Coffee Supply Chain Specialist, Ethiopia

We are currently seeking a Coffee Supply Chain Specialist for a USAID-funded Agricultural Growth Program – Agribusiness and Market Development (AGP-AMDe) project in Ethiopia. The AGP-AMDe project in Ethiopia uses a value chain approach to strengthen the agriculture sector, enhance access to finance and stimulate innovation and private sector investment. This flagship program is part of the U.S. Presidential Feed the Future Initiative, which targets poverty-fighting efforts in countries with chronic food insecurity and insufficient staple crop production. The project targeted value chains—chickpeas, coffee, honey, maize, sesame and wheat—were identified for their potential to improve both food security and incomes. Each of these value chains ranks among the top 10 in Africa.

Deliverables:

• Perform an exhaustive study of all historical and current data furnished by the client as it relates to all aspects of the coffee supply chain.
• Gather and assimilate data to identify any trends or tendencies that could be detrimental to Ethiopia’s sales of this coffee and marketing though the value chain.
• Survey sufficient key Ethiopian industry players in all aspects of the trade (including regulatory oversight) to get a thorough understanding of all issues and the mechanics of how coffee is advanced through the supply chain to start to identify trouble spots or bottlenecks that are inhibiting sales of Ethiopian coffee or detracting from the perceived value of the supply.
• This careful review will cover the present market conditions but as well as how changes in the marketing of coffee have evolved from before the establishment of ECX, the formal commodities exchange, during the “honeymoon” phase after it was launched and the current role it plays looking for unforeseen consequences that have disrupted trade.
• Determine how current practices could be better aligned with current international market needs or requirements to make Ethiopian coffee even more competitive in the world market beyond a price adjustment.
• Develop a power point presentation which includes specific recommendations and the rationale clearly stated behind the reasoning.  It will also include various market scenarios and the opportunities and risks that might be entailed under each case.  It will also include an outlook on the coffee market with multi-year price expectations. 
• An Interim progress report will be furnished to allow for review and feedback and an opportunity to provide additional raw data that may be of relevance to the study that previously had been overlooked.

Qualifications:

• Minimum 5+ years of experience working on agricultural development and competiveness projects.
• Master’s degree in relevant agriculture/agronomy technical field.
• Demonstrated understanding of the value chain approach, ideally in an African context.
• Experience with production and post-harvest handling a plus.
• Private sector experience in the Ethiopian coffee industry preferred.  
• Fluency in English required.

Please apply online at http://acdivoca.maxhire.net/cp/?E55465361D43515B7E59192F77571C6A0C627A4B. No phone calls please. Only finalists contacted. Women and minorities encouraged to apply. EOE.

Organization Description

Since 1963 and in 146 countries, ACDI/VOCA has empowered people in developing and transitional nations to succeed in the global economy. Based in Washington, D.C., ACDI/VOCA is a nonprofit international development organization that delivers technical and management assistance in agribusiness, financial services, enterprise development, community development and food security in order to promote broad-based economic growth and vibrant civil society. ACDI/VOCA currently has 79 projects in 35 countries and revenues of approximately $168 million.