Sustainability and Value Added in Agricultural Supply Chains in Ethiopia (SUVASE)

Commissioned by BMZ, the Global Programme “Sustainability and Value Added in Agricultural Supply Chains” promotes sustainability in global supply chains. It aims to make these fair, sustainable, and deforestation-free. The programme focuses on cooperation with global companies, civil society organisations and international standards organisations. It works along the entire supply chain.

In Ethiopia, the programme is implementing activities in the supply chain of coffee through the “Sustainability and Value Added in Agricultural Supply chains in Ethiopia” (SUVASE) project. SUVASE was initiated in August 2020 and has, since then, supported member farmers of 38 coffee cooperatives located in Illubabor in sustainable production and market access. Since September 2022 SUVASE is also implementing an integrated development partnership with a major international coffee merchant in the Jimma zone. On national level SUVASE is also engaged to prepare the Ethiopian coffee sector for the EU sustainability agenda. To support Ethiopia in adapting to and becoming fit for the new German and EU legislations for sustainable supply chains, SUVASE will facilitate a policy advisory approach.

Contract Duration:    March 31, 2025

Responsibilities and Duties

A. Responsibilities

The advisor is responsible for:

• Ensuring professional advisory services regarding especially the social and legal dimension of sustainability, topics such as supply chain due diligence regulations, gender, child labor, inclusion and living income

• Ensuring cooperation, regular contact and dialogue with all project stakeholders, assisting with PR work and cooperating with local communities, relevant organisations, non-governmental agencies and individuals in the project/ programme environment and with other projects to improve and maintain good working relationships

• Developing, managing and monitoring contracts

• Ensuring knowledge transfer and drawing up reports and presentation documents

• Dealing with the design, preparing and implementation of workshops and other events on issue related to the project

• Representing GIZ and the SUVASE project at local and national level

Tasks

The advisor is responsible for:

• Facilitating the process of the development of policy and regulation recommendations regarding sustainable supply chains (e.g. EU-regulation on deforestation-free products etc.) and advising as well cooperating with a broad range of actors and partner institutions (governmental, private sector and civil society representatives)

• Providing professional advisory and managing activities on various agricultural supply chain topics such supply chain due diligence regulations, gender, child labor, inclusion and living income to, coordinating, and cooperating closely within GIZ and external relevant stakeholders

• Preparing and managing contracts and grants with external service providers and partners according to the rules and regulations of GIZ and contribute to overall project management duties

• Coordinating with and supplementing the communication, monitoring and evaluation, knowledge management, reporting and administrative activities

• Assisting the project management and steering of the overall project.

Required qualifications, competences, and experience

Qualifications

• Masters/MSc in political science, social science or another area that is related to the project objective

Professional Experience:

• At least 5 years of professional experience in a comparable position

• At least 5 years of experience in a political advisory position

• At least 3 years of experience in coordinating and facilitating (high-level) political processes

• At least 3 years of experience in project management and managing contracts

• At least 3 years of experience in agricultural supply chains, coffee supply chain will be considered as an advantage

• At least 3 years of experience in at least one of the topics: child labour, inclusion and living income

• At least 3 years of experience in development cooperation projects and working in international teams

• At least 3 years of experience in communication and knowledge management

Other Knowledge, additional competencies

•  Excellent in English (spoken and written) and fluent in Amharic

• Very good working knowledge of ITC technologies and computer applications (e.g. MS Office)

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; Demonstrated ability to work in intercultural teams and settings; as well as to adjust work plan and priorities rapidly in response to urgent needs and external opportunities

• Proactive, reliable, and highly motivated working attitude and diplomatic skills and context sensitivity, gender competence

• Is passionate about creating a positive impact and believes in the power of the private sector

• Willingness to upskill as required by the tasks to be performed – corresponding measures are agreed with management

How to Apply

Application procedure:

Interested and qualified candidates shall submit their motivation letter along with their non-returnable recent CV only via email: hreth@giz.de

Please make sure you mention the vacancy number and position title ‘Economic Policy Advisor #174/2023’ in the subject line of your email application.

Due to large number of applications, we categorise applications with the vacancy numbers 

Applications without vacancy numbers in subject lines might be disqualified. 

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

We encourage persons with disabilities to apply for the position. In case of equal qualification, persons with disabilities will be given preference.

Applications from qualified women are encouraged.

“Please refer to our brochure to learn more about GIZ’s attractive benefit package.”