Productive Use of Renewable Energy (PURE) Business 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.

S/he works under the supervision of the Horti-LIFE Green Growth Project Manager in Ethiopia, but will work closely with other advisors, mainly the PURE, TVET and Innovation Grant Facility Advisors.

Position Overview

• The PURE Business Expert will work closely with private sector partners to establish, promote, and strengthen a sustainable PURE ecosystem. Key responsibilities include developing and implementing market development strategies, facilitating partnerships, and providing coaching and mentorship to supported enterprises to enhance their business viability and scalability.
• This role will focus on identifying new PURE business opportunities, secure a pipeline of well positioned companies and make the companies ready to tap into the financial instruments.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Leadership in developing, implementing and monitoring PURE financial instruments

• Provide financial and business advisory services to supported PURE companies, such as in solar-powered irrigation, cold storage, biodigesters/bioslurry and energy-efficient agro-processing, and solution providers to improve products/after-sales service quality and reach.
• Lead business plan competitions, to identify PURE solutions which can be piloted under the Innovation Grant Facility.
• 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 sustainable business models and financing mechanisms to scale PURE adoption among smallholder farmers and agribusinesses.

Market System Development & Private Sector Support for PURE:

• Facilitate partnerships/ linkages between technology providers, agribusinesses, financial institutions, and farmers to develop sustainable business models
• Develop strategies to integrate PURE into existing agricultural markets, ensuring inclusivity and benefits for women, youth, and marginalised groups.
• Drive farmer uptake through FFS/extension, targeted marketing, SBCC, and on‑farm demos—ensuring clear value propositions for year‑round production, post‑harvest loss reduction, and soil health.
• Track adoption pathways (awareness → trial → purchase → productive use) and remove bottlenecks at each stage.

Gender, youth, and inclusion

• Embed GESI in product design, outreach, financing, and after‑sales; prioritise women/youth entrepreneurs and track equitable access and outcomes (jobs, income, leadership roles).

Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) for PURE Integration

• Define and report indicators (company performance, adoption, productivity, income, jobs, GESI) and produce case studies/briefs/visuals for donors and stakeholders.
• 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: 

• MSc degree in a relevant field, Business Management, Economics, or another relevant discipline.
• Minimum 6 years of relevant working experience for master’s degree, or 9 years of relevant working experience for a bachelor’s degree.  5 years’ experience in providing business coaching to agri-businesses.
• Demonstrated experience in designing mentoring and coaching programmes, preferably in the PURE market.
• Good understanding of the business challenges in the PURE & Agri business environment.
• Good knowledge of business principles and marketing techniques, good coaching skills.
• Strong leadership skills and experience in partnership development and engaging with a wide range of stakeholders
• Good communication skills in English, both written and spoken, with excellent reporting facilitation and presentation skills.
• Has client and team-oriented attitude and perseveres in complex and challenging task environment.
• Excellent analytical skills.
• Pro-active and solution driven.

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.

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