Position: Agribusiness Expert, Regional ACC Secretariat Term of Employment: Project-based - 1 Year Term with Possible Extension Duty Station(s): Amhara (Bahir Dar), Oromia (Addis Ababa) & Tigray (Mekelle) Regions Required Number: 1 for each Duty Station Salary & Benefits: Competitive Application Deadline: November 30, 2014
BACKGROUND: The Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Agency (ATA) has been established by the Government of Ethiopia (GoE) to identify and address systemic bottlenecks to Ethiopia’s agricultural development and transformation. The Agency does this through problem-solving, project implementation and support, and coordination and capacity building of stakeholders involved in implementation.
The National Framework for Agricultural Commercialization Clusters (ACC) is being introduced in Ethiopia by the Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Agency, the Synergos Institute, and partners at the Federal and Regional levels, and from the development and private sectors. ACCs apply a geographically-focused approach for rapidly enhancing priority agricultural commodity value chains throughout the country. The implementation of this National Framework will support agricultural sector transformation by enhancing and supporting existing structures to address systemic as well as commodity- and geography-specific bottlenecks across priority commodities value chains. This Framework builds on previous federal and regional efforts for value chain development and advocates for a more focused and market-driven solution with significant coordination between diverse public, private and development sector actors.
To support implementation of this National Framework for ACCs, Regional ACC Secretariats are being established by Regional Governments with the following main responsibilities:
Provide effective upward reporting to the Regional President and the Regional ACC Board, chaired by the Regional President and the Head of the Bureau of Agriculture, as well as to the National ACC Coordination and Capacity-building Unit
Act as Secretary of the Regional ACC Board, including organizing and supporting Board meetings, following up on actions agreed, and other related responsibilities
Support effective stakeholder coordination and problem-solving of issues at the Regional level, including alignment with other national and regional policies, strategies and programs
Support effective escalation of issues which cannot be addressed at the Regional level to the National ACC Coordination and Capacity-building Unit for resolution
Oversee stakeholder coordination, planning, reporting, problem solving and implementation support activities by ACC Support Teams in clusters across the Region
Provide capacity building and training to ACC Support Teams
Facilitation of private sector investments by ensuring timely and efficient investment support (e.g. registration, certification) and ongoing problem-solving support
POSITION SUMMARY: The Regional ACC Secretariat will consist of a Secretariat Lead, Agribusiness Promotion and Policy Expert and several additional professional staff. The Agribusiness Promotion and Policy Expert reports to and supports the Secretariat Lead, driving the Secretariat’s efforts to promote agribusiness investments and activities through the ACC Framework, including identification, design and coordination of implementation of critical policy and other regional level interventions to promote agribusiness through ACCs. Specific duties are listed below.
The ideal candidate will therefore possess very strong knowledge and experience of agricultural commercialization, agri-business / agro-industry promotion, and industrial development initiatives in Ethiopia and abroad, with a particular emphasis on policy enhancement and implementation of related strategic initiatives. Market based programing experience with a particular focus with smallholder farmers as well as large program / project management experience is also preferred. Finally, the candidate will demonstrate a passion for transforming agriculture and improving the lives of small-holder farmers.
Job Requirement
ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
Support Regional ACC Secretariat Lead in day-to-day stakeholder and program management, and other areas as required
Ensure standard target-setting, planning, program management and reporting processes and tools are effectively applied across all levels in day-to-day activities
Ensure use of best practice analytical and problem-solving tools and approaches within the Unit
Provide capacity building and training to National, Regional and local teams
Drive identification, design and coordination of implementation of critical policy and other interventions to promote agri-business through the clusters
Provide content direction and input to other members of the team
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor’s or Master's Degree in Agribusiness, Business / Management, Operations, Agricultural Economics, Economics or other relevant fields
At least 5 years professional experience supporting planning and implementation of agricultural value chain upgrading and agribusiness development activities, preferably including program management of large-scale agro-processing focused initiatives
In-depth knowledge of agriculture and rural development, in particular:
– Ethiopian policies and strategies – Agricultural cluster and corridor implementation initiatives in Ethiopia or abroad – Market-led value chain development and upgrading
Excellent stakeholder management skills including thorough knowledge and understanding of various regional level and federal level institutions; extensive experience in facilitating dialogue with relevant public and private stakeholders
Excellent oral and written communication skills, with highly collaborative working style
Experience in working within multi-cultural teams preferred
Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
Fluency in English and duty station language (Amharic, Tigrigna or Oromifa) required; fluency in other regional languages preferred
Strong set of personal values including integrity, honesty and desire to be of service
Ability to thrive in a fast-moving environment, with an emphasis on high performance, teamwork, accountability and results