Productive Use of Renewable Energy (PURE) Advisor - Horti-LIFE Green Growth (contingent upon funding approval)

SNV is a global development partner, deeply rooted in the countries where we operate. Driven by a vision of a better world where all people live with dignity and have equitable opportunities to thrive sustainably, SNV strengthens capacities and catalyses partnerships that transform agri-food, energy, and water systems. We help strengthen institutions and effective governance, reduce gender inequalities and barriers to social inclusion and enable adaptation and mitigation to the climate and biodiversity crises.

With 60 years of experience and a team of approximately 1,600 people, we support our partners in more than 20 countries in Africa and Asia, tailoring our approaches to different contexts to achieve large-scale impact and create more equitable lives for all.

Our core values of people-centeredness and respect, equity and equality, and diversity and inclusion, are fundamental to who we are, and what we do. This is reflected in our vision and mission, and strategy, which sets out our aspirations and commitments as our compass towards 2030.

For more information, please refer to our website: www.snv.org. 

Context and purpose of the job

The Horti-LIFE GREEN GROWTH Description of the Action (DoA) promotes the integration of Productive Use of Renewable Energy (PURE) solutions into Ethiopia’s horticultural value chains. Supported by the EU Delegation and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Ethiopia, it aligns with Specific Objective 2 of the EU Action Document for Green Business Development in sustainable Agro-food systems. Building on lessons from the Dutch-funded Horti-LIFE project, where PURE was not included, the DoA responds to growing demand driven by rising fuel costs, limited fertiliser access, soil degradation, and post-harvest losses. The project aims to enhance smallholder productivity and resilience through PURE solutions such as solar irrigation, biodigesters, solar cold storage, and solar dryers. These technologies improve soil health, water efficiency, year-round production, and reduce post-harvest losses amid climate variability. Given Ethiopia’s security volatility, the project will apply adaptive management to ensure conflict-sensitive and equitable implementation across four target regions. Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) will be embedded to ensure women, youth, and marginalised groups access technologies, training, finance, and markets.

The project also strengthens local private sector capacity to supply PURE solutions, leveraging Horti-LIFE III platforms including Farmer Field Schools, (A)-TVETs, and MSME networks. The Horti-LIFE Green Growth project is implemented in Sidama, South Ethiopia, Central Ethiopia and Southwest Ethiopia.

Position Overview

• The PURE Advisor is a senior-level role that plays a pivotal role in advancing the integration of renewable energy solutions into vegetable and fruit production by smallholder farmers, focusing on the productive use of energy to enhance horticultural productivity, value addition, and rural livelihoods through providing strategic direction, technical expertise, and stakeholder engagement support. The Advisor will adopt a systems transformation approach and acting as a convener to bring together diverse stakeholders. 
• This role will focus on ensuring the deployment of innovative, scalable, and cost-effective PURE technologies, supporting market expansion, financing mechanisms, and capacity-building efforts for project partners at different levels.
• The advisor provides, strategic direction to the implementation of PURE part of the Horti-LIFE Green Growth project.
• This is a dual position where PURE technical, as well as project management experience is required.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Leadership in PURE Adoption & Scaling

• Provide high-level technical advisory services on the deployment of PURE technologies and their productive applications in agriculture such as solar-powered irrigation, cold storage, biodigesters/bioslurry and energy-efficient Agro-processing.
• Identify and address systemic barriers to PURE adoption, recommending innovative, market-driven, and climate-smart solutions that align with regenerative agriculture practices and enhance productivity, efficiency, and sustainability.
• Work closely with technology providers, finance institutions, end users, and government agencies to ensure PURE solutions are technically feasible, financially viable, and scalable
• Support the development of business models and financing mechanisms to scale PURE adoption among smallholder farmers and agribusinesses

Market System Development for PURE:

• Analyse market opportunities, barriers, and incentives for the adoption of PURE technologies in agricultural value chains.
• Facilitate partnerships/ linkages between technology providers, agribusinesses, financial institutions, and farmers to develop sustainable business models
• Work with financial institutions to co-design innovative financing mechanisms, such as pay-as-you-go (PAYG), lease-to-own models, and blended finance solutions to de-risk PURE investments.
• Develop strategies to integrate PURE into existing agricultural markets, ensuring inclusivity and benefits for women, youth, and marginalized groups.

Systems Transformation and Convening Role:

• Design and implement interventions that address systemic barriers to PURE adoption, such as policy gaps, financing challenges, and limited technical capacity.
• Advocate for enabling policies, regulations, and incentives that support the integration of PURE into agricultural systems at local, regional, and national levels.

Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) for PURE Integration

• Collaborate with the LEARNING team/MEL team to track progress, measure impact, and ensure alignment with project goals.
• Contribute to regular reporting and communication of project outcomes to donors and stakeholders.

Basic Qualifications: 

• Master’s degree in a field related to Renewable Energy, Energy Management, Engineering or other related disciplines is required.
• 10 Years of Substantial experience in development work including but not limited to design and implementation of PURE related development projects in an agricultural setting in Ethiopia.
• Relevant technical expertise and understanding of the energy and the agriculture sector and considerable (10 years) practical experience of introduction of energy technologies to enhance agricultural/horticulture productivity
• Strong leadership skills and experience in partnership development and engaging with a wide range of stakeholders
• Proven experience in project management, technology adoption & promotion.
• Good communication skills in English, both written and spoken, with excellent reporting facilitation and presentation skills.

Competencies:

• Conceptual thinking
• Coaching
• Focus on quality
• Result orientation
• Persuasiveness

Additional Information

Contract Type: National

This position is contingent upon funding approval.

Expected start date: February 2026

Duty Station: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Contract Duration: One Year with the possibility of extension based on performance. 

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 10th of January 2026. Please submit your application only via Smart Recruiters. All information will be kept in the strictest confidentiality. 
If we see that your experience and skills match the requirements of the position, we will contact you to advise on the next steps in the recruitment process.

Working at SNV  
SNV offers a challenging work environment, opportunities to lead and innovate, and a commitment to growing your skills in a fulfilling and diverse working environment. Our staff benefit form and contribute to, an internal and global network of experts.

At SNV, inclusivity is at the heart of our ethos. We celebrate the diversity of our workforce and uphold a policy of non-discrimination based on factors such as disability status, religion, ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, and more.

Vetting
SNV carries out rigorous background and reference checks concerning possible safeguarding incidents for all candidates applying for both national and International determined positions. As SNV participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme, all reference checks include a request to past employers to fill in a questionnaire regarding Misconduct (sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment), the “Statement of Conduct". This Statement of Conduct adopts the definitions used in the Scheme.  

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

We do not appreciate third-party mediation based on this advertisement.