Hiring Now: Lersha Agent Associate

Job Summary

The Lersha Agent Associate will oversee all Super Agents and Lersha Agents within their assigned region. They will ensure that field operations run efficiently, agents meet performance targets, data is accurate, and service delivery meets Lersha’s standards. The Associate acts as a key link between regional field operations, partner institutions, and Lersha’s headquarters.

Department: Market and innovation

Reports to: Agent Manager HQ

Location: Jimma (Oromia Region) -Assela (Arsi Zone, Oromia Region) -Tigray (Mekelle Office)

Employment Type: Full-Time (with frequent field travel to surrounding woredas and kebeles)

Key Responsibilities

• Supervise,mentor, and support Super Agents (woreda level) and Lersha Agents (kebele level) across the assigned region.
• Oversee recruitment, onboarding, and activation of new agents according to Lersha’s procedures.
• Conduct weekly and monthly performance reviews using Lersha’s agent dashboard and field reports.
• Identify low-performing agents and develop improvement plans or replacements as needed.
• Ensure all agents follow Lersha’s code of conduct, customer service standards, and data protocols.
• Deliver regular training and refresher sessions on:
• LershaApp and DC Portal use
• Customer engagement, farmer data collection, and financial transactions
• Agronomic best practices and post-harvest services
• Build the technical and leadership capacity of Super Agents to mentor kebele agents.
• Collaborate with Lersha’s IT and Product teams to ensure agents stay updated on new digital features and system updates.
• Track and verify; -Number of active agents and farmers serve -Input and mechanization service requests 
• Finance and payment activities 
• Advisory messages delivered
• Conduct periodic data quality audits and on-site verification in kebeles.
• Compile weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports for submission to the Regional Project Coordinator and HQ.
• Ensure agent data aligns with M&E and digital dashboards.
• Strengthen local relationships with;
• Woreda and kebele agriculture offices
• Cooperatives, unions, agro-dealers, and mechanization service providers
• Development partners (AGRA, Farm Africa, IFC, Mastercard Foundation, PxD, etc.)
• Facilitate collaboration and promote Lersha’s digital ecosystem among public and private actors.
• Represent Lersha in regional coordination platforms, workshops, and review meetings.
• Plan and coordinate field visits, demonstrations, and agent-led campaigns.
• Oversee logistics for agent mobilization, training sessions, and awareness events.
• Ensure agents have proper field materials, branding items, and digital tools (smartphones, SIMs, data access).
• Work closely with the Operations, Finance, and HR teams to support agent incentives, payments, and contracts.
• Ensure consistency in farmer engagement, service quality, and digital data accuracy.
• Promote adoption of climate-smart agriculture, input traceability, and digital advisory services.
• Collect farmer success stories and field insights for communications and donor reporting.
• Identify and address operational bottlenecks promptly.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Extension, Rural Development, Horticulture, Plant Science, Livestock Production, Animal Science, or related fields.
• Additional training or certification in Digital Agriculture, Field Coordination, or Project Management is an advantage.
• Minimum 1–5 years of relevant experience in agricultural field coordination, agent or farmer network management, or project implementation.
• Proven experience managing decentralized teams or field networks.
• Solid understanding of Ethiopian agricultural systems, including mechanization, inputs, post-harvest, livestock, and financial linkages.
• Strong skills in data collection, digital reporting, and use of mobile technology tools (Lersha App or similar).

Regional Language Requirements

• Jimma: Fluency in Afan Oromo (spoken and written) and Amharic is required.
• Assela: Fluency in Afan Oromo and Amharic is required.
• Tigray (Mekelle): Fluency in Tigrigna and Amharic is required.
• English proficiency is a plus across all regions for reporting and coordination with HQ.

Core Competencies

• Strong leadership and supervisory skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.
• Data-driven and a tech-savvy mindset.
• Proven ability to work independently and under pressure.
• Problem-solving, conflict resolution, and coaching skills.
• Commitment to teamwork, ethics, and community impact.

Skills Required:

• Agricultural / Studies
• Animal / Science / Veterinary
• Applied / Natural / Science
• Social / Science / Project / Management / Development