Coffee Roasting and Production Consultant (m/f)

Sequa gGmbH is a globally operating non-profit development organisation. Since 1991 Sequa has carried out programmes and projects of international cooperation in close collaboration with the German private sector. sequa offers know-how and long-term experience in capacity development for chambers and associations (BMOs), vocational education and training, private sector development and trade promotion. The organization is based in Bonn, Germany. sequa employs more than 100 persons (2025) and reported a turnover of EUR 56 m in 2024.

We are offering a project-based assignment as Coffee Roasting and Production Consultant (m/f)

Assignment Period: January/February 2026 – April 2026

Working time scope: 18 days

Project: SME Support Scheme in the GIZ-Special Initiative “Decent Work for a Just Transition”

Job Code: ETH-1013 Coffee Roasting and Production Consultant

The Project

Within the GIZ Program Special Initiative “Decent Work for a Just Transition”, Sequa implements the “SME Support Scheme targeting growth orientated SMEs” project in Ethiopia. With this, Sequa aims to facilitate business growth and job creation of Ethiopian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) by increasing their competitiveness and productivity so that their products and services will satisfy the demand on local and international markets. A specific focus will be provided for women-owned SMEs, job-creation, and employability training for women.

Benefiting companies receive flexible and demand-oriented funding (management consulting, technical training, financial competence/business plan development, qualification, applied research activities, etc.). A special focus will be on advisory services to improve access to finance. The support scheme is expected to contribute to the change management and business growth of SMEs.

Werka Coffee is a fast-growing specialty coffee shop and restaurant chain founded by Chachi Tefera. Within three years, the company has scaled from a small 10 m² shop to five branches and more than 160 employees. The company now aims to strengthen its upstream value chain by improving:

(a) its coffee bean sourcing, processing, and distribution systems, and

(b) the development of new roasting techniques, brewing methods, and specialty coffee products.

The consultant will support Werka Coffee to establish a high-quality, efficient, and compliant roasting and cupping facility that enhances product consistency, brand differentiation, and operational sustainability.

Objective of the Assignment: To provide technical, operational, and quality-management expertise enabling Werka Coffee to design, set up, and operate a robust in-house coffee roasting and cupping facility, aligned with international best practices, safety procedures, and efficiency standards.

Your Tasks / Responsibilities

Feasibility & Operational Analysis

• Conduct a feasibility assessment for the roasting and cupping facility; Map current sourcing, processing, and storage processes; identify inefficiencies/ improvement opportunities; Benchmark Werka Coffee’s planned production levels against similar Ethiopian SMEs.

Facility Design, Equipment Selection and Procurement Support

• Develop an optimized layout including zoning (intake, roasting, cooling, cupping, packaging, storage).
• Ensure compliance with Ethiopian food safety, ventilation, fire safety, and occupational health requirements; Recommend utilities and environmental controls (airflow, chaff management, temperature stabilization).
• Specify required roasting, cupping, measuring, and packaging equipment, including capacity and performance parameters.
• Provide guidance on evaluating suppliers, maintenance needs, spare parts availability, and lifecycle costs; Support Werka Coffee during negotiation and procurement.

Roasting Process Development and Quality Assurance

• Establish standard operating procedures (SOPs) for roasting, cooling, bean storage, and inventory management.
• Develop roast profiles for core and premium products; provide training for production staff; Introduce protocols for consistency testing and roast curve interpretation.
• Develop a quality assurance framework for cupping, sensory analysis, and batch evaluation; Advise on traceability and documentation from sourcing to final production.
• Train Werka Coffee staff on cupping, defect identification, and specialty grading.

Your Qualifications / Skills

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Coffee Science, Food Technology, Agricultural Engineering, or similar fields.
• Additional certification in Q-grading, roasting science, or sensory analysis strongly preferred.
• Excellent command of Amharic required; English language skills are an advantage.

Your Working Experience

• Minimum 7 years of professional experience in coffee roasting, processing, or speciality coffee production.
• Demonstrated experience in designing or managing coffee roasting facilities; Proven expertise in roast profiling, sensory evaluation, and cupping protocols; Experience in training coffee production teams.