Agribusiness Specialist

Position Title: Agribusiness Specialist
Location: Ramallah, West Bank
Reports To: Technical Manager
Level of Effort:   Full-Time

ABOUT THE PROSPER PROJECT

PROSPER is a five-year project (2025–2030) aimed at enhancing economic resilience and prosperity for vulnerable groups, particularly women and female youth, in the agribusiness and renewable energy/energy efficiency (RE/EE) sectors in the West Bank. PROSPER strengthens inclusive economic participation by equipping women and youth with essential employability skills, access to resources, and market opportunities, enabling their effective engagement in sustainable and climate-resilient economic activities. The Project is funded by the Government of Canada and implemented by Cowater International, in collaboration with key local stakeholders.

POSITION SUMMARY

Cowater International is seeking to a locally engaged Agribusiness Specialist to join the PROSPER team in Ramallah. Reporting directly to the Technical Manager, the Specialist will provide technical leadership and guidance in agribusiness and climate-smart agriculture (CSA). The role involves designing, implementing, and overseeing agriculture and agribusiness-related activities to ensure alignment with the project’s quality standards of Global Affairs Canada, Cowater international, and the PROSPER Project. Working closely with the Technical Manager, the Specialist will contribute to achieving strong performance management indicators by leading agribusiness initiatives and ensuring their alignment with the Annual Work Plan (AWP) and Project Implementation Plan (PIP).

The Agribusiness Specialist will coordinate with service providers, partners, and beneficiaries to ensure the effective and timely of interventions. The Specialist will also support the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) team in data collection, performance tracking and reporting. Additionally, the Agribusiness Specialist will be responsible for preparing regular progress reports and collaborating with the MEL and Communications teams to produce evidence-based case studies and success stories in line with PROSPER’s communications strategy. The Specialist will provide technical support to ensure broad outreach to diverse target groups and assist in the selection of qualified beneficiaries. The role will also involve active participation in project planning, budgeting, implementation, reporting, and knowledge management to ensure the successful achievement of project objectives.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Management and Coordination

• Lead the design and technical oversight of agricultural and agribusiness activities in line with the AWP, PIP, and national and international technical standards.
• Support project planning, budgeting, implementation, reporting, and knowledge management to ensure integration of agricultural and agribusiness components.
• Supervise local experts and service providers delivering training, technical assistance, and coaching tailored to women and youth-led MSMEs, farmers and agronomists, ensuring that interventions are tailored to specific agrifood business and CSA models.
• Participate in the design and selection of grant recipients and service providers; monitor grant implementation to ensure delivery of quality services.
• Conduct field visits, review partner reports, and engage with beneficiaries to verify and triangulate reported findings.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with local communities, women’s associations, farmer groups, cooperatives, government agencies, and other key stakeholders to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange.

Technical

• Oversee the delivery of technical assistance to local partners to support producers and aggregators—particularly women-led MSMEs—in the agribusiness sector, including business training, coaching, product and facility development, participation in exhibitions, and the establishment of market linkages.
• Provide technical guidance on CSA practices to the project team, farmers, cooperatives, service providers, and other stakeholders to promote sustainable farming approaches.
• Promote the adoption of innovative and sustainable agricultural technologies that enhance resilience to climate change across various agro-ecological zones.
• Supervise capacity-strengthening activities for the Agriculture Engineers Association (AEA) and oversee the Agri-Ambassador Program in coordination with the AEA.
• Develop and implement structured training and capacity-building programs focused on business development, CSA practices, sustainable farming methods, and efficient resource management.
• Support the development of climate smart business plans (CSBP) and CSA model business plans to promote the adoption of climate-resilient practices among women and youth-led agrifood businesses and smallholder farmers, particularly those engaged in high-value crops.
• Conduct assessments to identify, validate, and promote appropriate CSA technologies and sustainable water management practices based on agro-ecological conditions.
• Collaborate closely with the Gender Specialist, AEA team, and CSA experts to design and implement climate-smart business models for pilot farms, integrating sustainable agriculture, water-saving, and energy-efficient technologies.
• Provide technical advice and support to grantees on the application of CSA principles, Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), smart irrigation systems, and efficient pesticides and fertilizers, with the goal of increasing farm productivity and reducing operational costs.
• Provide technical guidance to grantees on the application of food safety standards, CSBP, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), and product development to enhance product quality and improving marketability
• Contribute to the feasibility assessments and oversee the implementation of agri-voltaic farm models, working closely with service providers to ensure technical soundness and effective execution.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL)

• Support the MEL team by participating in baseline data collection and ensuring ongoing monitoring and evaluation of agriculture-related activities in alignment with the project's logic model and performance measurement framework.
• Assist in the development and maintenance of a comprehensive database of project beneficiaries to facilitate tracking of program reaches and results.
• Document and contribute to the preparation of project reports, evidence-based case studies, and success stories to inform learning and disseminate results, in line with PROSPER’s communications and visibility plan.
• Contribute to agricultural impact assessments, particularly those measuring adoption of CSA practices and improvements in productivity and climate resilience.

Other Duties

• Perform any additional tasks assigned by the Technical Manager and/or Team Leader to support the successful delivery and achievement of the project’s objectives.

جميع الحقوق محفوظة لموقع جوبس.

• Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Agribusiness. Horticulture, Natural Resource Management, Climate Adaptation, Environmental Studies, or a related field; a Master’s degree is preferred.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of experience in agricultural development projects, with a strong preference for roles on agribusiness and climate-smart agriculture.
• Practical experience integrating climate change adaptation into agriculture projects.
• Prior experience with GAC-funded or other international donor-funded projects is highly desirable.
• Proven experience in stakeholder mapping, outreach, engagement, and partnership development.
• Strong technical expertise in agribusiness, CSA, green economy, sustainable agriculture, irrigation management, and water-use efficiency.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in both English and Arabic.
• Valid driver’s license required.

All applications for the position of Agribusiness Specialist should be submitted via email only.

Candidates are encouraged to apply by July 30, 2025. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so early submission is highly recommended. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only that shortlisted will be contacted.

To apply, please send your CV and a cover letter demonstrating your suitability for the role to [email protected].

To ensure your application is properly considered, please use the following subject line:
[Job Title] – [Your Full Name]

Cowater International is an equal opportunity employer, basing employment on merit and qualifications as they relate to professional experience and position expectations. Cowater does not discriminate against any employee or applicant based on race, religion, sex, disability, age, or any other basis protected by law.