About Agriterra

Agriterra is an international non-profit organisation founded by the Dutch agricultural sector. We are dedicated to strengthening farmer organisations, because we believe they are the cornerstone of thriving rural communities.

By building on the success of the Dutch cooperative sector, we provide the knowledge, resources, and support farmer organisations need to grow stronger, thrive economically, and create lasting local prosperity.

With a strong presence in the countries where we work, Agriterra fosters collaboration and long-term impact.

Together, we sow the seeds of change today, for a thriving tomorrow.

About the role

This position is for an experienced project team member working in the field of cooperative development. This position permits flexibility as it allowsthe CA to fulfil one or two of the following roles:

• Cooperative expert

As a cooperative lead, the CA operates independently within a framework entrusted by the project lead. While working on behalf of the project lead, the CA contributes to project design, implementation, and policy development, proposing improvement options.

The CA is responsible for clearly defined assignments within the projects they are involved. Within these projects, the CA establishes and carries out advisory trajectories with selected client cooperatives, supporting the implementation of multi-year targets based on prior assessment. Assignments may range from project acquisition, set-up, assessment, or providing specific expertise. In offering technical support, the CA may provide advice or act as a trainer.The CA consistently delivers work on time and within scope, demonstrating the ability to analyse and advise clients effectively.

• Project manager for small-scale projects

In this role, the CA serves as project manager for small-scale projects (annual budgets under €100,000). Responsibilities include managing budgets, staffing, reporting, and ensuring implementation in line with the contracted objectives and frameworks.

For this role, you will report directly to the Senior Cooperative Advisor and Project Lead for FFT 2 (Dairy). You will guide project staff members in your role as project lead for small-scale projects.

What makes you a successful candidate

At Agriterra, ambition meets impact in a collegial environment designed for excellence. This cooperative advisor position offers competitive compensation tailored to your experience level, comprehensive benefits, and the chance to be part of transformational change in agricultural development. You will have access to our yearly educational fund and countless learning opportunities from colleagues worldwide who share your passion for agricultural transformation.

• Cooperative expert
• As a cooperative lead, the CA operates independently within a framework entrusted by the project lead. While working on behalf of the project lead, the CA contributes to project design, implementation, and policy development, proposing improvement options.
• The CA is responsible for clearly defined assignments within the projects they are involved. Within these projects, the CA establishes and carries out advisory trajectories with selected client cooperatives, supporting the implementation of multi-year targets based on prior assessment. Assignments may range from project acquisition, set-up, assessment, or providing specific expertise. In offering technical support, the CA may provide advice or act as a trainer.The CA consistently delivers work on time and within scope, demonstrating the ability to analyse and advise clients effectively.
• Project manager for small-scale projects
• In this role, the CA serves as project manager for small-scale projects (annual budgets under €100,000). Responsibilities include managing budgets, staffing, reporting, and ensuring implementation in line with the contracted objectives and frameworks.
• Cooperative advisory work:
• Guide and empower targeted cooperatives through comprehensive project interventions from initial development and scoping to in-depth assessments, hands-on training, and strategic advisory support all within the strategic framework established by the project lead.
• Drive cooperative success through tailored advisory pathways focused on governance excellence, financial sustainability, business growth, and production optimisation—all while managing personal and team responsibilities to meet every project milestone.
• Administration & reporting:
• Transform data into impact by documenting progress, analysing setbacks as learning opportunities, monitoring implementation effectiveness, and sharing breakthrough insights that scale success across the programme.
• Business development & stakeholder engagement:
• Drive innovation by identifying breakthrough opportunities in operational excellence, project optimisation, and market development, translating insights into compelling action plans together with the project lead. Contribute to project proposals.
• Communication:
• Keep the project team connected and informed through regular updates on achievements, emerging opportunities, and challenges, enabling swift strategic responses and continuous improvement.
• Quality assurance:
• Uphold Agriterra's reputation for excellence by ensuring all services meet established standards while providing specialised, responsive support that consistently delivers value to cooperative partners within agreed timelines.
• Supervision:
• Supervise project staff on small projects. Delegating tasks, coaching and guiding less experienced team members to enhance their skills and performance.
• Technical Expertise Development:
• Lead knowledge development as a specialist trainer, contributing to Agriterra's intellectual capital through coaching, learning facilitation, and systematic capture of new insights and lessons learned. Remain up to date with industry developments through continuous professional development, and promote the integration of new knowledge across the organisation.
• Organizational sustainability
• Guide cooperatives toward financial independence by developing robust organisational frameworks that enhance climate-smart service delivery and provide members with the agricultural extension support they need to thrive sustainably.

• Proven hands-on experience in the dairy industry, particularly in delivering sustainable services to members, milk processing, value addition and quality-based milk payment system in Kenya.
• Skilled in designing and delivering training programmes, workshops and demonstrations on sustainable services, access to finance, milk value addition techniques and best practices.
• You are familiar with equipment, machinery and ingredients used in milk testing and dairy products manufacturing.
• Strong understanding of quality assurance, food safety regulations and industry standards applicable to dairy processing operations.
• You possess solid technical expertise in dairy production systems, value chain analysis, market, and business development.
• You have excellent knowledge of cooperative business development, market development, agricultural service provision, climate resilient strategies for farmers, entrepreneurship, governance, and financial management.
• You have a high proficiency in English
• Winning competencies: enthusiastic, result-focused, client-centred service excellence, masterful advisory and training capabilities.

• You have a Bachelor's degree in business economics, agri-business, business administration or a related field.
• Your career shows at least 5 years of experience in an international work environment supporting agricultural development projects.