Position Announcement Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Agency
Position: Director, Monitoring, Learning and Evaluation Term of Employment: Fixed Term Contract Duty Station(s): Addis Ababa Required Number: One Salary & Benefits: Competitive Application Deadline: December 6, 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. 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.
The MLE team, as one of ATA’s Cross-Cutting Initiatives (CCI) and supporting ATA programs and the broader agricultural sector, focuses on two main areas of activity: on the one hand, the team seeks to support ATA program teams to promote learning, monitoring/evaluation of agricultural programs and evidence based planning within their respective areas of work; on the other hand, the MLE team works directly with partners (such as the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) and Regional Bureaus of Agriculture (RBoAs)) to build capacity and systems for enhanced planning, monitoring and evaluation and knowledge management within the sector. As a direct advisor to the MoA and other partners’ planning and programming directorates, the MLE team’s role thus extends to one of shaping the development of a sector-wide Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) system.
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 Director of Monitoring, Learning, and Evaluation will lead the MLE cross-cutting team in working with ATA Senior Management and key stakeholders in the agricultural sector lead a program to help establish a strong system to monitor and evaluate agricultural programs and analyze developmental trends within the agricultural sector, to develop an up-to-date knowledge base, and promote evidence based planning. The Director will thus be responsible for and lead the work a team of experts (two senior technical experts seconded to the MoA’s Planning and Programming Directorate, a senior technical expert within ATA, an international consultant and an analyst) who support sectoral partners in moving forward the sector-wide M&E, planning and knowledge management systems transformation.
The ATA seeks a Director who possesses a passion for improving the lives of smallholder farmers, familiarity with Ethiopia’s agricultural sector, expertise in planning, M&E and knowledge management functions, and extensive experience in management and leadership levels in organizations that are results driven. S/he would also possess the entrepreneurial ability to identify opportunities, catalyze change, mobilize stakeholders across the system, be innovative and drive practical change on the ground that will lead to transforming the sector’s M&E system.
This position will report to the Senior Director of CCI .
Job Requirement
ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
Serve as the director of the MLE team, responsible for the overall strategy and deliverables of the team with a view of promoting the team as a core partner of ATA programs and change agent in the broader sector M&E transformation.
Provide high-caliber management, coaching, and support to develop and ensure a high performing team and promote ATA values and working culture within the team.
Develop effective and collaborative partnerships with relevant stakeholders engaged in agriculture and across MLE functions, including government (MoA/RBoAs, EDRI, CSA, etc.) civil society, think tanks and universities, and donors) in delivery of priority team objectives
Proactively identify opportunities to support sectoral stakeholders and ATA programs in mobilizing financial or organizational resources needed to execute against their planning, M&E and knowledge management missions, establishing the ATA as a thought partner and trusted advisor to senior decision-makers
Act as a thought-partner to other ATA programs and build relationships that allow the MLE team to integrate into programs, as an active partner.
Critically assess capacity gaps that may hinder effective implementation of activities and develop solutions as required
Serve on the leadership team of ATA
Regularly report to the Senior Director of CCI, the CEO, and Chief of Staff on progress, challenges and constraints of the work
Prepare and manage ATA Monitoring, Learning, and Evaluation team budget; obtain approvals from senior- level ATA management and monitor budget utilization against allocation
Serve as a thought leader to help the creation and delivery of strategies and activities to enhance the ATA, and where appropriate helping to seek external peer review and counsel on ATA’s approach
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Advanced degree (PhD preferred) in Economics/Econometrics, Development Planning and Management, Agriculture Sciences or other relevant subject.
At least 10 years of experience in agricultural development and M&E is essential, with a mix of Ethiopian and international experience in M&E preferred.
At least 10 years of experience leading teams to achieve high-impact results in a senior leadership role in government, international agency, or civil society.
An understanding of Ethiopia’s agricultural system, with a broad perspective on how the entire system operates and how public, private, NGO and informal actors operate within the system
Practical experience in implementing solutions at an institutional level
Experience in developing and building relationships among institutions both with public agencies and between the public sector and civil society.
Demonstrable track record of success with program design, performance management, learning systems and M&E.
Oral and written fluency in English is essential, fluency in Amharic a plus.
Desired Overall Qualities:
Highly facilitative and collaborative leadership style with the ability to build relationships with individuals across diverse cultures and organizations
Understanding that ATA is a unique organization with a unique mandate, and requires a different approach to M&E to other organizations in that it is trying to build a system that is measuring and evaluating an entire country’s agricultural transformation
Passion for cultivating and developing high-performance teams while incorporating feedback, open communication, and personal mentorship
Excellent adaptive problem-solver in a challenging environment, with the ability to think strategically and prioritize program activities under dynamic conditions
Ability to thrive in a fast-moving, start-up environment, with an emphasis on high-performance, teamwork, accountability and results
Strong set of personal values including integrity, honesty and desire to be of service