Agrologistics Advisor

Project: RAISE-FS LOGIC

Duration: One year, subject to annual renewal based on performance and availability of funding

Reports to: Project Manager

Background

Stichting Wageningen Research (SWR) Ethiopia is an international NGO registered in Ethiopia since March 2021 with the FDRE Agency for Civil Society Organizations. The organization is established with the objectives of promoting a more resilient, inclusive and sustainable food systems in Ethiopia. SWR Ethiopia currently implements different projects.

Project background and rationale

Agrologistics is one of the underdeveloped sectors in Ethiopia. Insufficiency in refrigerated transporting and storage facilities, capacity gap among actors, high transportation costs, poorly developed infrastructure, coupled with disorganised fleets, contribute to delays in product delivery, increase postharvest losses, reduce product quality, and marketability. Limitations in sorting, grading, and packaging according to the safety standards result in increased rejection of the produce in the international markets.

The RAISE-LOGIC project was developed to address the challenges in the agro-logistics sector and enhance the agri-food sector resilience against market fluctuations, climate shocks and postharvest losses by improving efficiency and sustainability of the logistics systems. The project envisages bringing improvements in the agrologistics sector of avocado, banana, and potato through building the capacity of actors, and scaling innovations and practices that help in maintaining product quality and safety along the supply chain.

The project will focus on building the capacity of chain actors, strengthening the value chains and improving their performance, and supply chain efficiency, ensuring sustainable use of logistics technologies and practices. is anticipated to improve product quality and shelf-life, minimise post-harvest loss, improve market access, and increase actors’ income. Hence, we are looking for a qualified professional who can closely work with project teams, stakeholders and partners to facilitate improvement of the agrologistics system through possible innovations, including capacity building, establishing/capacitating aggregation centres, arranging transportation facilities, managing the supply chain and monitoring efficiency.

Therefore, these Terms of Reference (ToR) outline the project overview, role and responsibilities, required qualifications, and reporting structure for an Agrologistics advisor:

2. Required qualifications and experiences:

Education: MSc degree in supply chain or agro/-logistics management, agriculture value chain or agribusiness development, or related fields.

Work experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in relevant fields,

• Demonstrated experience in supply chain and agro-logistics or logistics management, specifically experience on agricultural commodities such as avocado, banana, potato, mango, papaya, onion, or fruits and vegetables),

• Hands-on experience in creating business linkage, organizing multi-stakeholder platforms and discussion forums in the fruits and vegetables subsector,

• Experience in training and demonstrating the use of improved tools and equipment that minimize harvest and postharvest losses,

• Proven track record in working with the private sector,

• Technical expertise in establishing communication strategies and information sharing mechanisms.

3. Responsibilities and duties

Responsibility: responsible for the strategic planning, establishing collection centres, coordination, and the end-to-end supply chain management of activities.

Planning

• Conduct a comprehensive analysis of the existing agrologistics and value chains for avocado, banana, and potato,

• Analyse supply chain processes, identify bottlenecks and assess opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce losses and costs, and improve service delivery,

• Develop a strategic plan with implementable activities.

Capacity building

• Identify knowledge, technological, and physical capacity and facility gaps

• Provide need-based technical assistance and capacity-building training to stakeholders,

Organizing operation systems

• Establish a sustainable supply chain management system: from field to Mojo cool port, local, and international market destinations,

• Analyse and optimize the supply chain process to reduce costs and improve efficiency,

• Facilitate implementation of standard operating procedures and technologies for harvesting, collecting, sorting, grading, packaging, transporting, and warehousing to maintain product quality and safety.

• Scale best practices and technological innovations to optimize logistics operations.

Quality control and compliance

• Ensure all products adhere to quality specifications and standards throughout the supply chain.

• Oversee product compliance with national and international regulations, quality and food safety standards along the supply chain,

• Demonstrate and encourage use of quality control methods, technologies and tools.

Stakeholder and team management

• Liaise between producers, aggregators, transport and warehouse service providers,

• Establishing sustainable collaboration and coordination among chain actors, partners, and stakeholders,

• Lead and develop the logistics team and manage relationships with third-party logistics providers.

4. Skills and competencies:

Technical: proficiency in a mix of software and complementary skills that enhance operations, analytics, and communication,

Analytical: strong problem-solving and analytical abilities.

Language: Proficiency in English and in one of the local languages in project operation areas is an advantage.

Writing: excellent writing skills and ability to write concise and clear

Management: team building, leadership and organizational skills,

Interpersonal: excellent communication and negotiation skills,

Compliance: knowledge on logistics regulations and safety standards,

Knowledge: expertise in market prospecting and business intelligence, geography of the operation areas, including production and supply routes, marketing destinations, domestic and international ports and hubs.

What we offer

Depending on candidate’s education and work experience, we offer a competitive salary as per the organization the salary scale assigned for the position. We also offer other benefit packages as per the internal HR manual.