Company Description

Agriterra is the world’s leading not-for-profit agri-agency from-and-for agricultural cooperatives and farmer organizations. Our mission is to strengthen organized farmers in developing and emerging countries, given the importance of effectively organized farmers to sustainably address food security, economic development, climate adaptation and mitigation. We are financed and work via donor-granted projects and programs. These long-lasting strategic partnerships with a variety of donors are key for us in our day-to-day work. For more information, visit our website www.agriterra.org.

In Ethiopia, Agriterra has been active since 2015. It supports cooperatives in the dairy, coffee, cereal, and horticulture value chains in different parts of the country.

About the project and the job

BRIDGE+ is a five year programme (from November 2023 to December 2028) implemented by a consortium of partners composed of SNV Netherlands Development Organization (lead) and Wageningen University (WUR and Agriterra, with the financial support from the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (EKN).

The overall objective of the BRIDGE+ programme is to contribute to a functioning dairy Value Chain that creates inclusive and sustainable benefits for all its participants, including wider society, with particular focus on smallholder farmers within the mixed farming system. To attain this objective, the project will operate at three levels: (1) smallholder farmers: increase benefits from dairy farming; (2) dairy value chain: improving functioning and food safety; and (3) at sector level: strengthening institutional structure.

In BRIDGE+ Agriterra will focus on building the capacities of dairy cooperative societies to deal with the changing market dynamics (including resilience) through reinforcing their governance structures, management and services.

Agriterra is looking for junior cooperative advisors who can work at its project locations(Mekelle and Hawass cities). As a junior cooperative Advisor, you will provide expert advice, coordinate advisory trajectories with cooperatives, and have an advisory and broker role in closing business deals aimed at building well-organized and operational cooperatives. To achieve this, you initiate and maintain a network including cooperatives, financial institutions, traders, service providers, and other stakeholders in the dairy value chain. You successfully initiate and guide change trajectories with clients, lobby, mediate, support negotiation processes, and prepare business deals.

A junior cooperative advisor will be based at Hawassa city will support dairy cooperatives found at Sidama, Arba Minch, Wolaitta, Kambatta and Hoseanna milk sheds. On the other hand a junior cooperative advisor that will be based at Mekelle city will support dairy cooperatives found at different milk sheds in the Tigray region.

Key roles and responsibilities include, not limited to:

• Provide business development advice and facilitate change management that allow dairy cooperatives to realise their business growth potential.

• Advise dairy cooperatives on financial management (adequate bookkeeping and financial reporting); general proper recording (membership, volumes produce, minutes, etc), financial procedures, business development, marketing & sales, governance, business practices in cooperatives.

• Investigate opportunities to finance business plans of dairy cooperatives, support the establishment of contacts and negotiate business agreements with banks, investors, and other financiers (governments and the business sector).

• Contribute to the development of financially sustainable structures within cooperatives and farmers’ organisations to enhance their service provision and extension service to their members.

• Provide clients with guidance relating to change trajectories, to promote the interests of farmers, and cooperatives, with the authorities of the relevant developing countries.

• Collect and systematise information about clients and advisory processes, such as financial reports and annual overviews.

Job Locations: Mekelle and Hawassa cities

Job Requirements

Profile

• A bachelor degree and above  in relevant field e.g., Agricultural economics, Development Studies, Entrepreneurship, Agri-business, Business administration or any other related field. 

• A maximum of 2 years of relevant working experience at international organisation(s); experience supporting agricultural development projects.

• Extensive experience of more than 3 years working with cooperatives and farmer organizations.

• Good understanding of the Dairy Value Chain and the Agriculture sector in Ethiopia 

• Understanding of and experience in agricultural projects, cooperations, advisory services, financial project management, PMEL, donor reporting and/or business development.

• Good computer skills in MS-applications (MS Office).

• Strong networking, good communication combined with solid writing and reporting skills, and presentation skills,

• Business mindset, pro-active work approach, attention to detail, able to adapt to shifting demands and deadlines.

• Enthusiastic, focused on results and service, and with adequate advisory or training skills.

• Good oral and written English communication skills is required for both positions. 

• Additionally, proficiency in Tigrigna language is required for the Mekelle City post. Proficiency in the Amharic language is required for the Hawass city position.

• Able and willing to travel frequently to rural areas.

Competencies

• Skills: interpersonal, organizing, coaching and, communication skills.

• Personal qualities (traits): initiative, problem-solver, team player, decisive, helicopter view, motivator.

• Able to work independently with minimal supervision

What we have to offer!

• At Agriterra, the work environment is collegial and ambitious.

• Developmental opportunities including an education fund.

• In this position you get the responsibility but also the freedom to use your skills in order to operate in dynamic international markets, see and realize opportunities.

• Whenever necessary, you will work in collaboration with other Agriterra and SNV BRIDGE+ staff.

• Agriterra is offering a full-time position for a period of one year with the possibility of extension based on performance and budget availability.

• The working conditions and additional benefits are good. The salary offered will depend on your experience and qualifications.

• Wonderful workplace & great colleagues!

How to Apply

Are you interested in this position and do you fit the profile?

 Apply before December 06, 2023, with a cover letter and curriculum vitae, by sending an email to ethiopia@agriterra.org for the attention of Habtamu Mekonnen, Country Representative for Agriterra Ethiopia, with reference code Junior Cooperative Advisor. Please indicate the location for which you want to apply in the email subject and application letter together with the position.

If you require further information, you can also contact him by sending an email stated above.