Understanding this job ad: Field Associate Manager

Pula Advisors is an agricultural insurance and technology company that designs and delivers innovative agricultural insurance and digital products to help smallholder farmers endure yield risks, improve their farming practices, and bolster their incomes over time. They are seeking an experienced Field Operations Associate Manager in the Oromia region, Ethiopia, who will be responsible for overseeing and executing all the operational activities within the country. 

Let’s break it down

The ad mentions everything you need to know to apply for this role. But here are some qualities that it doesn’t explicitly mention but alludes to.

• This is a high-performance, pressure-intensive role. The job ad repeatedly emphasises a fast-paced environment and a results-driven culture. This suggests high expectations for productivity and performance, which could mean long hours, tight deadlines, and little room for error. You should be prepared for a demanding workload and a culture that prioritises efficiency and measurable impact.

• It is field-based, not office-centric. The employer mentions that they hire from the areas they operate in rather than capital cities. This implies that candidates should be comfortable working in rural settings and not expect a city-based office job. This role requires frequent travel within rural areas of Oromia, Ethiopia. If you are looking for a desk-based role, this one may not be ideal for you.

• Strong digital communication is expected. Despite this being a field-heavy role, the employer expects you to be constantly connected, attending conference calls, sending emails, and submitting reports on the go. This means you need to be highly organised, proactive, and resourceful in managing power supply, internet access, and communication tools in remote areas.

• You must be independent, self-disciplined, and self-directed. The role involves overseeing multiple activities, from recruitment and training to budgeting, field coordination, and data management. This suggests minimal direct supervision, requiring a candidate who is highly self-motivated, proactive, and a multitasker - able to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

• Cultural sensitivity and local engagement are expected. Since the job requires working closely with farmers, field teams, government bodies, and agro-dealers, strong interpersonal and cultural adaptability skills are crucial. You must be fluent in the local dialect -  Afaan Oromo - and have a deep understanding of the Oromia agricultural bureau. Local knowledge and connections are a significant advantage.

• There is growth potential, but likely competitive & challenging. The ad highlights that Pula offers career growth, high impact work, and is venture-backed, this is great for ambitious professionals. However, it also means expectations are high, and competition for promotions is likely stiff.

For this role, be prepared for a fast-moving, high-performance culture that expects independence, adaptability, and strong communication skills, especially in field-based settings. The role is not for someone looking for a desk job but is ideal for those who thrive in dynamic, hands-on environments with growth opportunities.

Guide to job listings in climate-friendly sector

Want to put the skills you’ve learned into practice? Below are some job listings for you to explore:

• Kenitra, Morocco | Aptiv | ME Engineer

• Nairobi, Kenya | Poa | Field Sales Representative (Thika Rd)

• Nairobi, Kenya | Eja Ice | Van Driver

• Nairobi, Kenya | Poa | Community Representative

• Egypt | Schneider Electric | Replenishment Specialist (Turkish Speaker)

• Cape Town, South Africa | The Sola Group | Electrician (Springbok)

• Antananarivo, Madagascar | BURN Manufacturing | Customer Service Representative - Madagascar

• Lusaka, Zambia | SNV | Administration and Procurement Intern

• Kenya | Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund (AECF) | Intern - Research Analyst

For more job listings in the green sector, always visit Shortlist’s job board.