EWNRA, with financial support from Cooperative Development Foundation (CDF) Canada, is implementing a project entitled: “4R Nutrient Stewardship”. The overall goal of the project is to improve agricultural productivity and sustainability for smallholder farmers (male and female). The project supports smallholder farmers (male and female) through their Cooperatives (Multipurpose and SACCOs) in addressing the fundamental causes of food insecurity, while laying the foundation for long-term economic prosperity. Currently, EWNRA is looking for a qualified and experienced professional that can support Cooperatives and their members in Business development and Finance management.  Interested candidates who fulfil the following requirements are invited to apply for the vacant post.

Under the supervision of and being accountable to the Project Coordinator, the Business development and Finance management officer will be responsible for project activities as specified below.

Business development related responsibilities

• Analyse the current business status of cooperatives, efficiency, customer base and identify potential business opportunities,
• Develop and test useful business strategies and plans for cooperatives for creation of new and innovative opportunities,
• Build strong partnership within cooperatives and connects them with customers/stakeholders and outside business to widen business opportunities and benefits for cooperatives
• Collaborate with colleagues and technical team of the project on the marketing and product development to improve overall market base, demand and customer satisfaction,
• Contact potential clients to establish rapport and arrange business meetings,
• Plan and oversee new marketing initiatives for commodities of cooperatives/farmers,
• Track or research business organizations and individuals to find new opportunities,
• Endeavor to increase the value of current customers while attracting new ones,
• Prepare business training packages for farmers and/or cooperatives and train cooperative leaders and members on business and business development and continuity,
• Asist farmers and cooperatives in preparation and implementation of business plans,
• Support the Coops and Value Chain Actors to have viable business focus with strong leadership, management and financial systems,
• Assess and provide a sound market information/ communication system among the Value Chain actors to communicate demand and supply forces on time

• Prepare and share business performance and progress reports and keep records

FINANCE RELATED RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide financial and administrative support to cooperatives to ensure business profitability and sustainability,
• Asist Cooperatives and members on financial planning and check their accuracy and progress,
• Regularly tracks and guides coops and members on appropriate management of loans, repayments, collection of interests, purchases and fair distribution of loans among members,
• Assess business/investment opportunities and advise cooperatives and members,
• Promote relationships of cooperatives with business and financial institutions, and assist in designing and preparation of development plans
• Regularly supervise transactions and serve as internal auditor of financial management of cooperatives
• Build evidence at field level for advocacy to enhance the access to finance for smallholder farmers
• Train and enable cooperative leaders and members on finance and financial management
• Support SACCOs to prepare monthly, quarterly and annual financial report and share the report with the project office
• Track and update awareness of latest legislative changes that may affect financial planning and management of cooperatives

JOB REQUIREMENT

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Finance, Accounting or related fields,
• 5 years’ experience in business, marketing and finance development is acceptable (working experience with cooperatives is an advantage),
• Familiarity with relevant financial software and Microsoft Office with excellent computer skills
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills/ skills of persuasion (both verbal and written),
• Critical thinking skills, analytical, organized, creatively-minded, good at thinking ‘outside the box’,
• Willingness and ability to travel when necessary to meet with customers and/or stakeholders and build business relationships,
• Experience of NGO and knowledge on Gender are additional advantage.
• Qualified and/or experienced female applicants are highly encouraged.

Additional information

• Duty Station: Arerti Town (130Km from Addis), Minjar Shenkora Woreda, Semien Shewa, Amhara Regional State

• Terms of employment: With 45 days of provisional period for one year contract with possibility of renewal for additional three years on annual basis.
• Only short-listed applicants will be contacted,

Closing date:  10 consecutive days after this announcement is posted on the News Paper

Please send your application to EWNRA Head Office to the following address:

• Only CVs should be sent in digital form through the email address (Email: [email protected] and [email protected]
• All other supporting documents (copies of credentials) should be sent through post office ( P.O. Box 1518 code 1110 Ethio Wetlands and Natural Resources Association, Addis Ababa