Agribusiness And Market Officer

Job description

RTI International is an independent scientific research institute dedicated to improving the human condition through science-based and technical solutions.

The organization works globally to address complex challenges by integrating expertise across multiple disciplines to deliver impactful solutions for communities, businesses, and governments.

Role Overview

The Agribusiness/Market Officer will support the Food for Progress SunGold project, focusing on strengthening Ethiopia’s sunflower value chain through market-driven approaches.

The role involves working with multiple stakeholders to improve productivity, market access, financial services, and agribusiness development.

Key Responsibilities

Technical

• Map, engage, and monitor farmers, cooperatives, and agribusiness enterprises involved in sunflower production and marketing
• Develop agribusiness enterprises and promote entrepreneurship among farmers and youth
• Support value chain analysis and identify market opportunities and constraints
• Facilitate market access and contract farming arrangements between producers and buyers
• Organize market linkage events such as buyer–seller meetings
• Promote aggregation and collective marketing through cooperatives and cluster farmers
• Support training and capacity-building for farmers and agribusiness stakeholders
• Facilitate access to financing by linking farmers with financial institutions
• Provide technical support in business planning and financial management
• Collaborate with government institutions, private sector actors, and partners
• Support development of digital supply chain solutions

Communications

• Contribute to communication materials such as reports, stories, and blogs
• Document success stories, lessons learned, and best practices
• Perform additional project-related tasks as assigned

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics, Rural Development, Business Administration, or related field with 3 years of experience
• Master’s degree in relevant fields with 1 year of experience
• Experience in agricultural value chain development and market systems
• Experience working with smallholder farmers in extension services and market access
• Experience in business development, entrepreneurship support, and training facilitation
• Strong data collection, analysis, and reporting skills
• Fluency in English and Afaan Oromo (written and spoken)
• Willingness to travel frequently within Ethiopia

Desired Skills and Experience

• Experience with donor-funded agriculture projects
• Experience in pricing negotiations and contract management between producers and buyers

Skills Required:

• Agricultural / Studies
• Sales / Marketing / Business / Management