Regional Aggregation Hub 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 aggregation hub advisor supports the development, operationalisation, and commercial viability of aggregation hubs, linking producers to markets, improving quality, and strengthening agrologistics systems.

Aggregation Hubs

Contribute to feasibility and scoping studies: Conduct detailed feasibility assessments in priority locations such as Arba Minch, Wolaita Sodo, Butajira, Hawassa, Batu, and Adama. In addition, analyse production volumes, seasonality, market access, logistics connectivity, and investment risks.

Stocktaking and comparative analysis of existing aggregation models: Conduct a systematic review of previously established aggregation centres, including AGP and ATI supported market centres, studies, and private-sector initiatives.

Support the establishment of regional aggregation hubs. Establish efficient logistics linkages between hubs, Modjo Cool Port, and high-end retail and institutional buyers in Addis Ababa.

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. Initial buyer–seller engagement: will be facilitated through structured meetings to clarify demand requirements related to volumes, quality, pricing, and delivery schedules.

Train hub operators, cooperatives, and SMEs on quality standards, business management, and supply planning, and organise multi-stakeholder platforms to strengthen collaboration and build trust across the value chain.

Support grading, storage, quality control, and traceability systems while improving post-harvest handling, reducing losses, and coordinating logistics such as transport, cold chain, and inventory management.

• The hub advisor supports the development, operationalisation, and commercial viability of aggregation hubs, linking producers to markets, improving quality, and strengthening agrologists system.
• Conduct detailed feasibility assessments in priority locations such as Arba Minch, Wolaita Sodo, Butajira, Hawassa, Batu, and Adama.
• Support the establishment of regional aggregation hubs.
• Stablish efficient logistics linkages between hubs, Modjo Cool Port, and high-end retail and institutional buyers in Addis Ababa.
• Train hub operators, cooperatives, and SMEs on quality standards, business management, and supply planning.
• Organise multi-stakeholder platforms to strengthen collaboration and build trust across the value chain.

Basic Qualifications: 

MSc or BSc in Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics

Minimum of 5 years experience in Agribusiness or value chain development

• Concrete experience in Market systems development (MSD) projects where market linkages were created between wholesalers/retailers and suppliers.
• Having worked with cooperatives, SMEs, or producer groups is a plus
• Good experience in aggregation and supply chain systems
• Post-harvest handling and quality standards such as Global GAP
• Having knowledge on agrologistics (cold chain, storage, transport)
• Having worked with setting up digital systems (traceability, data collection) is a great plus
• Excellent writing, communication, facilitation, and analytical skills.
• High stakeholder engagement and coordination ability
• Results-oriented and commercially minded
• Familiarity with cluster/ACC approach and aggregation models
• Understanding of GESI and youth employment approaches
• Experience in working in international and national organisations (public and private) 
• Having worked in the private sector is a plus
• 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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