Advisor (Value Chain Development) Full Time NEW

Advisor (Value Chain Development)

The project Strengthening Rural Value Chains II (SRVC II) is a bilateral project funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by GIZ in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture of the Federal Republic of Ethiopia. This three-year project (2025-2027) builds on and expands the preceding project SRVC (2021-2024).

The SRVC II project is a comprehensive agricultural value chain development (VCD) project, aiming to strengthen private sector development, supply chain management, post-harvest management. It works with various public and private partners, including agricultural input and service providers, agricultural producers and processors as well as business associations. In addition, the project aims to support public sector partners with agricultural policy development and inter-sectoral coordination for Ethiopia’s agricultural sector to fulfill its potential to contribute to national food security, economic development and employment. Therefore, increasing productivity, resilience, product quality, as well as access to national and international markets are key objectives.

The project is structured into three integrated components focusing on oilseeds, horticulture and coffee. The latter will be financed by the European Union, to be implemented jointly with Spain and Italy within a Multi-Partner Contribution Agreement (MPCA). This will focus on coffee VCD and EUDR compliance, aiming for Ethiopian coffee producers and exporters to reach EU markets. For the horticulture component the project has received additional funds from the Gates Foundation to support horticulture value chain development in the Arba Minch-Addis Ababa corridor, was well as in Kenya and Uganda. This will be implemented in close collaboration with the Ethiopian Horticulture Association EHPEA and partly through the promotion of contract farming in the corridor.

For the development and operation of these co-financed project components on horticulture contract farming and coffee development, this advertisement seeks a senior Ethiopian coffee and/or horticulture expert to be based in Hawassa with extensive technical skills and work experience. This position is initially limited until 12-2027 but can be extended until mid-2029

1. Responsibilities

• Support the planning and implementation of the horticulture and coffee components within the Addis-Arba Minch corridor.
• Identify, plan and implement activities to support coffee productivity, resilience, processing and marketization, as well as EUDR compliance.
• Identify opportunities for and support horticultural VCD, and investments along the Arba Minch-Addis corridor, including through contract farming and private sector development.
• Support the collaboration with the Ethiopian Horticulture Association EHPEA, the Sidama Coffee Farmers Cooperative Union, and other farmer organisations.
• Support policy development for private sector engagement and investment, as well as for the export of coffee and horticultural products.
• Support the development and implementation of capacity development measures for selected partners and actors.
• Contribute to project implementation, event organization, knowledge management and M&E, as needed.

1. Qualifications

• Master’s degree from a recognized university in the field of Economics, Policy, Business Administration, Agriculture or another relevant field.
• At least 5 years of experience in senior level management or technical advising position in agricultural development
• development, specifically in the coffee or horticultural sector in Sidama or Oromia.
• University studies abroad or 3 years work experience abroad or 3 years work experience in Ethiopia with international organizations, institutions or companies
• Fully fluent in Amharic and English language, both orally and in writing. Additional knowledge of Afan Oromo and/or Sidamo languages is a plus.
• Other Knowledge, additional competencies
• Extensive understanding and work experience on coffee or horticultural value chain development, including marketization and export promotion.
• Experience on working with agricultural processing companies, agri-businesses, commercial and smallholders’ farmers on value chain and supply chain development
• Work experience with international organizations for technical cooperation in Ethiopia.
• Experience on coordination of different stakeholders and development partners
• Experience in supporting business development and product promotion in the agricultural sector.
• Excellent communication and inter-personal skills
• Proven abilities to work both self-directed and as part of a team.
• Prior experience working on Gates Foundation and/or EU-funded projects