Dairy R&D Coordinator

Position:      Dairy R&D Coordinator

Project:        Building Rural Income through inclusive Dairy Business Growth in Ethiopia (BRIDGE+)

Duty station: Addis Ababa, with occasional travel to regions

Duration:     Starting from November 1, 2026, subject to annual renewal based on performance and availability of funding

Reports to:  Country Representative of SWR Ethiopia.

Background

Stichting Wageningen Research Ethiopia (SWR Ethiopia) is an international NGO registered with the FDRE Agency for Civil Society Organizations in Ethiopia since March 2021. The organization is established with the objectives of promoting a more resilient, inclusive and sustainable food system in Ethiopia. SWR Ethiopia will implement the Dairy R&D Component of BRIDGE+ program, as member of a consortium of SNV Ethiopia, Wageningen UR, and Agriterra.

The BRIDGE+ program

The BRIDGE+ program is a six-year, systemic intervention (2023–2029) being implemented in two phases, first phase, from 2023 to 2026 and second phase, from 2027 to 2029, aiming at supporting the transformation of Ethiopia’s dairy sector into a professional, inclusive, and market-led value chain.

Position summary

The Dairy R&D Coordinator will coordinate and implement activities within the R&D component, one of ten program components of BRIDGE+. It supports sector transformation by generating targeted, practice‑oriented evidence that strengthens BRIDGE+ implementation, informs policy dialogue, and reinforces institutional learning within Ethiopian research and sector organisations. It works with Ethiopian universities, research institutes and professional associations to address priority knowledge gaps. Applied research responds directly to sector needs, informing adaptive implementation, scaling and policy dialogue.

We are looking for

A seasoned professional in Research for Development, with strong experience in the dairy thematic area and in applied research implementation, and proven knowledge of research grant management. Through intensive communication with the BRIDGE+ team and research partners, you coordinate the development and contracting of research assignments with Ethiopian Research Partners (ERPs, i.e., Universities and Research Institutes) and consultants, monitor implementation of research assignments, ensure the quality of the deliverables, and ensure dissemination of findings and deliverables to practitioners and policymakers. At the same time, you coordinate capacity-building activities on applied research skills of research partner staff and graduate students.

Key responsibilities

• Maintain effective relationships with the members of the R&D Coordination Committee (i.e., Wageningen UR and SNV staff responsible for BRIDGE+ R&D coordination), research partners, and the larger BRIDGE+ team to ensure alignment of the R&D agenda, effective coordination of planning and implementation of R&D activities, and regular sharing of research findings and results to stakeholders
• Identify competent research partners to implement action research (AR) activities
• Coordinate development and approval of workplans for agreed AR topics by research partners, including MSc and PhD students
• Research grant management / managing contacts and contracts with research partners for implementation of agreed activities
• Monitor research implementation by partners, ensure timely narrative and financial reporting and submission of deliverables and datasets by research partners, show leadership to ensure active collaboration of research partners
• Ensure quality assurance of AR research and capacity development deliverables
• Coordinate AR research capacity development activities – identify training needs, organize training and coaching of staff and students
• As member of the RCC, contribute to development of annual workplan and reports; ensure timely financial planning and reporting to WLR controller; contribute to BRIDGE+ annual report, knowledge and communication products
• Contribute to professionalization support, strategic research, and other relevant activities under the R&D component of BRIDGE+.

What we ask

We are looking for a result-oriented and proactive professional who is passionate about strengthening Ethiopia’s dairy sector through innovation and evidence-based development. The successful candidate combines strategic thinking with practical problem-solving and is able to build effective partnerships across research, public, private, and development stakeholders. He/she demonstrates:

• Initiative, adaptability, and a strong drive to achieve results
• Excellent networking, coordination, and stakeholder engagement skills
• A strategic and analytical mindset with a commitment to continuous learning
• The ability to lead collaboration, inspire others, and foster institutional learning
• Strong professional integrity and commitment to quality
• A genuine interest in applied and action research, translating research into practical solutions that create sustainable impact in the dairy sector.

Minimum requirements:

• At least a Master’s degree relevant to the dairy sector, preferably in animal production, veterinary science, agricultural economics, food processing, or agricultural extension; a PhD degree is desirable to properly guide action research
• At least 10 years’ relevant professional experience, of which at least 5 years in the dairy sector; this should include experience in coordinating applied research in a relevant field, such as animal breeding, health care or nutrition, feed resources, dairy farming economics, post-harvest handling of milk products, or dairy value chain development
• Experience in applied research, understanding action research principles and operationalization, and familiar with both quantitative and qualitative methods, preferably including private sector collaboration
• Experience in research project management and grant management, with understanding of what it takes to work effectively across organizational boundaries
• Experience working within multi-partner programs involving government, research institutions, private sector actors, and development organizations.
• Proven ability to build a network with senior level researchers in universities and research institutes; relevant network and good relationships within knowledge institutes, public agencies, private sector, and international organizations working in dairy
• Very good communication skills, including proficiency in writing and speaking in English and Amharic language and ability to write and review technical reports
• Ability to work effectively in teams and build bridges across organizational boundaries
• Proficiency in MS Word, MS Excel and MS PowerPoint.

We offer

Depending on your education and work experience, we offer a competitive salary as per the organization scale. At the same time, we also negotiate on the level within the scale depending on your experience. Also important is the package we offer in terms of health insurance, transport allowance and provident fund contribution in addition to our pension contribution.