SOLIDARIDAD NETWORK WEST AFRICA
Sierra Leone
Job Descriptions
Project A: EU-Funded Oil Palm Value Chains Improvement Project (led by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, FAO)
” Project Lead/Value Chain Expert (1)
” Cooperative/Business Development Expert (1)
” Field Officer/Coordinator: Bonthe, Kenema, Port Loko and Pujehun Districts (4)
Project B: GIZ-Led Cassava Value Chain Improvement Project
” Project Lead/Value Chain Expert (1)
” Field Coordinator (1)
” Outgrower Scheme Coordinator (1)
Total: 9 vacancies
Advert opens: 28 October 2026 | Advert closes: 6 November 2026
Project Lead/Value Chain Expert
EU-Funded Oil Palm Value Chains Improvement Project (led by FAO), Sierra Leone
Number of positions 1
Duty station Bo, Sierra Leone, with frequent travel to project districts and field locations.
Contract Full-time position for the project implementation period, subject to organizational requirements and satisfactory performance.
Reporting to Country Representative/Programme Manager or designated Solidaridad senior representative.
Position Summary
Solidaridad Network West Africa is seeking a dynamic and experienced Project Lead/Value Chain Expert to lead implementation of the EU-funded Oil Palm Value Chains Improvement Project in Sierra Leone. The post holder will provide overall technical and operational leadership, coordinate project staff and partners, support the strengthening of farmer cooperatives, facilitate private-sector engagement and ensure delivery of project results in line with approved plans, budgets, donor requirements and Solidaridad quality standards.
Key Responsibilities
” Lead the overall planning, coordination and implementation of the project.
” Ensure activities are delivered on time, within scope and in accordance with the approved budget.
” Coordinate the work of technical specialists, four district field coordinators, consultants and implementing partners.
” Provide technical leadership on sustainable oil palm production, value-chain upgrading, market systems and smallholder commercialization.
” Guide cooperative strengthening, organizational assessments, capacity-development planning and institutional sustainability.
” Coordinate development and review of cooperative business plans and facilitate market-linkage negotiations and commercial partnerships.
” Promote access to finance, inputs, services, technology and markets for smallholder farmers.
” Support relevant sustainability, traceability, quality and responsible sourcing requirements, including applicable RSPO and EUDR-related assessments.
” Coordinate engagement with government, farmer organizations, private-sector actors, financial institutions and development partners.
” Oversee workplans, activity budgets, procurement plans, implementation schedules and budget tracking.
” Ensure complete and properly filed project documentation, contracts, activity reports and supporting evidence.
” Coordinate monitoring, evaluation, learning and knowledge-management activities and use evidence to improve implementation.
” Prepare high-quality narrative, technical and progress reports for Solidaridad, FAO and other stakeholders.
” Represent the project at national, district and sector coordination meetings.
” Integrate gender equality, youth inclusion, disability inclusion, safeguarding, environmental responsibility and conflict sensitivity in implementation.
” Identify implementation risks and develop practical mitigation measures.
Required Qualifications and Experience
” Master’s degree in agricultural economics, agribusiness, international development, rural development, business administration, value-chain development, natural-resource management or a related field; a bachelor’s degree with substantial relevant experience may be considered.
” At least eight years of progressively responsible experience in agricultural value-chain development, agribusiness, cooperative development or rural development.
” At least five years of experience managing donor-funded projects.
” Demonstrated experience working with smallholder farmers, cooperatives and private-sector actors.
” Strong knowledge of agricultural market systems, value-chain analysis, market access and inclusive business models.
” Experience in oil palm, tree crops or another commercially oriented agricultural value chain is highly desirable.
” Experience in project planning, budgeting, financial monitoring, procurement and donor reporting.
” Knowledge of the Sierra Leone agricultural sector and operating context.
” Excellent written and spoken English; knowledge of Krio and/or relevant local languages is an advantage.
Core Competencies
” Strategic project leadership and agricultural value-chain expertise.
” Cooperative and stakeholder coordination; business and market development.
” Budget and results management, report writing and documentation.
” Facilitation, negotiation, problem-solving and sound decision-making.
” Integrity, accountability, professionalism and commitment to inclusion and safeguarding.
Performance Indicators
” Timely delivery of approved workplans, milestones and reports.
” Quality of coordination, stakeholder engagement and implementation follow-up.
” Progress in cooperative capacity, governance and business performance.
” Number and quality of market, finance and private-sector linkages established.
” Accuracy of budget tracking, quality of data and compliance with procedures.
Cooperative/Business Development Expert
EU-Funded Oil Palm Value Chains Improvement Project (led by FAO), Sierra Leone
Number of positions 1
Duty station Bo, Sierra Leone, with regular travel to project districts and participating cooperatives.
Contract Full-time position for the project implementation period, subject to organizational requirements and satisfactory performance.
Reporting to Project Lead/Value Chain Expert.
Position Summary
Solidaridad Network West Africa is recruiting a Cooperative/Business Development Expert to support the organizational strengthening, governance and commercial development of farmer cooperatives participating in the EU-funded Oil Palm Value Chains Improvement Project. The position will focus on helping cooperatives become better governed, financially viable, market-oriented and capable of delivering sustainable services to their members.
Key Responsibilities
” Lead implementation of cooperative-strengthening and business-development activities.
” Conduct or coordinate organizational, governance and capacity assessments of farmer groups and cooperatives.
” Prepare cooperative capacity-development plans and support formation, registration and formalization of eligible cooperatives.
” Facilitate development and review of cooperative by-laws, governance structures, roles and decision-making processes.
” Strengthen the capacity of boards, management committees, staff and members in leadership, accountability, participation, recordkeeping and internal controls.
” Facilitate development, review and validation of cooperative business plans.
” Support business diagnostics, product and market assessment, aggregation, service provision and collective marketing.
” Support development of standard operating procedures, management tools, budgeting and financial-management systems.
” Facilitate linkages with banks, microfinance institutions, buyers, input suppliers, service providers and other business partners.
” Assist cooperatives to prepare documentation for financing and commercial agreements.
” Support negotiation of market-linkage arrangements and drafting of partnership or supply agreements.
” Promote transparent systems for pricing, weighing, quality control, aggregation and payment.
” Promote meaningful inclusion of women, youth and marginalized groups in cooperative leadership and business activities.
” Conduct follow-up visits, prepare technical reports and contribute to project monitoring, learning and reporting.
Required Qualifications and Experience
” Bachelor’s degree in cooperative development, business administration, agribusiness, agricultural economics, rural development, accounting, finance or a related field.
” At least five years of relevant experience in cooperative development, agribusiness, enterprise development or rural financial services.
” Demonstrated experience supporting farmer cooperatives, producer organizations, SMEs or community-based enterprises.
” Practical knowledge of cooperative governance, registration, by-laws, board development and member accountability.
” Experience facilitating business-plan preparation, business diagnostics and enterprise improvement.
” Knowledge of financial literacy, bookkeeping, budgeting and internal-control systems.
” Experience facilitating market access, collective marketing, buyer engagement or commercial partnerships.
” Experience delivering participatory training and coaching.
” Fluency in English; knowledge of Krio and relevant local languages is desirable; willingness to travel extensively to field locations.
Core Competencies
” Cooperative governance and institutional development.
” Business planning, enterprise support and financial literacy.
” Market and partnership development.
” Training, facilitation, coaching and participatory rural engagement.
” Analytical skills, negotiation, integrity and gender-responsive programming.
Performance Indicators
” Completion and quality of cooperative assessments and capacity-development plans.
” Number of cooperatives supported to improve governance, registration or compliance.
” Quality and implementation of cooperative business plans, by-laws, management tools and SOPs.
” Improvements in financial records, internal controls and service delivery.
” Number and quality of finance and market linkages facilitated.
” Timeliness and quality of technical reports and supporting documentation.
Field Officer/Coordinator (Bonthe, Kenema, Port Loko and Pujehun Districts)
EU-Funded Oil Palm Value Chains Improvement Project (led by FAO), Sierra Leone
Number of positions 4 (one each for Bonthe, Kenema, Port Loko and Pujehun Districts)
Duty station The assigned project district (Bonthe, Kenema, Port Loko or Pujehun), with extensive travel within the assigned district.
Residency requirement Applicants must be resident in the district for which they are applying. Recruitment for each position will be based on applicants resident in that district.
Contract Full-time position for the project implementation period, subject to organizational requirements and satisfactory performance.
Reporting to Project Lead/Value Chain Expert, with technical support from relevant project specialists.
Position Summary
Solidaridad Network West Africa is seeking experienced and community-oriented Field Officers/Coordinators to support implementation of the EU-funded Oil Palm Value Chains Improvement Project at district and community levels. The Field Officer/Coordinator will be the main day-to-day link between the project team, participating cooperatives, farmer groups, local authorities, traditional leaders, service providers and other stakeholders in the assigned district.
Key Responsibilities
” Coordinate district activities in line with approved workplans.
” Establish and maintain effective working relationships with district authorities, local councils, traditional leaders, farmer organizations and community representatives.
” Support community entry, sensitization, stakeholder mapping and regular engagement with participating farmer groups and cooperatives.
” Organize and facilitate district meetings, workshops, training sessions and consultations.
” Support cooperative formation, registration, governance strengthening and member mobilization.
” Assist technical specialists with assessments, business-plan development, by-laws drafting and governance audits.
” Coordinate delivery of farmer business schools, farmer business field schools and other capacity-building activities.
” Mobilize farmers and ensure that activities are inclusive and accessible.
” Support district value-chain coordination platforms and facilitate linkages with buyers, suppliers, financial institutions and extension services.
” Collect field data using approved digital or paper-based tools and maintain complete participant, attendance and activity records.
” Conduct routine monitoring visits, verify outputs, document progress and report challenges and opportunities.
” Report safeguarding, protection, fraud, conflict or other serious concerns through appropriate channels.
” Promote gender equality, youth participation, disability inclusion and conflict-sensitive engagement.
” Prepare weekly, monthly and activity-specific field reports and share success stories and lessons learned.
” Coordinate field logistics in accordance with organizational procedures.
” Reside in the assigned project implementation district throughout the contract period.
Required Qualifications and Experience
” Bachelor’s degree or higher in agriculture, rural development, community development, sociology, cooperative development, agribusiness, natural-resource management or a related discipline.
” At least three years of experience in field coordination, agricultural extension, community development, farmer organization support or NGO project implementation.
” Experience working with farmer groups, cooperatives and rural communities.
” Experience organizing community meetings, trainings, consultations and stakeholder events.
” Demonstrated ability to collect, verify and report field data; experience with ODK, KoboToolbox or similar mobile data-collection tools is desirable.
” Knowledge of the agricultural and socio-cultural context of the assigned district.
” Experience engaging local councils, district authorities, traditional leaders and community structures.
” Strong written and spoken English; fluency in Krio and the dominant local language of the assigned district.
” Ability to travel frequently and work in remote field locations; a valid driving licence and motorcycle-riding experience are desirable.
Core Competencies
” Community mobilization, field coordination and stakeholder engagement.
” Facilitation, communication and agricultural extension support.
” Data collection, documentation, problem-solving and follow-up.
” Cultural sensitivity, teamwork, reliability and ethical conduct.
” Safeguarding awareness and commitment to inclusive programming.
Performance Indicators
” Timely implementation of district workplans and field activities.
” Quality and inclusiveness of community mobilization and participation.
” Accuracy and completeness of field data, reports and supporting documentation.
” Effective coordination with district stakeholders and follow-up of implementation issues.
” Evidence of participation by women, youth and other underrepresented groups.
” Compliance with safeguarding, financial, logistical and reporting procedures.
Project Lead/Value Chain Expert (Cassava)
GIZ-Led Cassava Value Chain Improvement Project, Sierra Leone
Number of positions 1
Duty station Sierra Leone, with regular travel to project locations.
Contract Fixed-term position for the project implementation period, subject to organizational requirements and satisfactory performance.
Reporting to Country Representative/Programme Manager or designated Solidaridad senior representative.
Position Summary
Solidaridad Network West Africa is seeking a Project Lead/Value Chain Expert to provide overall leadership of the GIZ-led Cassava Value Chain Improvement Project in Sierra Leone, “Cultivate Better, Earn More: Integrated Farmer Training, Inclusive Out-Grower Scheme Development and Institutional Strengthening for the Cassava Value Chain in Sierra Leone”. The project runs for 36 months and Solidaridad is an implementation partner.
Key Responsibilities
” Provide overall leadership of the project and lead the development and implementation of workplans.
” Coordinate the project team, including the Field Coordinator and the Outgrower Scheme Coordinator, and supervise delivery of project activities.
” Provide technical leadership across farmer training, out-grower scheme development and institutional strengthening in the cassava value chain.
” Prepare donor reports and ensure timely, accurate reporting to GIZ and Solidaridad in line with project agreement requirements.
” Oversee budgets, activity planning and implementation schedules, ensuring compliance with the project agreement and Solidaridad procedures.
” Coordinate engagement with farmers, farmer organizations, private-sector actors, government and other project stakeholders.
” Coordinate monitoring, evaluation and learning activities and use evidence to improve implementation.
” Identify implementation risks and develop practical mitigation measures.
” Integrate gender equality, youth inclusion, safeguarding and environmental responsibility in implementation.
” Maintain a timesheet and project documentation in line with Solidaridad and donor requirements.
Required Qualifications and Experience
” Master’s degree (or a bachelor’s degree with substantial relevant experience) in agriculture, agricultural economics, agribusiness, rural development, international development or a related field.
” Substantial progressively responsible experience in agricultural value-chain development, preferably including cassava or another food-crop value chain.
” Demonstrated experience managing donor-funded projects, including planning, budgeting and donor reporting.
” Experience working with smallholder farmers, farmer organizations and private-sector actors, including farmer training and out-grower or contract-farming models.
” Knowledge of the Sierra Leone agricultural sector and operating context.
” Excellent written and spoken English; knowledge of Krio and/or relevant local languages is an advantage.
Core Competencies
” Strategic project leadership and value-chain expertise.
” Team leadership, stakeholder coordination and partnership building.
” Budget and results management, report writing and documentation.
” Negotiation, problem-solving and sound decision-making.
” Integrity, accountability and commitment to inclusion and safeguarding.
Performance Indicators
” Timely delivery of approved workplans, milestones and reports.
” Quality of coordination and stakeholder engagement.
” Progress toward project results in farmer training, out-grower schemes and institutional strengthening.
” Accuracy of budget tracking and compliance with donor and organizational procedures.
Field Coordinator (Farmer Training)
GIZ-Led Cassava Value Chain Improvement Project, Sierra Leone
Number of positions 1
Duty station Sierra Leone, with regular travel across project locations in 4 districts.
Contract Fixed-term position for the project implementation period, subject to organizational requirements and satisfactory performance.
Reporting to Project Lead/Value Chain Expert.
Position Summary
Solidaridad Network West Africa is seeking a Field Coordinator to lead field implementation and farmer training across the project locations in 4 districts of the GIZ-led Cassava Value Chain Improvement Project. The post holder will coordinate farmer field schools, integrated farmer training and training of trainers activities.
Key Responsibilities
” Coordinate field implementation and farmer training activities across project locations in the 4 project districts.
” Plan, organize and coordinate farmer field schools, integrated farmer training and training-of-trainers activities.
” Mobilize farmers and farmer groups and ensure that training is inclusive and accessible to women, youth and other groups.
” Build and maintain working relationships with local authorities, farmer organizations, community leaders and service providers.
” Collect field data and maintain complete participant, attendance and activity records.
” Conduct routine monitoring visits, verify outputs and report progress, challenges and lessons learned.
” Prepare regular field and activity reports for the Project Lead.
” Coordinate field logistics in accordance with organizational procedures.
” Promote gender equality, youth participation, safeguarding and conflict-sensitive engagement.
Required Qualifications and Experience
” Bachelor’s degree or higher in agriculture, rural development, agribusiness, community development or a related discipline.
” Relevant experience in field coordination, agricultural extension, farmer training or NGO project implementation.
” Experience delivering farmer field schools or participatory farmer training; experience in training of trainers is an advantage.
” Experience working with farmer groups and rural communities; knowledge of cassava or other food-crop production is an advantage.
” Ability to collect, verify and report field data.
” Strong written and spoken English; fluency in Krio and relevant local languages.
” Ability to travel frequently and work in remote field locations.
Core Competencies
” Farmer training, facilitation and agricultural extension support.
” Community mobilization and stakeholder engagement.
” Data collection, documentation and reporting.
” Teamwork, reliability and ethical conduct.
” Safeguarding awareness and commitment to inclusive programming.
Performance Indicators
” Timely implementation of field activities and training plans.
” Quality and inclusiveness of farmer participation.
” Accuracy and completeness of field data, reports and supporting documentation.
” Compliance with safeguarding, financial, logistical and reporting procedures.
Outgrower Scheme Coordinator
GIZ-Led Cassava Value Chain Improvement Project, Sierra Leone
Number of positions 1
Duty station Sierra Leone, with regular travel to project locations.
Contract Fixed-term position for the project implementation period, subject to organizational requirements and satisfactory performance.
Reporting to Project Lead/Value Chain Expert.
Position Summary
Solidaridad Network West Africa is seeking an Outgrower Scheme Coordinator to lead the development and monitoring of inclusive out-grower schemes under the GIZ-led Cassava Value Chain Improvement Project.
Key Responsibilities
” Lead the development of inclusive out-grower schemes linking smallholder cassava farmers with buyers and processors.
” Monitor the performance of out-grower schemes and report on progress, challenges and results.
” Facilitate engagement and agreements between farmers, farmer organizations and private-sector partners.
” Support farmer organizations to strengthen their institutional capacity to participate in out-grower schemes.
” Coordinate with the Field Coordinator and the Project Lead to align out-grower activities with farmer training and project workplans.
” Maintain accurate records and data on out-grower scheme participants, transactions and outcomes.
” Prepare regular progress reports for the Project Lead.
” Promote gender equality, youth inclusion, safeguarding and environmental responsibility in out-grower schemes.
Required Qualifications and Experience
” Bachelor’s degree or higher in agribusiness, agricultural economics, agriculture, rural development, business administration or a related field.
” Relevant experience in out-grower, contract-farming or agribusiness market-linkage programmes.
” Experience working with smallholder farmers, farmer organizations and private-sector buyers or processors.
” Knowledge of cassava or other food-crop value chains is an advantage.
” Experience in monitoring, data management and reporting.
” Strong written and spoken English; knowledge of Krio and relevant local languages is an advantage.
” Willingness to travel frequently to project locations.
Core Competencies
” Out-grower scheme and agribusiness development.
” Negotiation, partnership development and stakeholder engagement.
” Monitoring, data management and report writing.
” Integrity, teamwork and commitment to inclusion and safeguarding.
Performance Indicators
” Progress in developing and operating out-grower schemes.
” Quality of farmer-buyer linkages and agreements established.
” Accuracy of monitoring data and timeliness of reports.
” Compliance with safeguarding, financial and reporting procedures.
Application Information
Interested candidates should submit:
” A cover letter explaining their suitability for the position.
” An updated CV, including contact details for at least three professional referees.
” Copies of relevant academic and professional certificates, where requested.
Applications should be submitted to vacancies.GH@solidaridadnetwork.org by 6 November 2026 (advert opens 28 October 2026), using the position title in the subject line. Applicants for Field Officer/Coordinator positions under the Oil Palm project must state the district of residence for which they are applying. APPLICANTS IN SIERRA LEONE ONLY
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Solidaridad is committed to equal opportunity and encourages applications from qualified women, young professionals and persons with disabilities.
Common Employment and Safeguarding Statement
Solidaridad Network West Africa is an equal-opportunity employer. Recruitment decisions will be based on merit, qualifications, experience and organizational requirements, without discrimination on the basis of ethnicity, religion, gender, disability, age, marital status, pregnancy, political opinion, sexual orientation or other protected status.
All successful candidates will be required to comply with Solidaridad’s policies and procedures, including its code of conduct, safeguarding, prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse, anti-fraud, anti-corruption, confidentiality, health and safety, and data-protection requirements. Employment will be subject to satisfactory reference checks and any other pre-employment screening required by the organization.