Regional Advisor - Solar Water Pump - (Horti- LIFE GREEN GROWTH)-Readvertised

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.

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Background of the Project 

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.

Purpose of the Job

The Regional Advisor – Solar Water Pumps (SWP) will drive the adoption of solar irrigation technologies among smallholder horticultural farmers across the four Southern regions by strengthening market systems, engaging private sector suppliers and financial institutions, and building the capacity of government partners, project staff, and A-TVET institutions. The Advisor will provide technical guidance, oversee demonstration sites, support curriculum development, and promote innovative, climate-smart, and scalable SWP solutions. This is not a pure engineering role; rather, it focuses on market development, stakeholder engagement, capacity building, and facilitating the sustainable uptake of SWP technologies. Working closely with public and private sector actors, the Advisor will address systemic barriers to adoption, support viable business and financing models, and expand farmer access to irrigation solutions that enhance productivity, resilience, and commercialisation opportunities in the horticulture sector.

Position Overview

• The Regional Advisor – Solar Water Pumps (SWP) will lead the roll-out and adoption of SWP technologies among smallholder horticultural farmers across the four Southern regions. The Advisor will train, coach, and provide ongoing technical support to government counterparts and project staff to ensure the effective promotion and uptake of SWP technologies. Working closely with private sector suppliers, the Advisor will oversee the establishment and management of SWP demonstration sites to showcase viable irrigation solutions. In addition, the Advisor will support project-assisted (A)-TVET institutions by providing training and guidance to lecturers and students, ensuring the effective use, operation, and maintenance of introduced technologies and equipment. In collaboration with the project's A-TVET Advisor, the Advisor will also contribute to the development of training curricula and learning materials.
• The role will focus on accelerating the deployment of innovative, scalable, and cost-effective SWP solutions by strengthening market systems, supporting financing mechanisms, enhancing private sector engagement, and building the technical capacity of project partners at national, regional, and local levels. The Advisor will play a key role in expanding farmer access to sustainable irrigation technologies that improve productivity, resilience, and commercialisation opportunities within the horticulture sector.

• Identify and address systemic barriers to SWP adoption, recommending innovative, market-driven, and climate-smart solutions that align with horticulture practices and enhance productivity, efficiency, and sustainability.
• Work closely with technology providers, finance institutions, end users, and government agencies to ensure SWP solutions are technically feasible, financially viable, and scalable
• Support the development of business models and financing mechanisms to scale SWP adoption among smallholder farmers and agribusinesses

Market System Development for PURE:

• Analyse market opportunities, barriers, and incentives for the adoption of SWP 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 SWP investments.

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 stakeholders.

Basic Qualifications: 

• Minimum of a BSc degree in Agricultural Extension, Agribusiness, Rural Development, Horticulture or a related field.

Experience:

• Substantial experience (at least 5 years) in promoting of SWP for rural communities in an agricultural setting in Ethiopia.
• The role requires demonstrated experience in market systems development, stakeholder engagement, capacity building, private sector partnerships, and facilitating the sustainable adoption of solar water pump technologies. Candidates should have experience beyond the technical design or implementation of irrigation systems, with the ability to strengthen market actors and promote scalable, commercially viable solutions.
• Need to have private sector experience and understand the dynamics when it comes to demand activation for PURE solutions. Need to have training experience to rural communities and development agents in the use of SWP.

Additional Skill:

• Strong skills in facilitating learning processes, producing knowledge products, and leading course material development activities.
• Excellent negotiation and diplomatic skills.
• Excellent writing, communication, facilitation, and analytical skills.
• Experience in working in international and national organisations (public and private) 
• Fluency in English is required
• Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply

Competencies

• Problem analysis
• Coaching
• Result orientation
• Persuasiveness

Additional Information

Contract Type: National

Expected start date: August 2026

Duty Station:  Arba Minch, Ethiopia

Contract Duration: The contract is for one year, with the possibility of extension based on performance and budget availability.

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 16th  of July 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.

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