Regional Producer Group Advisor- FRESHWAY Project

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Background of the Project 

FRESHWAY is a four-year project that aims to strengthen Ethiopia’s fruit and vegetable agrologistics system along the Arba Minch–Hawassa–Addis Ababa–Modjo corridor. It focuses on reducing postharvest losses, improving food safety, and attracting private investment in cold chain infrastructure, aggregation, and market linkages, in line with the national Postharvest Management Strategy and growing market demand.

The project combines policy reform, private sector support, aggregation hubs, and skills development to create a sustainable horticulture logistics ecosystem.

Key components include:

• Regulatory strengthening: Supporting the Ethiopian Agricultural Authority to improve food safety systems, including pesticide residue monitoring and the implementation of Ethio GAP standards.
• Market integration: Establishing private sector-led aggregation hubs to link farmers with markets, improve product quality, and increase incomes.
• Export promotion: Supporting selected farms and companies to access regional and international markets, including through the Modjo cool port.
• Capacity building: Enhancing agrologistics training and workforce development through A-TVETs, focusing on cold chains, certification, and postharvest management.

Purpose of the Job

The regional producer group advisor supports the development, of producer groups, cooperatives and links them to the established aggregation hub or directly to large buyers for domestic and export markets. A large part of the role focusses on ensuring that farm produce is meeting the market standards (Ethio and/or Global GAP). In collaboration with the regional BoA, WoA and development agents, technical training is provided to farmers. To strengthen the capacity of the leadership of the groups, cooperatives and farmer unions, leadership and institutional capacity building courses are organised.

In collaboration with the local development agents establish farmer field schools to improve the quality of fruits and vegetables produced and ensure they meet the market requirements. Facilitate specific Ethio and Global GAP training and assist the supported farmer groups, cooperatives and unions in obtaining the required quality certificates.

Targeted learning and exposure visits and buyer/seller engagement: for producer groups to major wholesale markets and large Addis Ababa–based buyers, strengthening understanding of post-harvest handling, grading, and logistics requirements.

Support grading, storage, quality control, and traceability systems while improving post-harvest handling, reducing losses.

• Demonstrates strong practical experience in working with farmer groups, cooperatives, and unions within market systems development (MSD) programmes, including the establishment of effective market linkages between horticulture producers and wholesalers/retailers.
• Has solid experience in aggregation and supply chain models.
• Facilitate planning & implementing project activities with different stakeholders.
• Understands the private sector and issues around availability and quality of horticultural produce
• Engages with and influences external stakeholders on a sub-national level.
• Guiding and mentoring implementing partners in learning and knowledge management practice
• The position requires autonomy in decision-making, facilitation of learning processes and coaching others to strengthen capacity.
• The advisor ensures that producer groups and cooperatives establish sustainable market linkages with both domestic and export markets and successfully obtain Ethio GAP/Global GAP certification.
• The regional producer advisor strengthens leadership within these organisations and enhances their institutional capacity.

• Basic Qualifications: 

   

• Master's (MSc) or Bachelor's (BSc) degree in Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics, or a related field.
• A minimum of five (5) years of relevant professional experience in value chain development, farmer group strengthening, and cooperative development.
• Concrete experience in Market systems development (MSD) projects where market linkages were created between wholesalers/retailers and farmer groups.
• Proven experience in cooperative development and producer group establishment
• Good experience in aggregation and supply chain systems
• Knowledge on post-harvest handling and quality standards such as Global GAP
• Having knowledge on agrologists (cold chain, storage, transport)
• Excellent writing, communication, facilitation, and analytical skills.
• Sound technical horticulture knowledge and being familiar with the farmer field school approach
• High stakeholder engagement and coordination ability
• Familiarity with cluster/ACC approach and aggregation models
• 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
• Focus on quality
• Focus on quality
• Result orientation
• Persuasiveness

Additional Information

Contract Type: National

Expected start date: October 1,2026

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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