The Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa, FARA, and the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL, through the Department of International Cooperation (ICO), have been collaborating since 2013, addressing issues related to smallholder agricultural productivity and sustainable food systems.

Established in the late 1990’s and headquartered in Ghana, FARA is the apex continental organization responsible for coordinating and advocating for agricultural research for development (AR4D) in Africa. FARA aims to address key development frameworks, such as the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP). It serves as the technical arm of the African Union Commission on matters concerning agricultural science, technology, and innovation.

FiBL is one of the world's leading research institutions in organic agriculture and agroecology and employs around 350 people in Switzerland. FiBL's strengths include interdisciplinary research, joint innovations with farmers and the food industry, and rapid knowledge transfer. FiBL's expertise is in demand nationally and in numerous international projects in research, extension, training, and development cooperation.

To strengthen this partnership further, the two organizations are seeking to recruit a Senior Market, Sector & Policy Development Expert (80-100%) for Organic Agriculture and Agroecology, starting on 01 November 2026

Duty station: Accra, Ghana, on the premises and in close administrative and strategic collaboration with FARA, with frequent travel to other African countries.

Your mission

• Lead, facilitate, and support market, sector, and policy development initiatives in various FiBL and relevant FARA projects across Africa

• Establish and sustain strategic networks among public and private actors Identify and expand local and international organic, agroecological, and other market        opportunities               and                   facilitate             market   development   strategies   for stakeholders, ensuring ownership and sustainability

• Champion, develop, and build capacity on participatory market and food systems development tools and strategies such as Market System Development and Value Chain Development

• Create, monitor, and evaluate impact chains and contribute to scaling, policy development, and advocacy strategies

• Acquire and manage relevant research and development initiatives and projects for FiBL and FARA and partners

• Contribute impactfully to the FIBL strategy and represent FIBL and FARA values.

Your profile

• University degree (min MSc) in agriculture, agribusiness, economics, international development, or a related field;

• Strong track record in organic farming and agroecology markets;

• Several years of practical experience in market and/or sector development, preferably within the organic or sustainable agriculture sector;

•  Strategic thinker who can translate complex value chain analyses into practical, market-ready solutions;

•  Proven experience in international cooperation projects and in impact chain building with African food systems, and with a deep understanding of collaboration within the African context;

• High level of engagement, maintaining strong relationships with partners through both virtual collaboration and frequent international travel;

• Strong team player and good networker with good communication skills; Skilled in participatory, capacity-building, and sensitive working styles;

• Full professional proficiency in French and English. German and other languages used in Africa are an asset.

You participate in various FiBL and FARA projects and initiatives. You contribute to and benefit from the team of about 30 experts in the ICO department, 300 researchers at FiBL in Switzerland, the FARA team in Ghana, and their continent-wide partners. You report on content matters to the 'Policy and Sector Development' Group Leader at FiBL and the Policy and Investment Leader at FARA. You also work in close coordination with international project managers at FiBL. You report on administrative matters to FARA.

We offer

You will be employed by FARA, FiBL’s strategic partner in Accra, Ghana. Your salary and employment conditions are in line with the FARA guidelines. In addition, FiBL offers a workplace culture characterized by efficient, uncomplicated work and numerous opportunities to help shape the institute. As a research institute with a big global network, we consider training opportunities and further education for our employees highly important.

Apply

Does this position interest you? Sabine Douxchamps (sabine.douxchamps@fibl.org), Head of the Department of International Cooperation, Markus Arbenz (markus.arbenz@fibl.org), FiBL’s Africa Coordinator, and Kwaku Antwi (kantwi@faraafrica.org) of FARA will be happy to answer your questions.

We particularly welcome applications from female candidates. We would be pleased to receive your electronic application in one PDF file (including motivation letter, CV, references and salary expectations) by 15 September 2026, with the reference “Senior Market, Sector & Policy Development Expert (80-100%)” via application form https://recruitingapp-2995.umantis.com/Vacancies/404/Application/New/2.