Cooperative Advisor

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About Agriterra

Agriterra is an international non-profit organisation founded by the Dutch agricultural sector. We are dedicated to strengthening farmer organisations because we believe they are the cornerstone of thriving rural communities. By building on the success of the Dutch cooperative sector, we provide the knowledge, resources, and support farmer organisations need to grow stronger, thrive economically, and create lasting local prosperity.

About the Project

The Farmers Focused Transformation-II (FFT-II) project is a five-year initiative running from January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2030. The project focuses on the avocado, banana, and mango value chains in the Sidama and South regions of Ethiopia. FFT-II aims to strengthen 26 farmer organizations (FOs) and improve the livelihoods of more than 51,000 smallholder farmers by promoting resilient, inclusive, and market-oriented horticulture systems.

FFT-II will strengthen the role of cooperatives in improving productivity, market access, and business performance. The project will enhance cooperative-led production systems and extension services, strengthen market systems, expand cooperative financial services, improve governance and institutional capacity, and support lobbying, advocacy, and policy engagement to create a more enabling environment for horticulture cooperatives and smallholder farmers.

By 2030, the project envisions strong, financially sustainable, and well-governed farmer organizations that drive productivity, value addition, and market integration across the value chain.

About the Job

Agriterra is seeking a Cooperative Advisor to provide expert guidance and coordinate advisory trajectories with reputable fruit and vegetable producing and marketing cooperatives in the South Region around Arba Minch city. The Cooperative Advisor will play an advisory and coaching role in developing and strengthening cooperatives, supporting them to become more professional, competitive, and sustainable.

The Cooperative Advisor will be hired for four months and will support 5–7 cooperatives during the assignment period by working closely with an experienced Agriterra Cooperative Advisor.

Tasks and Responsibilities

Cooperative Advisory Work

• Support the Senior and Medior Cooperative Advisors in assessing and selecting cooperatives.
• Support project implementation with selected cooperatives.
• Conduct advisory work such as scoping studies, cooperative assessments, and development of action plans.

Action Planning and Contract Management

• Assist selected farmer cooperatives in developing annual action plans with Agriterra.
• Prepare and manage contracts between targeted cooperatives and Agriterra.

Implementation and Follow-Up

• Support execution of action plans and follow-up activities.
• Develop performance objectives and coaching work plans with target organizations in collaboration with cooperative advisors and the project lead.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting

• Collect and record project and client data in Agriterra's M&E systems.
• Assist the Project Lead with planning, monitoring, reporting, and evaluation of interventions.
• Prepare timely monthly and end-of-mission reports.

Stakeholder Engagement and Representation

• Maintain strong working relationships with all FFT-II project partners.
• Represent Agriterra in relevant value chain meetings, workshops, consultations, and field visits.

Competencies

Skills:

• Interpersonal skills
• Organizational skills
• Communication skills

Personal Qualities:

• Initiative
• Creative problem-solving
• Team player
• Ability to work under strenuous conditions
• Ability to work independently and within a team
• Multitasking ability
• Positive "can-do" attitude

What Do We Offer?

• A collegial and ambitious work environment.
• Development opportunities, including an education fund.
• Responsibility and freedom to use your skills in dynamic international markets.
• Opportunity to identify and realize new opportunities.
• Full-time employment for four months, with the possibility of extension depending on funding availability.
• Competitive salary based on experience and qualifications.
• Good working conditions and additional benefits.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Development Studies, Climate Change, Environmental Science, Entrepreneurship, Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics, Rural Development, or a related field.

Experience

• Up to 5 years of relevant professional experience.
• Experience with international organizations, NGOs, or agricultural and climate-resilience development projects is preferred.

Technical Knowledge

• Strong knowledge of climate change adaptation and mitigation approaches.
• Experience in Ethiopian fruit and vegetable value chains, especially banana and mango value chain development.
• Experience in climate-smart agriculture, sustainable agricultural practices, resilience building, and environmentally sustainable market systems development.
• Proven experience in market systems development, market linkage facilitation, and value chain assessments and analyses.
• Familiarity with Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) and reporting processes.

Language Skills

• Excellent oral and written English.
• Proficiency in Gamo and other local languages is an added advantage.

Computer Skills

• Strong computer skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.

Other Requirements

• Willingness and ability to travel frequently to field locations.
• Availability to commence work immediately upon selection.

Required Skills

• Communication
• Problem solving
• Teamwork

How to Apply

Apply with a cover letter and curriculum vitae by sending an email to ethiopia@agriterra.org addressed to Habtamu Mekonnen, Country Manager of Agriterra Ethiopia, before June 15, 2026.

Include the vacancy code (Cooperative Advisor) in the email subject.

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