Duty Station: Addis Ababa (with frequent travel to project sites in Sidama and South Ethiopia Regions) 

Reports to: Country Director (CD)/Deputy Country Director (DCD)

About Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA)

The Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA) is an international non-profit non-governmental organization headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, with Country Offices in four African Countries Uganda, Mali and Nigeria and Ethiopia. SAA is dedicated to catalyzing sustainable agricultural transformation in Africa by supporting smallholder farmers in Africa to enhance food, nutrition, and income security. SAA’s programming is guided by three strategic pillars: Regenerative Agriculture (RA), Nutrition-Sensitive Agriculture (NSA), and Market-Oriented Agriculture (MOA), which together aim to enhance productivity, food security, resilience, and market integration for smallholder farming systems. SAA-Ethiopia, established in 1993, is officially registered with the Ethiopian Authority for Civil Society Organizations (ACSO).

Project Background: The RA–PURE Nexus

The Power for Food Partnership Ethiopia Program, funded by the IKEA Foundation, is designed to transform agri-food systems through the RA–PURE Nexus (Regenerative Agriculture and Productive Use of Renewable Energy). The initiative emphasizes building resilient food systems grounded in equity and inclusion. Implemented by SAA in collaboration with SNV, the program will run from January to December 2026 in Aleta-Wondo Woreda (Sidama) and Denba-Gofa Woreda (Gofa Zone).

The Role

The Program Officer will coordinate and execute project activities at the district level, ensuring that technical solutions for smallholder farmers are evidence-based, sustainable, and integrated with renewable energy technologies

Major Duties and Responsibilities

1. Technical Implementation & Demonstration

• Lead the planning and execution of innovative RA interventions, specifically Conservation Agriculture (CA) and Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM).

• Establish RA and renewable energy (RE) demonstration plots at Farmer Training Centers (FTCs) and host farmer fields.

• Promote and source RE solutions (e.g., solar irrigation, biogas, cold storage, and agro-processing) tailored to local community and MSME needs.

2. Capacity Building & Partnership Coordination

• Organize and deliver technical training for Extension Agents and farmers and MSMEs on maintenance of RE technologies and regenerative farming practices.

• Facilitate strategic linkages between farmers, MSMEs, technology suppliers, and financial institutions (MFIs/SACCOs) to ensure sustainable access to energy and credit.

• Foster synergy with other Power for Food implementing partners and government stakeholders (Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Water & Energy).

3. Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL)

• Conduct regular field monitoring to provide technical guidance to extension staff and host farmers.

• Lead project site selection, baseline data collection, and impact tracking.

• Document best practices, success stories, and "voices from the field" for newsletters, brochures, and training manuals.

4. Project Management & Reporting

• Ensure all project inputs are delivered on time and activities comply with SAA, SNV, and IKEA Foundation policies (including safeguards and neutrality).

• Along with the TC RA, prepare high-quality monthly, quarterly, and annual technical reports.

• Mainstream gender and social inclusion, ensuring women, youth, and PwDs are central to all interventions.

Employment Details

• Duration: 10 months from March- December 2026 (with possibility of extension).

• Salary: As per the organization’s scale

• Closing Date: February 26, 2026.

Job Requirements

• Education: MSc. in Soil Science, Crop Science, Regenerative Agriculture, Agroecology, Natural Resource Management, or a related field.

• Experience: Minimum of 5 years in agricultural outreach, specifically in RA, climate-smart agriculture, or RE-integrated rural development 

• Competencies:

  • Proven experience in multi-stakeholder project management and private sector engagement.

  • Strong background in community mobilization and market linkages.

  • Fluency in written and spoken English; 

  • Proficiency in a variety of PC, laptop and smartphone applications, including database, MS Office, and data analysis software programs

  • Ability to produce clear, concise and sell-structured reports, including data analysis, finding, and actionable recommendations tailored to divers stakeholders.       

  • Willingness to travel frequently to remote project implementation sites.

How To Apply

Interested Ethiopian nationals should submit a one-page cover letter and a CV (max. 4 pages) with three professional references to   saa-ethiopia@saa-safe.org.

Please state “Project Coordinator – Regenerative Agriculture” in the subject line. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Women are strongly encouraged to apply

Job Requirements Master's Degree in Social Science, Agroecology, Natural Resources Management, Agronomy and Crop Science or in a related field of study with relevant work experience How to Apply Submit your application and CV along with supporting documents Via email:  saa-ethiopia@saa-safe.org