Cocoa/Coffee Value Chain Advisor

Job Description

About GIZ

As a service provider in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development and international education work, we are dedicated to shaping a future worth living around the world. We work with businesses, civil society actors and research institutions, fostering successful interaction between development policy and other policy fields and areas of activity. In Sierra Leone, the GIZ has been working since 1963 in the following areas: Employment promotion and agriculture, strengthening the health care system, resource governance and sustainable energy access. 

GIZ is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from individuals regardless of gender, disability, race, ethnicity, religion, age, or any other protected characteristic. We embrace diversity and believe that inclusivity in the workplace is essential to our success and are committed to creating a work environment where all employees are valued and respected. Qualified women are particularly encouraged to apply. 

– Women’s perspectives are vital to our success. 

– Enjoy flexible hours and part-time working opportunities to help balance professional and personal commitments. 

– Benefit from family-friendly policies

The GIZ project “Youth Employment Promotion through Socio-Ecological and Economic Transformation of selected Rural Value Chains” (EET) aims at strengthening MSMEs in selected value chains in Sierra Leone with respect to business and job creation aspects, particularly for women and youth. To this end, the project works in five main fields of action: 

1. Support for MSMEs in selected agricultural value chains: Through a holistic value chain approach, tailored training and coaching as well as different financial support modalities, MSMEs in several agricultural value chains will be strengthened, production facilities optimized, and new products and supply chains developed. Supported value chains are the cassava, vegetables, poultry and cocoa/coffee value chains. The focus is on the creation of jobs for women and young people. 
2. Strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem: Under this output, ministries and the central bank will be advised on improving the general framework conditions for MSMEs and economic growth as well as an improved access to finance for MSMEs. 
3. Women economic empowerment: Women organisations and female entrepreneurs will be strengthened through training and mentoring along the 3R approach focusing on improved access to rights, representation and resources.
4. Improved Market access: Access to markets for agricultural producers, with a particular focus on women and young people, has been improved. 
5. Inclusive TVET Systems: The vocational training system is more gender-responsive and better aligned with the needs of the labour market.

We are advertising the position of “Advisor – Cocoa/Coffee Value Chain” in the EET Project in Bo.

The Advisor – Cocoa/Coffee Value Chain will support the Regional Office in Bo under the Socio-Ecological and Economic Transformation (EET) project in Sierra Leone. You will work closely with the Regional Coordinator to enhance the competitiveness of the cocoa/coffee value chain by providing technical expertise, implementing strategies, and ensuring the inclusion of key stakeholders, particularly women and youth, in value chain development. Your role will be pivotal in improving the business environment and fostering private sector development in the region.

This position requires an expert who can lead technical interventions, coordinate and cooperate with partners, and contribute to the overall success of the EET project in the region.

You are responsible for performing diverse, specialized, and complex tasks within the cocoa/coffee value chain, requiring a high level of technical expertise and advisory skills. This includes strategic planning, budget management, coordination and implementation of activities along the value chain, as well as the monitoring, evaluation, and communication of project outcomes. All activities must be carried out in compliance with GIZ rules and regulations. The role requires a high degree of independence, initiative, and discretion within defined guidelines.

A. Responsibilities 

• You will provide technical advice on the development and improvement of the cocoa/coffee value chain, along all stages of the value chain from sourcing quality inputs to production, processing and marketing. 
• You will build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including farmers, cooperatives, MSMEs, government partners, private sector and civil society organisations.
• You will design and implement capacity-building initiatives aimed at strengthening the technical and business skills of beneficiaries and stakeholders involved in the cocoa/coffee value chain.
• You will develop and promote inclusive strategies that support the active participation and economic empowerment of women in the cocoa/coffee value chain. 
• You will support your Line Manager in budget planning and expenditure monitoring of cocoa/coffee -related activities. 
• You will be responsible for the planning, implementing and monitoring of change projects in the cocoa/coffee value chain, ensuring quality implementation and alignment with project objectives.
• You will contribute to internal and external communication activities by drafting social media content, success stories, and by engaging with partners and stakeholders to ensure visibility and transparency.
• In addition, you will contribute to regular reporting on cocoa/coffee value chain activities, outcomes and lessons learned to commissioning parties and any relevant partners.

B. Tasks 

Specific tasks of the Advisor – Cocoa/Coffee Value Chain in Bo include, but are not limited to: 

Technical Support and Advisory Services:

• Ensure cocoa/coffee value chain activities are strategically aligned with the overall objectives of the EET project in coordination with line management.
• Mapping of existing stakeholders in the cassava value chains identify key actors, opportunities, and gaps.
• Identify opportunities to improve cocoa/coffee production, processing and marketing through innovative solutions, skills adaptation, access to finance and markets.
• Support the preparation of an annual operational plan for the regional office in line with the overall project.
• Establish and maintain strategic partnerships with government institutions, private sector and civil society organisations relevant to the cocoa/coffee value chain.
• Collaborate with partners to design and implement change projects that align with the overall strategic direction of the project. 
• Providing technical support to District Authorities and MSMEs on fostering private sector development and improving the business environment in the region, specifically the cocoa/coffee value chain.
• Advise local partners and stakeholders, including farmers, cooperatives and MSMEs on best practices to improve productivity, efficiency and sustainability in the cocoa/coffee value chain.
• Advising women-led enterprises and women organisations/cooperatives on promotion of women economic empowerment. 
• Support the monitoring and evaluation of interventions falling under the regional hub.

Communication:

• Ensuring timely and smooth communication with project partners and within the project.
• Support the internal and external representation of the programme in coordination with the M&E Advisor of the programme and line management.
• Provide input to and develop ideas for communication materials and forward to the M&E Advisor of the programme. 
• Ensure visual documentation of activities.

Administration and Reporting:

• Support the reporting according to BMZ standards.
• Active participation in the monitoring of the programme and exchanging experiences and lessons learnt with other colleagues. 
• Ensuring compliance with GIZ processes and rules (PuR). 

Supervision Received and Exercised 

Receives general direction from the EET Head of Component. 

1. Required qualifications, competences, and experience 

Qualifications 

• Completed university degree in business studies, agricultural studies or comparable degree programs, a master’s degree would be an added advantage. 
• Strong conceptual and analytical skills as well as high advisory competence.
• Experience in project management, including planning, implementing and monitoring projects in the context of international development cooperation. 
• Experience in the agricultural value chain development, particularly in cocoa/coffee or similar crops.
• Excellent working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint.
• English, also in reading and writing level C2, is a must. 

Professional experience 

• Several years of relevant experience in development cooperation in the field of private sector development, agriculture, employment promotion or similar areas. 

Other knowledge, additional competences 

• Commitment, team spirit, reliability, diplomatic skills, gender competence and intercultural understanding.
• Ability to think and act strategically and analytically or quick perception and an eye for the essentials. 
• Excellent people skills and ability to negotiate between different stakeholder groups.
• Able to work independently as well as part of a team. 
• Strong problem-solving skills, proactive, responsible and result oriented.
• Committed to deadlines and goal- oriented.

Mode of Application:

Suitable candidates are invited to apply not later than 15.02.2026 with this ref: Advisor – Cocoa/ Coffee Value Chain in the EET Project in Bo.

Applications include: 

• Cover letter 
• CV (including work experience and references)
• Photocopies of certificates 

and have to be submitted to the email address recruitmentsl@giz.de. Only applicants shortlisted will be contacted for an interview. GIZ-Sierra Leone is an equal-opportunity employer, and therefore women are strongly encouraged to apply.