Project Assistant - FRESHWAY Project

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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.

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Background of the Project 

FRESHWAY is a four-year project that aims to strengthen Ethiopia’s fruit and vegetable agrologists system along the Arba Minch–Hawassa–Addis Ababa–Mojo 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 Mojo cool port.
• Capacity building: Enhancing agrologists training and workforce development through A-TVETs, focusing on cold chains, certification, and postharvest management.

Purpose of the Job

The project assistant, provides comprehensive administrative, logistical, and operational support to the FRESHWAY Project team. The role ensures efficient coordination of procurement, travel, logistics, documentation, and operational processes using SNV systems such as SAP. The position contributes to the smooth implementation of project activities by facilitating timely service delivery, ensuring compliance with organizational procedures, and supporting project events and staff operational needs.

Project Admin and operational support

• Support project staff in operational planning and coordination to ensure smooth implementation of project activities.
• Maintain Coordinate with FRESHWAY technical and management staff to prepare and submit procurement requests, vehicle requests, service requests, and other operational requirements through the SAP system.
• Monitor and follow up on procurement and service requests to ensure timely processing, delivery, and compliance with organizational procedures.
• Facilitate travel arrangements including flight bookings, accommodation, and transportation for project staff, partners, and consultants, ensuring adherence to SNV travel policies.
• Ensure all required supporting documents (invoices, receipts, contracts, travel documents, etc.) are properly compiled and submitted to the finance department to support timely and accurate payment processing.
• Provide administrative and logistical support for national and regional project activities, workshops, meetings, and events, including venue coordination, participant communication, material preparation, and on-site support.
• Support effective communication with internal departments (Procurement, Finance, HR, and Operations) to facilitate efficient service delivery.
• Perform additional administrative and operational duties as assigned by the Project Manager.
• Drafting Terms of Reference (TORs) for project activities in collaboration with project staff.
• Preparing justification memos for contract extensions and other internal communications.

Logistics and event coordination

• Coordinate logistical arrangements for trainings, workshops, meetings, and official events organized under the FRESHWAY project.
• Arrange transportation, accommodation, meeting facilities, and necessary materials for participants and staff.
• Ensure logistical plans are implemented efficiently and in accordance with project timelines and organizational standards.
• Provide on-site logistical and administrative support during events when required.
• Facilitate and prepare DSA payments for participants during project events, workshops, and trainings.

Issue handling and operational support

• Serve as a focal point for administrative and operational inquiries related to procurement, logistics, travel, and general project administration.
• Respond to staff inquiries in a timely and professional manner, ensuring compliance with organizational procedures and service standards.
• Identify operational challenges and escalate issues through appropriate channels to ensure timely resolution.

Data management and documentation

• Maintain accurate and organized filing systems for procurement, logistics, travel, and administrative documents in both physical and electronic formats.
• Ensure proper documentation and record keeping in compliance with SNV policies and audit requirements.
• Enter, update, and monitor administrative and operational data using organizational systems such as SAP and internal databases.
• Track service delivery progress and report any inconsistencies or delays to relevant supervisors.
• Support preparation of administrative and operational reports as required.

• Minimum BA degree in business management and administration, management, or related fields.
• At least 2-3 years of experience in general administration, operations and management, working for an INGO in a development context
• Good communication skills in English, both written and spoken, with excellent reporting facilitation and presentation skills.
• Pro-active and solution driven.
• Good organizational and coordination skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritise workload effectively.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• Good understanding of administrative and operational procedures.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications including Excel, Word, Outlook, and other relevant systems.
• High level of integrity and professionalism.

Additional Information

Contract Type: National

Expected start date: September 1,2026

Duty Station:  Addis Ababa, 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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