Position Announcement Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Agency
Position: Regional Technical Expert, Community-Based Seed Production Term of Employment: Project Based, initially 6 months Duty Station(s): Amhara Region Required Number: One Salary & Benefits: Competitive Application Deadline: October 31, 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.
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:
Given the above background, ATA is looking to hire one Regional Technical Expert to work with regional BoAs, implementing partners, and other stakeholders to implement the CBSP program.
The Technical Expert will be part of a dedicated CBSP special project team that will report to the Project Manager of the CBSP team. The Technical Expert will have responsibility for overseeing the initiative in a specific region. The major duties of the Technical Expert include, but are not limited to, the following:
Organize kickoff workshop to develop detailed roadmap and activities for CBSP scale-up in Amhara region, working directly alongside implementing partners, i.e., NGOs and local programs
Conduct monthly progress updates and problem-solving sessions to ensure planned activities stay on track
Maintain oversight of budget and resource requirements of ongoing activities
Work to disseminate findings from diagnostic study to relevant stakeholders
Help design evaluation study and specific KPIs to measure success of CBSP scale-up, working closely with implementing partners
Provide ad hoc support to seed program and senior management team as required on issues relating to planning and implementation of other seed program interventions
The ideal regional Technical Expert will possess a passion for improving the lives of small-holder farmers, and a deep familiarity with Ethiopia’s agricultural system. The candidate is expected to have extensive background knowledge and experience in the marketing and distribution of agricultural inputs and cooperative development. In addition, s/he would likewise possess the operational and entrepreneurial ability to mobilize stakeholders across the seed system, and drive practical change on the ground.
This position will officially report to the Project Manager of the CBSP special project team. The Technical Expert will be hired by the ATA on a contract basis, initially 6 months with possibility of extension based on performance, availability of funding as well as the success of the CBSP initiative. We are looking for candidates who can ideally start work in the fourth week of November, 2014.
This is a nationally recruited staff position in Amhara Region with frequent travel to ATA’s Addis Ababa Office to the field. ATA is an equal opportunity organization and believes the diversity of its staff contributes to excellence.
Job Requirement
ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
Develop region specific seed producer’s (CBSPs) project operational plan
Coordinate implementation of specific seed producer’s project
Liaison with regional government and other development partners regarding all interventions in CBSPs
Compile and submit periodic reports to the project team leader
Monitor activity progress on monthly, quarterly and biannually.
Document and share best practices of CBSPs
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
MSc degree in fields such as Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Business Management, Development Economics or Cooperatives, Crop production, rural development, other closely related fields
A minimum of 5 years of work experience in areas related to on-the-ground community seed initiatives, e.g., working alongside farmer’s cooperative unions, in community seed banks, Small and Medium enterprise (SME) development, cooperative development, value-chain development, and other related disciplines
Understanding of Ethiopia’s agricultural system with a broad perspective on interactions between public, private and informal actors in the seed system
Deep knowledge of different community-based seed production modalities, e.g., farmers’ unions, primary cooperatives, organized out-growers, farmer entrepreneurs, etc. and associated regulatory issues
Expertise in SPV in cereal crops like wheat and tef, as well as in other focus crops, i.e., pulses, oilseeds, and tubers
Experience in prioritizing and sequencing both programmatic and operational activities
Experience in program design, performance management, stakeholder management, contract management, and Monitoring Learning and Evaluation (MLE) systems
Knowledge of analytical methods such as different statistical tools
Practical experience in developing and maintaining linkages between producers and markets
Ability to thrive in a fast-moving, start-up environment, with an emphasis on high-performance, teamwork and accountability
Excellent written and oral communication skills
Strong set of personal values including integrity, honesty and desire to be of service
Fluency in Amharic and proficiency in English are essential.