Cooperative Advisor – Lobby and Advocacy Expert

Job Description

Vacancy

Cooperative Advisor – Lobby and Advocacy Expert

Based in: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

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.

With a strong presence in the countries where we work, Agriterra fosters collaboration and long-term impact.

Together, we sow the seeds of change today, for a thriving tomorrow.

About the project

BRIDGE+ is a six-year programme (from November 2023 to December 2029) implemented by a consortium of partners composed of SNV Netherlands Development Organization (lead) and Wageningen University (WUR) and Agriterra, with financial support from the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (EKN).

The overall objective of the BRIDGE+ programme is to contribute to a functioning dairy Value Chain that creates inclusive and sustainable benefits for all its participants, including wider society, with particular focus on smallholder farmers within the mixed farming system.

To attain this objective, the project will operate at three levels:

1. Smallholder farmers: increase benefits from dairy farming.
2. Dairy value chain: improving functioning and food safety.
3. At sector level: strengthening institutional structure.

About the job

Agriterra is seeking a Cooperative Advisor to support its BRIDGE+ project, focusing on business advisory services, lobby and advocacy and additional emerging initiative in the project. In this role, you will provide expert advice, coordinate advisory trajectories with cooperatives, and act as a broker in business deals to strengthen cooperative organizations. You will develop and maintain a strong network of cooperatives, financial institutions, traders, and service providers in the dairy value chain. Your responsibilities include initiating and guiding change processes, lobbying, mediating, supporting negotiations, and structuring business deals.

In addition to advisory services, you will lead Agriterra’s lobby and advocacy agenda within BRIDGE+, developing plans aligned with the BRIDGE+ project policy team and in collaboration with the Agriterra BRIDGE+ project lead. Working with Cooperative Advisors, you will assess ongoing activities, identify key lobbying topics, and prioritize impactful advocacy trajectories. As the Lobby and Advocacy Expert, you will coordinate efforts with farmers’ organizations and dairy cooperatives, conducting research, writing policy papers, organizing workshops, and advising stakeholders. You will collaborate with Agriterra Cooperative Advisors and receive strategic backstopping from the project lead.

Your work will drive measurable policy impact, ensuring policy note targets are met and effectively implemented. Leveraging your network of cooperatives, government bodies, NGOs, donors, and financial institutions, you will push for tangible improvements that benefit smallholder farmers.

This role demands strategic leadership, networking skills, and a results-driven approach to business advisory and advocacy in Ethiopia’s cooperative sector.

In addition to lobby and advocacy, you will provide targeted business advisory and also contribute to the implementation of Agriterra's localization strategy by strengthening local service provision, capacitate local organizations and facilitating access to relevant business development services.

Working in close collaboration with Agriterra Cooperative Advisors, the BRIDGE+ Project Lead, and relevant SNV project colleagues, you will translate cooperative-level challenges into collective advocacy priorities, facilitate engagement with decision-makers, and support the development of practical solutions. The position will also contribute to emerging initiatives aligned with BRIDGE+ objectives.

Duties & Responsibilities

1. Lobby Advocacy

• Lead the lobby and advocacy agenda for the Agriterra BRIDGE+ project cooperative development component.
• Develop a comprehensive lobby and advocacy plan aligned with project objectives, the project workplan, and the broader policy agenda.
• Co-develop policy papers in collaboration with farmers’ organizations, associations and dairy cooperatives.
• Conduct an inventory of ongoing activities to identify key lobby and advocacy issues.
• Initiate a scan of potential topics for impactful advocacy interventions.
• Identify high-potential lobby and advocacy trajectories with Cooperatives and other suitable lobby farmer organizations to drive policy influence.
• Provide close monitoring, advisory support, and practical assistance for the implementation of lobby and advocacy strategies by partner organizations and cooperative advisors.
• Organize workshops, training sessions, and consultation meetings to engage stakeholders.
• Conduct desk and field research to support evidence-based advocacy.
• Ensure tangible results in policy changes and donor proposals, tracking progress and impact.
• Develop and manage a network of key stakeholders to strengthen lobby efforts in Ethiopia.
• Document advocacy outcomes, lessons learned, and evidence of Agriterra's contribution to policy and institutional improvements.
• Provide technical guidance to Cooperative Advisors in identifying advocacy opportunities and integrating relevant policy issues into cooperative development interventions.
• Work closely with SNV BRIDGE+ project colleagues responsible for policy components, supporting sector-wide policy discussions and advocacy.

1. Business advisory service

• Provide business development advice and facilitate change management to help dairy cooperatives unlock their growth potential.
• Enhance the attractiveness of dairy cooperatives to professionals and stakeholders by engaging local and international partners.
• Collaborate with government institutions and stakeholders to drive sector-wide transformation.
• Assist cooperatives and key actors in developing and implementing sustainable business strategies.

1. Localization and Emerging Initiatives

• Support the implementation of Agriterra's localization strategy by identifying and strengthening local service providers, trainers, coaches, and other relevant professionals.
• Facilitate partnerships that improve cooperatives' access to sustainable advisory and capacity development services beyond the project period.
• Support the development and implementation of emerging initiatives and pilots aligned with BRIDGE+ objectives, including partner coordination, implementation follow-up, and documentation of results.
• Contribute concept notes, partnership proposals, and recommendations for improving or scaling successful initiatives.

1. Planning, Monitoring, Reporting, and Coordination

• Develop and implement activity plans for lobby and advocacy and assigned initiatives, aligned with the BRIDGE+ workplan.
• Monitor progress against agreed targets and deliverables and provide timely inputs to project reporting, monitoring, evaluation, and learning processes.
• Coordinate closely with the BRIDGE+ Project Lead, Agriterra Cooperative Advisors, SNV policy colleagues, and other relevant partners to ensure alignment with project priorities and complementarity of interventions.
• Document good practices, lessons learned, and recommendations to inform project implementation and future programming.

Working Relationships

The expert will work under the coordination of the Agriterra BRIDGE+ Project Lead and collaborate with Agriterra Cooperative Advisors, relevant SNV policy colleagues, dairy cooperatives, farmers' organizations, government institutions, local service providers, and other relevant stakeholders.

What we have to offer

• An international, collegial, ambitious, and impact-oriented work environment.
• Developmental opportunities including an education fund.
• In this position you get the responsibility but also the freedom to use your skills in order to operate in dynamic international markets and see and realize opportunities.
• Whenever necessary, you will work in collaboration with other Agriterra and SNV BRIDGE+ staff.
• Agriterra is offering a full-time position till December 31, 2027 with the possibility of extension based on performance and budget availability.
• Additional benefits respecting the country’s legislation and Agriterra’s HR policies and frameworks.
• Wonderful workplace & great colleagues!

Qualification:

Master’s degree in the field of development, political science entrepreneurship, agribusiness, business administration, agricultural economics, or similar (master’s degree is preferred).

Experience and skills

• Minimum 5 years of experience in rural development, business development, market development, and private sector engagement.
• Strong understanding of the cooperative and the agriculture sector in Ethiopia.
• Knowledge of the Ethiopian policy environment in agriculture and dairy.
• Excellent networking, communication, writing, reporting, and presentation skills. Fluent in English (speaking and writing).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with organizational and persuasion skills to motivate teams.
• Business-minded, proactive, detail-oriented, and adaptable to shifting demands and deadlines.
• Results-driven, service-oriented, and skilled in advisory and training.
• Hands-on approach with the ability to deliver high-quality policy papers in fluent English.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and writing skills.
• Independent worker, willing to travel frequently to rural areas.

Required Skills

• Analytical skills
• Technical writing
• Communication
• Attention to detail
• Problem solving

Are you interested in this position, and do you fit the profile?

Apply with a cover letter and curriculum vitae by sending an e-mail to:

ethiopia@agriterra.org

To the attention of Stijn Van Geel, Regional Manager of Agriterra in East Africa.

Application deadline: November 11, 2026.