Nuru International Ethiopia-Cooperative and Agribusiness Development Program Officer

Established in 2012 and headquartered in Arba Minch, Nuru Ethiopia works closely with farmers, cooperatives, unions, government institutions, private sector actors, and civil society organizations. Its work focuses on developing sustainable farmer-owned agribusinesses, strengthening market systems, improving livelihoods, enhancing food security, and increasing communities' resilience to climate change and other shocks.

Guided by the vision of a world without cycles of unjust poverty, Nuru Ethiopia equips communities to unlock their economic potential through locally designed and sustainable solutions.

Nuru Ethiopia is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and respectful workplace. The organization strongly encourages qualified women candidates to apply.

Position Summary

The Cooperative and Agribusiness Development Program Officer is responsible for implementing the overall goals and objectives of Nuru Ethiopia's Cooperative and Agribusiness Development Program.

The officer will facilitate training for cooperative leaders and key staff, provide on-the-spot technical support, support the development of business services to diversify cooperative revenue streams, and guide cooperatives through professionalization processes.

The position also involves collaborating with cooperative societies, technical teams, and local government partners to develop showcase cooperatives, establish financially sustainable business models, and ensure timely collection, organization, and reporting of monitoring data.

The officer will promote organizational development, accountability, high performance, innovation, and Nuru Ethiopia's mission, values, and development approaches.

Key Responsibilities

1. Cooperative Strengthening and Professionalization

Identify showcase primary cooperatives across unions and mobilize them to establish active cooperative business relationships.

Work with government cooperative officers to update operational policies and standard operating procedures to improve enterprise performance.

Establish and standardize financial and operational documentation, including ledgers, vouchers, receipts, and reporting templates.

Coordinate with local government to ensure that mandatory legal documents, registries, and regulatory filings are properly maintained.

Support cooperative systems strengthening by implementing internal policies, bylaws, and operational procedures in line with national cooperative proclamations and regulations.

Work with cooperative leaders and local partners to develop mobilization campaigns that encourage active member participation.

Conduct agricultural value chain and market gap assessments and develop competitive marketing strategies.

Identify operational, market, and climate-related risks and develop mitigation strategies to protect cooperative members' investments and business assets.

Advise cooperative unions on strategies to improve the profitability of primary cooperatives and establish transparent, equitable commercial partnerships.

Conduct regular field-based supportive supervision and performance monitoring in collaboration with cooperative promotion experts and union management teams.

Facilitate annual financial audits and SCOPE Insight assessments in partnership with cooperative offices and Nuru Ethiopia's Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) team.

Provide technical expertise in cooperative development and agribusiness to the Program Manager and other organizational teams.

Represent Nuru Ethiopia in negotiations with cooperative leaders and support the preparation, implementation, and monitoring of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs).

Promote Nuru Ethiopia's mission and core values among cooperative leaders, member societies, and local government stakeholders.

2. Training and Development for Cooperative Leaders and Members

Conduct cooperative capacity assessments and Training Needs Analyses (TNA).

Deliver training on cooperative governance, bylaws compliance, strategic planning, and leadership succession.

Provide practical training on crop aggregation, grading, post-harvest handling, storage management, and quality control.

Facilitate financial inclusion training for cooperative leaders and women.

Coach cooperative leaders in contract negotiation, collective bargaining, and establishing business relationships with institutional buyers, processors, and national markets.

Guide cooperative leaders in preparing agribusiness plans, cost-benefit analyses, and loan proposals to improve access to agricultural finance.

Provide coaching on operational management, transparent decision-making, member equity management, and conflict resolution.

Conduct regular field coaching visits to monitor the application of newly acquired skills.

Facilitate experience-sharing events for cooperative leaders.

Support cooperative societies in engaging with donors and partners during visits.

Facilitate monthly virtual meetings among local government partners, cooperative managers, and key staff.

Organize meetings between cooperative leaders and value chain actors to strengthen business networks.

Develop and share success stories and best practices to promote cooperative businesses and organizational visibility.

Track capacity-building indicators and pre- and post-training performance, document lessons learned, and update development plans.

3. Reporting, Communication, and Documentation

Identify areas where cooperatives need technical assistance, professional development, or training and report findings to the Cooperative and Agribusiness Development Program Manager.

Report on cooperative progress in training and business extension, revolving fund management, membership database management, market linkages, and showcase cooperative development.

Prepare and submit weekly and monthly work plans and reports.

Inform Nuru Ethiopia about gender-related issues and awareness needs in its operational areas.

Participate in weekly team meetings and one-on-one meetings with the Program Manager.

Attend required organizational training.

Perform other duties assigned by the Program Manager.

Job Requirements

Educational Qualification

Bachelor's Degree or above in any of the following fields:

Cooperative Business Management

Cooperative Marketing

Development Management

Business Management

Agricultural Economics

Agricultural Extension

Agribusiness and Value Chain Management

Other related fields

Work Experience

At least five (5) years of practical experience in cooperative development, particularly agricultural cooperatives.

At least three (3) years of experience working with rural cooperatives.

At least two (2) years of experience working on International NGO projects.

Experience in cooperative establishment, delivering cooperative-related training, and cooperative Business Development Services (BDS) activities.

Additional Competencies and Skills

Good understanding of Ethiopian cooperative development, the poverty cycle, rural livelihoods, and NGO programme cycle management.

Excellent interpersonal communication, presentation, negotiation, and decision-making skills.

Ability to travel frequently to Nuru Ethiopia's operational areas in South Ethiopia.

Ability to work under pressure, independently, and with limited supervision.

Fluency in English and Amharic.

Knowledge of local languages spoken in South Ethiopia is an advantage.

Knowledge and experience of the operational area are advantageous.

How to Apply

Interested applicants who meet the minimum requirements should submit the following documents electronically:

A detailed CV of no more than three (3) pages.

A cover letter of no more than one (1) page.

Email:Telaye2011@gmail.com

Email Subject: Cooperative and Agribusiness Development Program Officer

Application Deadline: November 15, 2026

Important Notes

Female applicants are highly encouraged to apply.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted by telephone after the application deadline.

Applicants invited for a written examination or interview are responsible for covering their own travel costs.

Nuru International Ethiopia is committed to equal employment opportunities without discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, or disability.

Qualified applicants are encouraged to submit their applications before the deadline.