicated session where candidates present their portfolio, explaining their process, design rationale, and the impact of their work. Be prepared to discuss challenges and solutions encountered in specific projects.

• Cultural Fit Interview: Assessment of alignment with One Acre Fund's mission, values, and collaborative work style.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 4-6 of your strongest, most relevant projects that showcase your range (print, digital, packaging) and your ability to manage projects end-to-end.

• Highlight Operational Aspects: For each project, clearly articulate the brief, your specific role, the challenges faced, your problem-solving approach, the design decisions made, and the final outcome/impact. Emphasize how you managed timelines and stakeholders.

• Demonstrate Brand Adherence: Show examples where you successfully applied or adapted brand guidelines.

• Technical Proficiency: Be ready to discuss file preparation for print and digital outputs, including any specific software settings or considerations.

• Storytelling: Frame your projects as stories that illustrate your skills, problem-solving abilities, and impact.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Exercise: You might be given a brief for a specific type of material (e.g., a flyer for a farmer event, a page layout for a report) and asked to produce a concept or a draft within a set timeframe. Focus on clear communication, brand alignment, and understanding the target audience.

• Process Discussion: Be prepared to discuss your typical design workflow, how you prioritize tasks when managing multiple projects, and how you handle conflicting feedback from stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the emphasis on independent project management and stakeholder communication, interviewers will likely probe deeply into how candidates structure their work, manage competing demands, and communicate effectively. The portfolio review is critical for demonstrating not just creative talent but also operational competence.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Advanced proficiency required, specifically:

  • InDesign: For layout of reports, newsletters, and farmer-facing materials.
  • Illustrator: For creating graphics, icons, logos, and complex illustrations.
  • Photoshop: For image editing, manipulation, and digital asset creation.

• Microsoft Office Suite: Working proficiency, particularly Word for text integration and PowerPoint for presentations.

• Google Workspace: Working proficiency, including Docs for collaboration and Sheets for basic data tracking.

Analytics & Reporting: While not a primary focus for this role, understanding how design impacts engagement metrics (e.g., click-through rates for digital materials, comprehension of farmer materials) could be beneficial. Awareness of reporting tools used by the organization might be helpful.

CRM & Automation: Not directly applicable to this role, but understanding how design assets are deployed through communication channels (e.g., email marketing platforms, social media) is a plus.

Other Design Software:

• Canva: Experience is considered an advantage, indicating familiarity with user-friendly design platforms.

• Packaging Design Software: While not explicitly listed, any experience with specialized packaging design software or workflows would be beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core requirement is deep expertise in the Adobe Creative Suite. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace is standard for most professional roles, but here it's essential for integrating design work into broader organizational documents and communications.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Impact-Driven: A strong commitment to the mission of improving farmer livelihoods, meaning design work should always serve this ultimate goal. Efficiency and effectiveness in communication are paramount.

• Collaboration: A culture that values teamwork, open communication, and mutual support, especially across different departments and country teams.

• Continuous Learning: An environment that encourages professional development, skill enhancement, and adaptation to new methods and technologies in design and communication.

• Accountability: Taking ownership of projects, meeting deadlines, and delivering high-quality work consistently, reflecting a responsible and reliable approach to operational tasks.

• Data-Informed: While primarily a creative role, understanding how design choices can influence data collection or be informed by user feedback is valued.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The role requires close collaboration with program teams in different countries, communications specialists, and potentially leadership. This involves actively listening to needs, providing design expertise, and translating requirements into effective visual solutions.

• Feedback Culture: An open environment for constructive feedback on designs, where designers can both receive and provide input to improve the quality and effectiveness of communication materials.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of best practices, templates, and design resources within the team and across the organization to maintain brand consistency and efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's mission is central to its culture. For a designer, this means understanding the audience (farmers) and the impact of their work, framing design decisions within the context of organizational goals and operational efficiency.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative and Operational Demands: Effectively managing multiple design projects with competing deadlines, stakeholder priorities, and brand guidelines requires strong organizational and time-management skills.

• Designing for Diverse Audiences: Adapting design approaches to effectively communicate with smallholder farmers across different cultural contexts, literacy levels, and geographic locations.

• Remote Stakeholder Management: Coordinating with country-based teams who may be in different time zones, requiring clear communication protocols and proactive follow-up.

• Maintaining Brand Consistency: Ensuring that all design outputs adhere to One Acre Fund's brand standards across a wide range of materials and applications.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Design Training: Access to workshops or courses to enhance skills in areas like packaging design, infographic creation, or digital design for mobile platforms.

• Cross-Cultural Communication Workshops: Opportunities to better understand and design for diverse cultural contexts relevant to One Acre Fund's operational regions.

• Project Management Skills Development: Further training or practical experience in managing complex projects, potentially leading to more senior project management roles within the operations or communications sphere.

• Mentorship: Guidance from experienced design or communications leaders within One Acre Fund to navigate career growth and develop strategic thinking.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the operational aspects of the role, such as project management and stakeholder coordination, which are key areas for growth and development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you managed multiple design projects with competing deadlines. How did you prioritize and ensure all deliverables were met?" (Assesses project management and prioritization skills.)

• "How do you approach understanding the needs of a diverse audience, especially when designing for individuals with varying literacy levels or cultural backgrounds?" (Evaluates audience-centric design thinking and adaptability.)

• "Walk us through a project where you had to manage difficult stakeholder feedback. How did you navigate the situation and arrive at a successful design solution?" (Tests communication, negotiation, and problem-solving abilities.)

• "How do you ensure brand consistency across a wide range of materials and for different country programs?" (Probes understanding of brand stewardship and operational implementation.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about One Acre Fund's mission, and how do you see your design skills contributing to our work with smallholder farmers?" (Assesses mission alignment and understanding of impact.)

• "Describe your ideal work environment and how you collaborate within a team, especially when working with remote colleagues." (Evaluates cultural fit and collaboration style.)

• "How do you stay updated on the latest design trends and technologies, and how do you incorporate them into your work?" (Gauges commitment to continuous learning.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your presentation logically, perhaps by project type or by demonstrating your end-to-end process.

• Narrative: For each project, tell a story: the challenge, your solution, the rationale behind your design choices, and the outcome or impact.

• Quantify Impact: If possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., increased engagement, improved comprehension, successful campaign delivery).

• Highlight Operational Skills: Explicitly point out how you managed timelines, communicated with stakeholders, and prepared files for production.

• Be Ready for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your process, technical choices, and how you handle constructive criticism.

📝 Enhancement Note: Questions will likely focus on the intersection of creativity and operational execution, assessing not just design talent but also the ability to manage projects, communicate effectively, and contribute to the organization's mission.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer (Fixed-Term) position:

• Submit your application through the One Acre Fund careers portal (https://oneacrefund.org/vacancies/?gh_jid=8158654).

• Customize your resume: Tailor your resume to highlight the specific skills and experience mentioned in the job description, such as advanced Adobe Creative Suite proficiency, project management, stakeholder communication, and experience with print/digital/packaging design. Use keywords from the job posting.

• Curate your portfolio: Select your strongest, most relevant design projects that demonstrate your technical skills, creative range, and project management capabilities. Ensure it includes examples of reports, farmer-facing materials, and packaging design if applicable. Prepare to discuss your process, challenges, and outcomes for each piece.

• Prepare for interview questions: Research One Acre Fund's mission, values, and recent work. Practice articulating your experience with project management, stakeholder communication, and your design process, using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) where appropriate.

• Understand the context: Familiarize yourself with the agricultural sector in Africa and the unique communication challenges faced by organizations like One Acre Fund. This will help you frame your responses and demonstrate your understanding of the role's impact.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.