SWR Ethiopia: a WUR office for projects in Ethiopia

Wageningen University & Research (WUR) has been engaged in research for development in Ethiopia through diverse agricultural projects and collaboration with multiple partners. The policy agenda in Ethiopia supports its commitment to the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Since 2016 WUR has been present through the Bilateral Ethio-Netherlands Effort for Food, Income and Trade (BENEFIT) Partnership office. Currently WUR is implementing four other projects with Ethiopian partners. To facilitate this collaboration, WUR has established Stichting Wageningen Research Ethiopia (SWR Ethiopia) in Ethiopia as Foreign Organization.

Stichting Wageningen Research Ethiopia (SWR Ethiopia) is an international NGO that has been registered in Ethiopia since March 2021.

The main objectives of SWR Ethiopia are:

  • Promoting a more resilient, inclusive and sustainable food systems in Ethiopia.
  • To leverage transformation of Ethiopia food systems concerning continuum from food insecure households in regions to better endowed household that are food secure.
  • Collaborate and capacitate members of the national agricultural research systems to ensure sustainability of generating innovations that contribute to the transformation of food systems in Ethiopia.
  • Creating the possibility for all WR Institutes and WU departments to execute project activities in Ethiopia through SWR Ethiopia in synergetic manner.

Current project portfolio

SWR Ethiopia currently hosts four projects:

The services that SWR Ethiopia can provide include

Financial and procurement services

  • Accounting and reporting information using accounting software that is also accessible for your project controller at WUR.
  • Banking services such as providing advances for project expenses and partners.
  • Payroll management, tax declaration and employee benefit management for Ethiopian project staff.
  • Procurement services including contract models and preferred supplier agreements.
  • Provide audited reports to the respective Ethiopian Gov't body and donor(s)
  • Assist the project implementation through event organization
  • Ensure all disbursements/payments are in accordance with SWR Ethiopia guidelines, Ethiopian rules and regulations, and donor requirements

HR Services

  • Support in the recruitment process of project staff, providing standard employment contracts, transparent remuneration policy including medical and life insurance
  • HR management that provides projects and their staff with a sound basis for their functioning including policies for safety and security, travel, whistleblowing.
  • Facilitate allocation of staff with demanded expertise to work for projects including assignment for more than one project for efficiency, when necessary

Office use and other services

  • Office space, meeting room, but also access to secure storage of information and communication tools, internet for project staff
  • Advice on establishing terms of reference, contracts, and partner selection
  • Access to their functional network with relevant stakeholders, funders, development partners and Ethiopian governmental and non-governmental bodies

Networking and visibility

  • Building on the goodwill and recognitions so far gained, the office facilitates networking with relevant organizations and stakeholders, ensure proper engagement for influence in the areas of policy, practices and institutional innovations relevant for each of the projects hosted
  • Working through SWR Ethiopia also means being part of a group of professionals, colleagues that offer support, who exchange of knowledge and experience and help each other achieve more synergy and efficiency.

Procedures for hosting projects

  • All services are compliant with WUR rules and regulations and with Ethiopian law and legislation
  • The hosting of WUR projects is guided by an agreement” that clearly defines the terms and conditions of hosting and roles and responsibilities between SWR Ethiopia and the WR Institute or WU department