Senior livelihood specialist

JOB TITLE: Senior livelihood specialist

REPORTS TO: Deputy Head of programmes

STAFF REPORTING TO POSTHOLDER: None

LOCATION: Addis Ababa with frequent travel to intervention sites of Farm Africa

DURATION: May 2026 to April 2029

SALARY: GBP 1221

CONTRACT DURATION: Annual contract with 60 working days probation period, extension based on the successful performance and fund availability

BACKGROUND

Farm Africa, founded in 1985, is an international non-governmental organization working in Ethiopia since 1988. We drive agricultural and environmental change to improve lives. Our strategy has three pillars: agricultural expertise, management and preservation of ecosystems, and the power of business to drive prosperity. We believe Africa has the power to feed itself and are helping make this happen by establishing and spreading the best farming and forestry techniques so that poor farmers and herders have more food to feed their families and sell. We help smallholders manage their natural resources sustainably so that they can withstand climate change challenges and shocks and ensure their families have enough food in the future as well as now. Farm Africa works in partnership with communities, government, local and international organizations, and the private sector to innovate, learn and share best practices for the maximum impact of our projects.

Farm Africa is implementing a large number of projects/programmes in the areas of agriculture (crop and livestock), natural resources management and market engagement across Ethiopia. We are increasingly designing and implementing complex and integrated multi-sector projects, some by ourselves and others in partnership with like-minded organizations in the form of consortia. Farm Africa focuses on transforming agriculture and managing natural resources sustainably. We champion a holistic approach that boosts yield, protects the environment, and connects smallholder farmers to thriving markets. We work with different types of farmers in a range of regions. Their local situations vary, but the problems they face are all too familiar: lack of training and technology, inadequate inputs, no finance, vulnerability to climate change, and poor links to markets. We’ll increase our impact, lift more communities out of poverty, work with more corporate partners who share our vision, open up more agricultural markets, provide more expertise, and make change happen. Farm Africa, in partnership with Environment and Coffee Forest Forum (ECFF), is implementing the ecosystem-based solutions for biodiversity conservation and Resilient livelihoods in the Yayu Coffee Forest Biosphere Reserve and Its Surroundings (ECOR). The goal of the project is to conserve and sustainably manage forests, wetlands, wildlife, and agricultural landscapes in and around the Yayu Coffee Forest Biosphere Reserve, while harmoniously improving the livelihoods and resilience of forest-dependent communities and smallholder farmers.

 

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

The Senior Livelihood Specialist will provide strategic, technical, and operational leadership in the development and implementation of sustainable livelihood, agribusiness, and market systems interventions under the “Ecosystem-based Solutions for Biodiversity Conservation and Resilient Livelihoods” (ECOR) project. The position holder will primarily be based within the ECOR project team at Country Office and will play a central role in ensuring the effective delivery of project objectives in line with integrated landscape and biodiversity conservation approaches.

The role will focus on strengthening inclusive and climate-resilient livelihood systems through forest coffee business development, climate-smart agriculture, non-timber forest products (NTFPs), and high-value crop enterprises. It will emphasize enhancing sustainable production practices, value addition, commercialization, and market integration, while improving household incomes and strengthening producer organizations and community enterprises.

In addition, the specialist will support the development of competitive and sustainable value chains through coffee certification, EUDR compliance, traceability systems, branding, and market promotion initiatives. The role will also contribute to enterprise development, business planning, and private sector engagement, as well as capacity building for communities, cooperatives, government experts, and other stakeholders to strengthen business management and entrepreneurship skills.

The position holder will report directly to the Deputy Head of Programmes and will work closely with senior management of Farm Africa, including programme leads and technical teams, to ensure alignment, coordination, and effective delivery across related interventions and organizational priorities

 

KEY TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Technical Leadership and Programme Development

• Provide strategic and technical leadership in the planning, implementation, and monitoring of livelihood and agribusiness interventions.
• Design and implement sustainable business and market system approaches for forest coffee, NTFPs, climate-smart agriculture, and high-value crops.
• Support integrated landscape management approaches that balance biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, and livelihood improvement.
• Lead the preparation of business development strategies, market assessments, and enterprise development plans.
• Ensure livelihood interventions align with donor priorities, government strategies, and organizational objectives.
• Provide technical guidance and mentoring to project staff, government experts, cooperatives, unions, and community institutions.

2. Forest Coffee Business and Value Chain Development

• Lead sustainable forest coffee business development initiatives across production, processing, quality improvement, and market linkage components.
• Strengthen coffee value chains through improved productivity, post-harvest handling, traceability systems, and market competitiveness.
• Support producer cooperatives, unions, and private sector actors in coffee business management and commercialization.
• Facilitate coffee market promotion activities, including business forums, buyer-seller linkages, exhibitions, and trade engagement platforms.
• Promote coffee branding, product differentiation, and value addition strategies for domestic and international markets.
• Support sustainable coffee certification schemes such as Organic, Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance, and other market-driven standards.
• Provide technical support on EUDR (European Union Deforestation Regulation) compliance requirements, traceability mechanisms, geolocation systems, and sustainable sourcing practices.
• Coordinate with exporters, government institutions, certification bodies, and private sector stakeholders to strengthen sustainable coffee supply chains.

3. Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) and High-Value Crops

• Promote climate-smart agricultural practices that improve productivity, resilience, and environmental sustainability.
• Support the development of high-value crop enterprises with strong market potential and income-generation opportunities.
• Facilitate access to improved technologies, inputs, extension services, and business support services for farmers.
• Strengthen market-oriented production systems and commercialization strategies for smallholder farmers.

4. Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) and Enterprise Development

• Lead the identification and promotion of sustainable NTFP enterprises such as honey, spices, bamboo, gums, resins, medicinal plants, and wild fruits.
• Support value addition, processing, packaging, branding, and marketing of NTFPs.
• Conduct market assessments and identify new business opportunities for community-based enterprises.
• Facilitate market linkages between producers, cooperatives, processors, and buyers.
• Promote sustainable harvesting and environmentally responsible business practices.

5. Capacity Building and Training

• Design and deliver training programmes for communities, cooperatives, producer groups, government experts, and private sector actors on:
  • Coffee business and value chain development
  • Climate-smart agriculture
  • EUDR compliance and traceability systems
  • Cooperative and enterprise management
  • Marketing, branding, and business negotiation
  • Financial literacy and entrepreneurship
  • Sustainable production and certification standards
• Develop technical guidelines, training manuals, and business development tools.
• Strengthen the technical capacity of local institutions and stakeholders to sustain programme outcomes.

6. Market Systems, Branding, and Business Promotion

• Lead market promotion and business development initiatives for livelihood commodities and enterprises.
• Support the development of branding and marketing strategies for forest coffee, NTFPs, and high-value agricultural products.
• Facilitate business-to-business (B2B) linkages, private sector partnerships, and investment opportunities.
• Conduct value chain and market systems analyses to identify constraints and opportunities.
• Promote inclusive business models that enhance participation of women, youth, and vulnerable groups.

7. Partnership and Stakeholder Engagement

• Build and maintain strong working relationships with government institutions, donors, private sector actors, certification bodies, research institutions, and community organizations.
• Coordinate with relevant stakeholders to strengthen policy alignment, technical collaboration, and programme integration.
• Represent the organization in technical working groups, business forums, conferences, and stakeholder platforms.

8. Monitoring, Learning, and Reporting

• Support the development of monitoring frameworks, indicators, and learning systems for livelihood and market systems interventions.
• Monitor programme performance and ensure quality implementation of livelihood and enterprise activities.
• Document lessons learned, best practices, and success stories related to sustainable business development and market systems.
• Prepare technical reports, donor reports, market analyses, and programme updates.

9. Safeguarding & Code of Conduct Responsibilities:

• Comply with and uphold Farm Africa’s Safeguarding Policy, Code of Conduct, and related policies at all times.
• Treat all individuals and communities with dignity, respect, and fairness, promoting a safe and inclusive working environment.
• Ensure that personal and professional conduct does not put beneficiaries, colleagues, or partners at risk of harm or abuse.
• Recognize and report any safeguarding concerns, suspicions, or incidents in accordance with Farm Africa’s safeguarding and reporting procedures.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with beneficiaries, community members, and colleagues.
• Ensure that communications, images, and information about beneficiaries are used responsibly and with informed consent.
• Support the organization’s commitment to preventing sexual exploitation, abuse, harassment, and any form of discrimination.
• Participate in safeguarding training and awareness activities as required.
• Contribute to creating and maintaining a safe working environment for all staff

These essential functions are not to be interpreted as a complete statement of all duties performed. Senior livelihood specialist will be required to perform other job-related duties as required. All work responsibilities are subject to having performance goals and/or targets established.

PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential	Desirable

BSC /MSc degree in one of the following disciplines: Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics, Agronomy, Coffee, Plant science	Familiarity with Ethiopian coffee sector policies and international coffee market systems.
First Degree with minimum of 8 years’ experience or Master’s Degree with minimum of 6 years’ experience in livelihood development, agribusiness, and value chain programmes, preferably in NGOs	Experience of leading a team as a project coordinator
Strong experience in forest coffee business development, coffee value chain management, and sustainable coffee certification systems.	Good understanding of EUDR compliance mechanisms
Strong skills in business development planning, market analysis, market linkage facilitation, enterprise development, branding, and market promotion	Knowledge of climate finance, carbon markets, or nature-based solutions.
Experience delivering technical training and capacity-building programmes for communities and government institutions.

 

Our Values

Investing in smallholder farming is the number one way to combat poverty in rural Africa. Farm Africa is a leading NGO specialising in growing agriculture, protecting the environment and developing businesses in rural Africa.

EXPERT: Expertise and insightful evidence-based solutions are at the heart of everything Farm Africa does.

GROUNDED: Our teams and partners work closely with local communities, engaging them in every level of decision-making.

IMPACTFUL: We deliver long-lasting change for farmers, their families, and the environments they live in.

BOLD: We model innovative approaches and are not afraid to challenge strategies that are failing.