Agriterra is an international agri-agency and believes that inclusive economic growth and rural transformation in developing countries is shaped by strong farmers’ organisations and cooperatives. Our mission is to strengthen farmers’ organisations and cooperatives to create long lasting socio-economic impact in rural areas of developing countries, given the importance of effectively organized farmers to sustainably address food security, economic development, resilience to climate change and climate mitigation.

About Job

As Lobby and Advocacy expert you will ensure that the set targets for relevant policy notes to be developed will be achieved, and that the impact of the realized policy changes is measurable. Agriterra expects you to lead the lobby and advocacy agenda of the country team by continuously aiming for tangible results for smallholder farmers. You will have a specific target in terms of policy notes to be written in collaboration with farmers’ organisations, which you are expected to achieve. In order to achieve the objectives, you will utilize your existing network of cooperatives and farmers’ organisations, government institutions, NGO’s, donor organisations, financial institutions, service providers and other stakeholders in the three countries.

Duties

• Lead the lobby and advocacy agenda of the country team
• Develop a lobby and advocacy plan for the country
• Co-develop concrete policy papers with farmers’ organisations and cooperatives
• Form a national lobby and advocacy core team and collaborate within the region
• Make an inventory of on-going activities
• Initiate a scan of possible topics
• Identify trajectories with the highest potential
• Collaborate with other lobby and advocacy focal points in East
• Africa and other regions, business advisors and the liaison officer
• Ensure with close monitoring, advice and practical assistance the implementation of the defined lobby and advocacy trajectories by the partner organisations and the national agriterra business advisors
• Organize workshops, trainings and consultation meetings
• Do desk and field research
• Ensure results in terms of policy changes and donor proposals are achieved and registered
• Develop and manage a network of relevant stakeholders for the lobby trajectories in Ethiopia
• Support the regional acquisition team in East Africa with business development opportunities and grant proposals where lobby interventions are part of the proposition
• Support Business Advisors in the use of Agriterra’s lobby and advocacy training tools (FACT approach) and work closely with Agriterra’s training department and FACT master trainers.

What we have to offer

We offer a challenging position which requires you to show initiative and use your skills to facilitate farmer-led policy influencing in the agricultural sector. At Agriterra, the work environment is collegial and ambitious, and the focus is on achieving results with our partners.

Agriterra is offering a full-time position for a period of one year, with the intention of extending the contract. The working conditions and additional benefits are good. The salary offered will depend on your experience, age and family situation.

Job Requirements

Profile

• Master’s degree in Agricultural Economics, Political Science, or a similar field.
• Proven experience in policy development/policy influencing in the agriculture sector (3-5 years)
• Hands-on attitude, able to deliver high quality policy papers in fluent English
• Strong networking, communication and presentation skills, including the use of internet, social media and relevant ICT platforms
• Experience in working with farmers’ organizations, cooperatives and authorities
• Knowledge of the policy environment of the agricultural sector of at least one of the 3 countries of the region.
• Enthusiastic, focused on results and services
• Takes initiative and communicates pro-actively
• Team player