Program: Enabling DRE Ecosystem Livelihood in Ethiopia (EDEL)

Type of Engagement: Part-time/Consultancy (Contract)

About the Program

The Enabling DRE Ecosystem Livelihood in Ethiopia (EDEL) program aims to accelerate the adoption of Decentralized Renewable Energy (DRE) technologies to improve the production and productivity of livelihoods. A core focus of the program is co-designing programs with grassroots partners to implement innovative technologies for rural livelihoods in Ethiopia.

To support this effort, One Million Birtu is seeking an experienced Livelihood Expert to provide strategic support and lead Livelihood sector engagement under the EDEL program.

Position Summary

One Million Birtu is seeking a knowledgeable Livelihood Expert to join our team. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of the daily livelihoods and challenges faced by farmers, farmer groups, cooperatives, model farmers, rural microbusinesses, and other rural communities in Ethiopia. This role will involve advising on the identification of opportunities for utilizing decentralized renewable energy (DRE) to enhance rural livelihoods and value chains, supporting technology selection and implementation, and providing critical insights for piloting and scaling implementations.

Key Responsibilities

• Livelihood Analysis: Analyze and understand the daily livelihood challenges of farmers, farmer groups, cooperatives, cluster systems, unions, and rural microbusinesses in Ethiopia.

• Value-chain challenges mapping: Map critical challenges, on and off farm, that can be solved with technologies within diversified value chains in  Agriculture, Animal husbandry, and Microbusiness, such as but not limited to Dairy, Poultry, Horticulture, Grains, Aquaculture, Apiculture, etc.

• Technology Guidance: Provide guidance to the project team on selecting end-user technologies that are suitable for target users, considering local culture, incentives, and needs.

• Needs Assessment: Assess the specific needs of end users regarding technologies, inputs, finance, market access, or other systems.

• Collaboration: Collaborate with the project team to ensure the appropriateness of technologies and financial access for enhancing livelihoods and value chains.

• Partnership Support: Facilitate critical integrations with cooperative, cluster, or other farmer/microbusiness systems under government, NGO, or other stakeholder programs.

• Strategy Development: Contribute to the development of strategies aimed at creating sustainable livelihoods for farmers and small businesses.

Job Requirements

Qualifications

• Experience: Minimum of 10 years of experience in livelihood activities, preferably with a focus on value chain-based sustainable livelihood development. Retired individuals from NGOs or government departments with direct experience working with rural communities are highly encouraged to apply.

• Knowledge and Network: Good understanding and network of agricultural and institutional systems, along with microbusiness systems, including government programs, NGOs, and market linkages.

• Vale-chain expertise Strong insight into the challenges across value chains faced by farmers, farmer groups, cooperatives, unions, and small businesses in Ethiopia.

• Technology Acumen: previous experience in the mechanization of agriculture and other microbusiness-based value chains is a plus.

• Skills: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively within a team and provide actionable insights.

How To Apply

The Livelihood Expert will report to the Program Manager and work closely with the project team. This role requires 50 days of effort. Qualified candidates with relevant experience and networks should submit their CV and supporting documents to info@onemillionbirtu.org, with a copy to bisrat@onemillionbirtu.org.

Job Requirements The role focuses on deep analysis of rural livelihoods, value‑chain challenges, and technology adoption for farmers and microbusinesses across agriculture, animal husbandry, and related sectors. Candidates must possess a decade of experience in livelihood development, strong networks with agricultural and institutional systems, and expertise in value‑chain mapping and technology guidance. How to Apply Submit your CV and supporting documents via email to info@onemillionbirtu.org, copying bisrat@onemillionbirtu.org.