Project Associate -Amhara Region

Solidaridad is a global civil society organization (CSO) that provides market-driven solutions for sustainable production practices across different supply chains. We envision a world in which all we produce, and all we consume, can sustain us while respecting the planet, each other, and the next generations. Our mission is to bring together supply chain players and engage them with innovative solutions to improve production, ensuring the transition to a sustainable and inclusive economy that maximizes the benefit for all stakeholders.

Climate Resilient Opportunities for Sustainable Livelihoods project ( CROS+)

Solidaridad Ethiopia is launching a new project, the Climate Resilient Opportunities for Sustainable Livelihoods (CROS+) initiative, in the Minjar Shenkora district of the Amhara Region. This three-year project (2025-2027), funded by Badische Anilin und Soda Fabrik (BASF), aims to improve the productivity, income, and climate resilience of communities through the promotion of improved agricultural practices, efficient resource management, and economic empowerment activities across five Kebeles in the district.

The proposed interventions involve facilitating access to quality inputs and innovative technologies, providing training and capacity building for extension agents and farmers, strengthening Farmers Training Centres (FTCs), demonstrating climate-smart practices, and establishing, strengthening, and supporting primary cooperatives, with a focus on gender and social inclusion—particularly women and youth groups.

Position Overview

The Project Associate (PA) will be based in the project field office in Arerti Town, Minjar Shenkora district, and will be responsible for the successful implementation of the CROS+ Project day to day ground implementtion in the field.S/he will support the overall operation of the project by coordinating closely with key staff from the country office, including the Senior Project Officer(SPO), Project Manager, Project Monitoring and Evaluation (PMEL) Officer, and other team members.

Under the coordination of SPO, the PA will be responsible for conducting capacity building for stakeholders, private sector actors, and key participants in the project. S/he will provide technical guidance, direction, and capacity strengthening to project participants and partners to enhance program quality and impact. Additionally, the PA will support the SPO in monitoring and documenting the progress of CROS+ activities through field visits, reports, and the provision of constructive feedback.

Main objective of the function

The PA supports the development and implementation of project plans, policies, and solutions. The PA also contributes to issue resolution and escalation, research and analytic activities, and planning and monitoring activities.

Organizational position

The PA reports to the Senior Projects Officer at the national and regional levels and works closely with the Project Manager at the country level. The Project Associate works closely with the Project Officers, Senior Project Officers, Project innovation theme advisors, and the quality function teams. The PA will coordinate people and processes to ensure that the Project is delivered on time and produce the desired results. S/he will also actively participate in business development activities.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Participate actively in the coordination and execution of extension activities, including field days, agricultural shows, field demonstrations, and farm visits, to promote knowledge transfer and stakeholder engagement.
• Assist in the development, delivery, and periodic review of training curricula to ensure content remains relevant, effective, and aligned with project objectives and stakeholder needs.
• Analyze project data systematically to identify opportunities for enhancing training programs, optimizing project impact, and informing strategic decision-making.
• Contribute to collaborative research initiatives aimed at advancing project goals, fostering innovation, and promoting evidence-based practices within the agricultural sector.
• Support efforts to establish and strengthen partnerships with local authorities, development agencies, and other stakeholders to enhance the value chain of targeted commodities across project activities.
• Engage closely with farmers’ cooperatives and associations to identify opportunities, assess risks, and develop strategic approaches that facilitate successful project implementation.
• Assist in establishing, maintaining, and upgrading project hardware and technological infrastructure to ensure operational efficiency and sustainability.
• Support the operationalization of project strategies, ensuring alignment with approved implementation frameworks and organizational standards.
• Provide technical guidance, mentorship, and support to project teams and stakeholders to enhance capacity, improve performance, and ensure adherence to best practices.
• Facilitate the dissemination and adoption of project technologies, innovations, and best practices among target beneficiaries and stakeholders.
• Contribute to the preparation of comprehensive monthly project reports, budgets, and work plans, ensuring compliance with Solidaridad’s planning processes and schedules, and ensuring timely submission.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of project data, support data collection and analysis efforts, and ensure proper data storage and management to inform ongoing and future project activities.
• Monitor project activities closely to ensure timely execution among program stakeholders, with a focus on achieving both financial targets and programmatic objectives.
• Attend to additional individual and group assignments as delegated by the organization, demonstrating flexibility and commitment to organizational goals.

Knowledge and experience

• A Bachelor’s degree or higher in a relevant field such as Agriculture, Climate Change, Animal Science, Development Studies, Project Management, Strategic Management, or other related disciplines, with demonstrable hands-on experience at the ground level.
• A minimum of three (3) years of professional experience within Ethiopia, preferably within the specified or related sectors, demonstrating a solid understanding of local dynamics and operational contexts.
• In-depth knowledge of the policy environment, stakeholder landscape, and key issues affecting the agriculture and/or agribusiness sectors in Ethiopia.
• Proven leadership and team management skills, with experience supervising small teams at the community or ground level.
• Fluency in both spoken and written English is mandatory; proficiency in additional local languages of the project area is highly desirable.

Specific job requirements

• Demonstrates strong adaptability and stress management skills
• Proficient in time management and organizational skills
• Analytical thinker with exceptional problem-solving abilities
• Multi-skilled professional with robust multi-tasking capabilities.
• A dedicated team player with a high level of self-motivation, capable of setting and achieving strategic goals.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, fluent in local languages
• Experienced in program administration, including operating procedures, oversight, and monitoring t
• Holder of a valid driving license, particularly for motorcycles, with a willingness to travel and drive as required.