Fund Management and Private sector Investment Advisor- FRESHWAY Project- (Contingent upon funding approval）

Key Responsibilities

Design & Operationalisation of the Innovation Fund and grant scheme

• Lead the full setup, operational design, and implementation of both schemes, ensuring alignment with the project’s objectives, donor compliance and Ethiopia’s horticulture context.
• Develop eligibility criteria, scoring frameworks, selection processes, disbursement protocols, milestones, and reporting templates for grantees

Technical & Business Capacity Support to Grantees

• Provide (or coordinate) technical assistance to grantees on business plan development and specific TA.

Technical Leadership in developing, implementing and monitoring PURE financial instruments

• Provide high-level technical advisory services on the deployment of financial instruments and their applications in supporting PURE solution providers, such as in solar-powered irrigation, cold storage, biodigesters/bioslurry and energy-efficient agro-processing.
• Lead business plan competitions, to identify PURE solutions which can be piloted under the Innovation Grant Facility.
• Support the development of business models and financing mechanisms to scale identified horti logistic solutions.

Gender, Youth & Social Inclusion in Innovation

• Ensure that innovation fund recipients intentionally target women, youth, and marginalised groups in access, affordability, and business participation.
• Embed inclusive design principles in product features, financing mechanisms, and distribution strategies.

Basic Qualifications: 

• Minimum of a Bachelor's degree in Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics, Logistics, or a related field, with demonstrated knowledge of horticulture value chains and postharvest systems.
• A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience with a Bachelor's degree is required. A Master's degree is preferred.
• Proven experience of a minimum of 3 years’ experience managing, implementing, and/or supervising financial instruments, including grant schemes targeting private sector.
• Demonstrated experience in managing EUR 1 million plus, innovation grant facilities, preferably in horticulture.
• Good knowledge of business principles and being able to develop business models and apply the business canvas.
• Working knowledge of agrologistics systems, including aggregation, cold storage, transport, and market linkages within horticulture value chains.
• Experience in evaluating business plans and supporting SMEs in accessing finance, with strong understanding of commercial viability in agri-food systems.
• Strong analytical and reporting skills, with experience in tracking grant performance, financial utilisation, and results against project indicators
• Good communication skills in English, both written and spoken, with excellent reporting facilitation and presentation skills.
• Excellent business analytical skills.
• Pro-active and solution driven.
• Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply

Competencies:

• Problem analysis
• Coaching
• Focus on quality
• Focus on quality
• Result orientation
• Persuasiveness

Additional Information

Contract Type: National

Expected start date: September 1,2026

Duty Station:  Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Contract Duration: The contract is for one year, with the possibility of extension based on performance and budget availability.

How to Apply
If you believe that your credentials meet the outlined profile, we invite you to apply by uploading your CV and a letter of motivation before/on the 16th of July 2026. Please submit your application only via Smart Recruiters. All information will be kept in the strictest confidentiality. 
If we see that your experience and skills match the requirements of the position, we will contact you to advise on the next steps in the recruitment process.

Working at SNV  
SNV offers a challenging work environment, opportunities to lead and innovate, and a commitment to growing your skills in a fulfilling and diverse working environment. Our staff benefit form and contribute to, an internal and global network of experts.

At SNV, inclusivity is at the heart of our ethos. We celebrate the diversity of our workforce and uphold a policy of non-discrimination based on factors such as disability status, religion, ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, and more.

Vetting
SNV carries out rigorous background and reference checks concerning possible safeguarding incidents for all candidates applying for both national and International determined positions. As SNV participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme, all reference checks include a request to past employers to fill in a questionnaire regarding Misconduct (sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment), the “Statement of Conduct". This Statement of Conduct adopts the definitions used in the Scheme.  

SNV is an equal opportunities employer and female candidates are encouraged to apply.

We do not appreciate third-party mediation based on this advertisement.