Position Announcement Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Agency
Position: Senior Technical Expert – EthioSIS/Fertilizer Blending Term of Employment: Temporary position for six month (Project Based) Duty Station(s): Addis Ababa with frequent travel Required Number: One Salary & Benefits: Competitive Application Deadline: October 25, 2014
BACKGROUND:
The Agricultural Transformation Agency (ATA) has been established by the Government of Ethiopia (GoE) to identify and address systemic bottlenecks to Ethiopia’s agricultural development. The Agency does this through problem-solving, implementation support, and capacity building of stakeholders involved in implementation of interventions that address the systemic bottlenecks. The Agency reports to a Transformation Council chaired by the Prime Minister and whose co-chair is the Minister of Agriculture.
The programmatic focus of the Agency responds to a core set of needs identified by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Transformation Council. Within the Agency, issues are divided into three different verticals; Systems which includes seeds, soil health and fertility management, cooperatives, input/output markets and extension/research; high priority Value Chains including tef, wheat, maize, pulses and oilseeds, and livestock;and Cross Cutting Initiatives that include technology access and adoption, gender mainstreaming, climate adaptation and environmental sustainability, and monitoring and evaluation. Across these programs, the ATA engages public, private and non-governmental stakeholders to support strategic planning, manage and strengthen implementation capacity and test innovative models. The ATA will be financed by the GoE and a range of development partners.
In support of program activities at regional levels, the ATA, in collaboration with regional governments, has established regional offices in Amhara, Oromia, SNNP and Tigray. These offices have been re-calibrated and each will be managed by a Regional Director.
Our Culture
We have an exceptional team of employees with a proven track record of success in managing complex activities and achieving transformational results. Our culture is one where talented individuals are committed to doing their best and work together to achieve excellent results.
At ATA, we provide an exceptional platform for people who want to achieve their highest potential and make a meaningful contribution in changing the country’s agricultural sector. We offer rewarding work in a young, fast-paced growing organization with passionate, motivated colleagues and excellent career development and training. We recognize our most valuable assets are our people and are committed to providing our employees with the tools and training necessary to achieve their career goals.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The EthioSIS/fertilizer blending project is a comprehensive effort initiated by the Ethiopian government to build a national soil database and information system to be used for improved soil management in agriculture. The aim is to provide farmers and other agricultural sector professionals with accurate soil information and recommendations on fertilizer use, liming and other soil management interventions. This information is based on a systematic mapping of soil quality, health, and fertility across Ethiopia and should be sufficiently detailed to allow management advice at all level. The EthioSIS/fertilizer blending project requires constant interaction with both national and international stakeholders. Important stakeholders at the national level are the directorates involved in extension at MoA, ATA, the regional agricultural bureaus, Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR), the National Soil Testing Center (NSTC), private sector investors and farmers co-operatives.
The main task of the EthioSIS/fertilizer Senior Technical Expert is to support the EthioSIS/Fertilizer Blending project in:
Co-coordinating “fertilizer trials and demonstration” with MoA , RBO’s, Zonal and woredas stakeholders
Developing demonstration protocols for new blended fertilizer use with MoA, RBO’S and EIAR
Supporting the integration of soil fertility initiatives with other ATA programs to achieve synergies and outcomes that impact the broader agricultural system
Executing “trail and demonstration” result analysis to shapes national level fertilizer use, recommend and document best practices
Streamlining Data collection methodologies and strategies to ensure demonstration and trials results are captured accurately
Job Requirement
ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
Plan the national level fertilizer demonstration with the objectives of creating awareness of the use of new blended fertilizer to small holders farmers, extension workers
In conjunction with MoA and other stakeholders, develop a monitoring plan of the blended fertilizer demonstration
Participate in the national TOT program (for federal, regional, zonal experts) that will be led by MoA (soil and fertilizer blending )
Lead the analysis of demonstration results through the development of analytical framework
Provide national level recommendation on the result of the demonstration and document best practices
Prepare concise and accurate report on the demonstration results and communicate this information to key stakeholders
Link fertilizer demonstration outcome to EthioSIS recommendation and communicate new findings
Support EthioSIS/Fertilizer Blending project lead, project manager and ATA’s soil director in fertilizer trials and demonstration activities
Execute Ad Hoc assignments as required
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
At least at the level of BSc, and high preference for MSc degree in agriculture and soil science.
At least 3-5 years of experience in the field of soil
Deep technical knowledge in soil fertility
Deep understanding of Ethiopia’s agricultural system, with a broad perspective on how the entire system operates and how public, private and informal actors operate within the system.
Experience in prioritizing and sequencing both programmatic and operation activities.
Practical experience in piloting and scaling up relevant solutions at the local level
Proven leadership qualities, excellent communication skills, an innovative mind and a good ability to interact with stakeholders at different levels
Ability to thrive in a fast-moving, start-up environment, with an emphasis on high-performance, teamwork, accountability and results
Excellent analytical skills.
Fluency in English is essential. Fluency in at least Amharic and/or one additional Ethiopian language is a plus.