Project background

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.

Purpose of the job

There are 25 Dairy Milkshed Advisor, distributed throughout the country. Most of them will be hosted by the government zonal office. Most of the positions have been established for the duration of the BRIDGE+ project phase, but others are just established for the first 2 to 3 years, as part of gradual phasing out.

The purpose of this position is to facilitate, support, and lead project implementation intended to enhance milkshed level dairy sector development. This, among others, includes providing capacity development services to project beneficiaries (smallholder and commercial dairy farmers, dairy cooperatives, Agro-Input Dealers, small scale dairy processors, schools), milkshed level dairy sector coordination, potential stakeholder assessment, challenge and opportunity assessment, stakeholder engagement, B2B linkage creation, and facilitation and provision of service delivery support.

The Milkshed Advisor works at a milkshed (sub regional) level and is directly accountable for the delivery of project results at that level. The position holder facilitates and ensures quality implementation of all the project components and achievement of the deliverables to the target clients or communities. Executes milkshed level delivery of the project. Conforms to the advice given by the regional manager or national advisors, and SNV procedures and guidelines, making sure that timelines and project standards are met. Anticipates on delivery challenges and suggests and takes mitigation measures to ensure service and delivery continuity.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Advisory Services: Leads the implementation of all project components and assignments with in the milkshed, defining and developing appropriate implementation approaches.

• Provides directly support to project beneficiaries and works closely with associates and partners, building their capacity for the implementation leading to concrete and specific results, based on pre-formulated targets.

• Knowledge Development - Contributes to internal and external knowledge development products and processes, sharing of lessons learned for application in daily practice.

• Liaises with external partners, including government to mobilise knowledge and capacities for the generation of specific and measurable results within the various components of the project.

• Project and Process development - Develops implementation modalities and contributes to strategy adjustments as part of the project team, based on lessons learned.

• Positioning - Contributes to the identification of market opportunities and threats within the context. Actively participates in strategic positioning meetings and is able to present BRIDGE+ project to stakeholders. Builds and maintains relations with project stakeholders and partners and suggest new partner opportunities.

• Business Development - Is aware of and identifies opportunities for Business Development policies and procedures. Provides support to proposal development.

• People Management -Take part in project campaigns and specific assignments and through on the job coaching increase the capacity of associates and partners. Provides hands on training, where necessary, and contributes to the development of training manuals and guidance.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in specialised and relevant technical field.

• At least 6 years' experience in development work and project implementation, of which at least 3 years in dairy sector.

• Dairy sector experience is important.

Additional Skills:

• Excellent understanding of the culture and ways of living of target communities

• Speaks the local language fluently.

• Good written and spoken English.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and excellent awareness about communities, government structure and etc.

• Good report writing skill and able to collect document and share records and information.

• Computer proficiency is required.

• work independently and as part of the team, and work effectively with co-workers, partner agencies and the private sector.

• Computer proficiency is required.

Competencies:

• Problem analysis

• Communication

• Focus on quality.

• Result orientation

• Perseverance

Additional Information

Contract Type: National

Expected start date: May 25, 2024.

Duty Station: Mekelle, Ethiopia

Contract Duration: This contract is a Maternity Cover up to September 25, 2025.

How to Apply

If you believe that your credentials meet the outlined profile, we invite you to apply by uploading your CV and a letter of motivation before/on the 24th of April 2025.

Please submit your application only via Smart Recruiters using THIS LINK

All information will be in the strictest confidence.

If we see that your experience and skills match the requirements of the position, we will be in touch shortly to inform you of the next steps in the recruitment process

SNV is an equal opportunities employer and female candidates are encouraged to apply.