Application Guide

How to Apply for Field Associate Manager 

at PULA

🏢 About PULA

PULA is unique as a tech-driven agricultural insurance company specifically focused on empowering 4.9 million smallholder farmers with climate resilience solutions. Working here means directly contributing to food security and economic stability for vulnerable farming communities in Africa through innovative insurance products. The company combines technology with on-the-ground field operations to create meaningful impact at scale.

About This Role

As Field Associate Manager at PULA Ethiopia, you'll oversee all operational activities including farmer sensitization campaigns, client training, and Crop Cut Experiments while managing a team of Field Coordinators. This role is impactful because you'll be the operational leader ensuring successful insurance delivery to Ethiopian farmers, directly affecting climate resilience outcomes and farmer livelihoods through data-driven field operations.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve morning coordination with Field Coordinators across different regions of Ethiopia, reviewing data from ongoing Crop Cut Experiments, followed by field visits to farmer training sessions or meetings with agro-dealers. You'd spend afternoons resolving field issues escalated by your team, coordinating with client field staff on operational challenges, and preparing reports on field activities and data quality for management review.

🎯 Who PULA Is Looking For

  • Has 5+ years of hands-on experience working directly with farmers, agro-dealers, and field teams in agricultural or development contexts in Ethiopia
  • Possesses both project management expertise (BSc in relevant field) AND practical data collection/management experience with agricultural studies
  • Is fluent in both English and Turkish, enabling communication with diverse stakeholders including international partners
  • Demonstrates proven ability to independently manage multi-disciplinary teams while coordinating with client field staff and insurance auditors

📝 Tips for Applying to PULA

1

Quantify your experience with farmer engagement - specify how many farmers you've worked with, types of campaigns you've led, and geographic areas covered in Ethiopia

2

Highlight specific experience with Crop Cut Experiments or similar agricultural data collection methodologies used in insurance or research contexts

3

Demonstrate your Turkish language proficiency in your application materials, as this is explicitly required for stakeholder coordination

4

Provide examples of how you've managed field teams in remote areas, including recruitment, scheduling, and performance management challenges

5

Show understanding of PULA's specific mission by referencing their focus on smallholder climate resilience rather than generic agricultural development

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your direct experience managing field operations in Ethiopia's agricultural sector, particularly with smallholder farmers", "Specific examples of successful data collection exercises you've overseen and how you ensured data quality", 'Demonstrated ability to coordinate between multiple stakeholders (farmers, agro-dealers, auditors, client staff)', 'How your Turkish language skills have facilitated international partnerships or complex field coordination']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • PULA's specific insurance products for smallholder farmers in Africa and their technology platform
  • Climate challenges facing Ethiopian agriculture and how insurance addresses these risks
  • Current agricultural insurance landscape in Ethiopia and key stakeholders
  • PULA's partnerships with other organizations in the agricultural development space

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe your approach to managing farmer sensitization campaigns in remote Ethiopian communities
2 How would you handle a situation where field data collection results conflict with insurance auditor findings?
3 Walk us through your experience recruiting and managing field teams in agricultural projects
4 What strategies would you use to resolve customer complaints from farmers about insurance claims?
5 How have you used data from Crop Cut Experiments or similar studies to improve field operations?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Applying with only corporate office experience without demonstrated field work with farmers in Ethiopia
  • Failing to address the Turkish language requirement or provide evidence of proficiency
  • Submitting generic agricultural development experience without showing specific knowledge of insurance operations or data collection methodologies

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to PULA!