Horticultural Value Chains Development Expert Full Time

Position: Horticultural Value Chains Development Expert/2/

Description

Heifer International is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with some form of disability.

The Organization

Since 1944, Heifer International has empowered over 46 million smallholder farmer families globally to overcome hunger and poverty while caring for the earth. Our new goal is to close the Sustainable Living Income gap for 10 million more households by 2030.

Heifer Ethiopia’s contribution to the Global 10 million households target is to help 1,000,000 of Heifer Africa’s 6.745 million households achieve sustainable living income by 2030. Heifer Ethiopia’s maiden Signature Program, focusing on dairy, poultry, small ruminants and horticulture, will set the pace.

FUNCTION:

The Horticultural Value Chains Development Expert/2/ reports to the Project Team Leader and is responsible for providing technical leadership and hands-on field-level implementation support for horticulture value chain development under the Bridging the Skills Gaps in Horticulture to Enhance the Sector Growth, and Food and Nutrition Security in Ethiopia (BSH4GFNS) Project. The post holder plays a central role in translating project strategies and designs into practical, high-quality interventions at regional, district, and community levels.

He/she is responsible for supporting improvements in horticulture production, productivity, post-harvest handling, quality assurance, aggregation, and market access for farmers, and commercial enterprises. The Expert ensures that interventions are technically sound, market-oriented, climate-smart, and aligned with the project’s Market Systems Development (MSD) approach, addressing systemic bottlenecks rather than providing short-term or unsustainable support.

The position holder works closely with youth, farmers, private sectors, extension agents, and local government institutions to facilitate adoption of improved practices, strengthen linkages among value chain actors, and improve competitiveness and inclusiveness of horticulture value chains. He/she supports the Project Team Leader and MEL function by contributing technical inputs, monitoring field-level results, and documenting lessons learned. The position/s/ is contingent upon confirmed funding and donor approval.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DELIVERABLES:

Technical Horticulture Value Chain Development (50%)

Day-to-day technical leadership and field-level implementation support to ensure achievement of project objectives, outputs, and outcomes, including but not limited to:

• Support farmers and private actors to adopt improved practices that enhance productivity, quality, and resilience to climate shocks and environmentally sustainable approaches.
• Provide technical support on post-harvest handling, grading, sorting, storage, packaging, and quality assurance to reduce losses and meet market and buyer standards.
• Facilitate aggregation models and strengthen linkages between producers, cooperatives, MSMEs, buyers, processors, exporters, and other market actors.
• Support introduction and scaling of appropriate technologies and innovations related to horticulture production, post-harvest management, and market access.
• Work closely with extension agents and service providers to strengthen delivery of horticulture advisory and business development services.
• Ensure women and youth’s inclusion in and benefit from horticulture value chain interventions.

Project Planning, Monitoring, and Reporting (30%)

• Collaborate with the Project Team Leader and relevant specialists to prepare annual and quarterly regional work plans aligned with the overall project work plan and budget.
• Monitor implementation of horticulture value chain activities and track progress against targets and indicators at field level.
• Collect, verify, and report field-level data and qualitative information in coordination with the MEL function.
• Document technical results, success stories, challenges, and lessons learned for inclusion in project reports and learning products.
• Contribute technical inputs to monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and annual project reports in line with donor and Heifer International requirements.

Coordination and Stakeholder Management (15%)

• Work closely with regional and district Bureaus of Agriculture, extension systems, cooperatives, private sector actors, and other stakeholders to ensure coordinated and effective implementation.
• Participate in regional and local coordination meetings, planning sessions, and review workshops related to horticulture development.
• Support multi-stakeholder engagement and learning at regional and community levels to strengthen trust, coordination, and information sharing across the value chain.

Any Other Assigned Functions (5%)

• Perform any other job-related tasks assigned by the Project Team Leader that are consistent with the objectives and scope of the project.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• BSc Degree in Horticulture, Agriculture, Agronomy, Plant Science, or other relevant disciplines, with a minimum of seven (7) years of relevant experience in horticulture production, value chain development, extension services, or related fields.

Preferred Requirements:

• Master’s Degree in a relevant professional discipline with a minimum of 4 years relevant experience.
• Demonstrated experience of working on horticulture value chains, market access initiatives, and post-harvest management in Ethiopia.
• Experience working with donor-funded agricultural or market systems development projects.

Most Critical Proficiencies:

• Strong technical knowledge in horticulture (floriculture, fruits and vegetables) value chain development.
• Practical experience in horticulture value chain and market systems development.
• Ability to translate technical concepts into practical guidance for all value chain actors.
• Strong communication and documentation skills in English and relevant local languages.
• Ability to work effectively in rural and multicultural environments.

Essential Job Functions and Physical Demands:

• Ability to work extensively in field settings, including rural and remote areas.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines with minimal supervision.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to handle sensitive information and maintain confidentiality.

Travel Requirements:

• The position holder should allocate up to 60% of his/her time to travel within project regions to support district- and community-level activities.