About the Organization
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 catalyzes 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, mission, and strategy, which set out our aspirations and commitments as our compass towards 2030.
For more information on SNV, please refer to our website:
www.snv.org
.
Job Summary
Drawing on the achievements and lessons of the Horticultural Livelihoods, Innovation and Food Safety in Ethiopia (Horti-LIFE) programme, Horti-LIFE Green Growth supports the sustainable transformation of Ethiopia's horticulture sector by integrating Productive Use of Renewable Energy (PURE) solutions into horticultural value chains. The programme promotes technologies such as solar-powered irrigation, solar drying, cold storage, and biodigesters to improve productivity, reduce post-harvest losses, strengthen climate resilience, and lower environmental impacts. Implemented by SNV in close collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, regional governments, private sector actors, financial institutions, and training centres, Horti-LIFE Green Growth combines proven extension approaches, market systems development, and renewable energy innovations to increase incomes, create jobs, improve food and nutrition security, and contribute to Ethiopia's green growth agenda.
The Horticulture Market Development Advisor is responsible for strengthening inclusive and sustainable horticultural market systems that improve the competitiveness, profitability, and resilience of farmers, farmer organisations, agribusinesses, and service providers. The advisor will lead market analysis, identify systemic constraints and opportunities, facilitate market-driven interventions, and support the development of commercially viable business models.
A key responsibility of the position is strengthening farmer organisations and cooperatives to become business-oriented, market-responsive, and export-ready. The advisor will facilitate improved governance, business planning, aggregation, quality management, buyer engagement, and compliance with food safety and certification standards, including local GAP and Global GAP.
The role contributes directly to increased market access, export competitiveness, private sector engagement, and sustainable sector transformation within Ethiopia's horticulture industry.
Key Responsibilities
Market Systems Development
Conduct market systems analyses to identify constraints, opportunities, incentives, and leverage points within targeted horticulture value chains.
Design and facilitate market development interventions that stimulate sustainable market-led solutions rather than direct project delivery.
Identify opportunities to strengthen supporting functions such as embedded services, access to finance, logistics, market information, input supply, and aggregation.
Facilitate collaboration between producers, buyers, exporters, service providers, financial institutions, and government stakeholders.
Market Studies and Research
Lead and coordinate value chain studies, market assessments, market intelligence exercises, and business opportunity analyses.
Conduct assessments of domestic, regional, and international market opportunities for horticultural products.
Translate research findings into practical interventions, business cases, and investment opportunities.
Farmer Organisation Strengthening and Export Readiness
Facilitate the development of commercially oriented farmer organisations capable of engaging with domestic and export markets.
Strengthen aggregation, traceability, record keeping, quality assurance systems, and contract management.
Facilitate linkages between producer organisations and exporters, off-takers, processors, and retail markets.
Develop roadmaps and improvement plans that help farmer organisations progress towards export readiness.
Food Safety, Quality Assurance and Certification
Lead technical support related to food safety requirements and certification schemes.
Support farmer organisations, exporters, and agribusinesses to comply with Local GAP and Global GAP requirements.
Coordinate training and coaching related to food safety, post-harvest handling, quality management, and certification compliance.
Liaise with certification bodies, exporters, government agencies, and technical service providers.
Knowledge Development and MEAL
Generate and disseminate lessons learned and best practices on market systems development and export market development.
Contribute to programme learning, innovation, and adaptive management processes.
Produce technical reports, case studies, market briefs, and knowledge products.
Contribute to annual planning, budgeting, and reporting processes.
Provide technical backstopping to regional teams and implementation partners.
Required Qualifications
Basic Qualifications and Experience
Master's degree in Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics, Horticulture, Rural Development, International Trade, or another relevant field.
Minimum 7 years of relevant experience with a Master's degree or 9 years with a Bachelor's degree.
Demonstrated experience implementing market development approaches in agriculture or horticulture.
Required Skills and Competencies
Proven experience conducting market studies, value chain analyses, feasibility studies, and market assessments.
Proven experience strengthening farmer organisations, cooperatives, and producer businesses.
Demonstrated experience supporting export market development and market linkages.
Practical experience with food safety management systems and certification processes.
Proven experience supporting Local GAP and Global GAP certification processes.
Experience engaging with exporters, buyers, agribusinesses, service providers, and financial institutions.
Experience working in donor-funded programmes and multi-stakeholder environments.
Strong understanding of Ethiopia's horticulture sector and export market dynamics.
Excellent networking and relationship management skills.
Ability to translate complex market information into practical interventions.
Fluency in English, both written and spoken, with excellent reporting facilitation and presentation skills.
Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.