A new face in Peru: meet Omar Martinez Martinez

Omar Martinez Martinez has spent the last six years in the coffee sector doing the kind of work that doesn’t make headlines but quietly moves things forward: technical assistance, project monitoring, hands-on support for producer organisations. Now he’s bringing that experience to Progreso as our new Agroforestry Specialist in Peru.

What drew him here is simple: a shared belief that real, lasting change in rural communities comes through solutions that are both sustainable and inclusive. In his own words:

“I joined Progreso because I share its vision of generating a positive impact in rural communities through sustainable and inclusive solutions for agriculture.”

In his new role, he’s looking to keep growing, deepening his knowledge of the sector while contributing to the projects Progreso drives forward. Expect him to be involved in technical follow-up, work with producer organisations, and generating the kind of solid, grounded information that helps teams make good decisions.

Outside of work, Omar is a football fan (both on and off the pitch) and shares his home with Royce, his dog and a firmly non-negotiable part of the family.

Good to have you on board, Omar.

Meet Miurel Fargas, Beyco Implementation Officer in Nicaragua

Miurel Fargas brings something special to the Beyco team: years of hands-on experience in Nicaragua’s northern coffee zone, working directly with farmers in the field and supporting the commercial cooperatives that bring their coffee to market.

Her background spans the full arc of the coffee value chain, from farm-level technical assistance, visiting producers plot by plot, to accompanying and strengthening marketing organizations. That grounded, relational approach is exactly what the Beyco Implementation Officer role calls for.

For Miurel, joining Progreso is a chance to deepen her connection with producer organizations while introducing a new kind of tool: the Beyco Farmer app, a digital solution built to support smallholder farmers and the cooperatives that serve them.

We’re glad to have her on the team.

We’re hiring: Beyco Implementation Officer – Uganda

Progreso is looking for a Beyco Implementation Officer in Uganda.

For the full ToR, please see here

Across these three countries, we currently partner with 45 producer organizations. Together, we work to improve their access to finance, strengthen their operations, and support their transition toward more sustainable production. This is done through a combination of technical assistance, tailored financing via the Progreso Fund, and digital tools for data management and traceability through Beyco.

Progreso Foundation is looking for a YEP- Beyco Implementation Support Officer based in Uganda. The YEP- Beyco Implementation Support Officer supports the rollout and ongoing success of our Beyco Farmer platform with partners – producer organizations and service providers. This role requires regular travel to visit partners, conduct on-site and remote training, and provide quick support and trouble shooting. You’ll be first point of contact of our local Beyco partners, ensuring that they can use the platform effectively, while identifying opportunities for improvement. Additionally, you’ll also help to develop new partnerships, map out competitors, and identify opportunities for growth.

As Beyco Implementation Officer, you will be part of the Young Expert Program (YEP). YEP is a program by the Dutch government to offer young professionals from emerging markets the opportunity to kickstart their careers in an international environment and to work on their personal development. You will follow a personal development and professional training track (including trainings in the Netherlands).

Please send your CV and Cover Letter before 19-04-2026 to Federica Marra (Digital Product Manager) via federica@progreso.nl Please note: Job interviews will be scheduled and dates communicated for CVs that have caught our attention.

From Mexico to the Netherlands: Jhonattan Maldonado joins Progreso as our new Operations Manager

Life has a way of taking you on unexpected journeys, and for Jhonattan Maldonado, the path has led him across five countries, through diverse industries, and always toward one guiding purpose: making sustainability tangible. Today, we are happy to welcome him as Progreso’s new Operations Manager, bringing his global experience, curiosity, and heart for impact to our team.

Jhonattan’s professional story began in Mexico, working in food and logistics, where he first learned the intricacies of moving products, people, and ideas efficiently. But he was always looking beyond the immediate, to understand how systems could create real value for people and the planet. This curiosity took him to Sweden, where he pursued a Master’s in Sustainable Management, and later to the Netherlands, where he expanded his expertise across technology, real estate, finance, and banking.

Through each chapter, one thing remained constant: a drive to connect operational excellence with meaningful, human-centered outcomes. “What excites me most about joining Progreso,” Jhonattan shares, “is the tangible positive impact the organization creates for communities. I want to help build systems that are efficient and scalable, while always staying grounded in the realities and stories of the people we serve.”

In his new role, Jhonattan will focus on strengthening internal structures, improving coordination across regions, and ensuring that operations are not just smooth, but purposeful. His goal is simple yet ambitious: to support coffee and cacao cooperatives in becoming more professional, resilient, and fairly rewarded, so that sustainable practices are not just ideals, but lived realities.

But Jhonattan is more than spreadsheets and processes. Off the clock, you’ll find him immersed in music, books, or dance, or training for his next triathlon. And in quiet moments, he’s strolling through the streets of Utrecht with his dog, Mochi, soaking in life’s small adventures along the way.

Jhonattan’s journey reminds us that operations aren’t just about efficiency, they’re about creating the conditions for people and communities to thrive. We are excited to have him join Progreso, and we can’t wait to see how his energy, experience, and vision will help us grow stronger, together.

Coffee brands, from Mocha to Juan Valdez

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