Term of Employment: Project-based -1 year term with possible extension Duty Station: Addis Ababa Number of Position: one Salary and benefits: According to ISSD scale Application deadline: 05 December 2014
Background Integrated Seed Sector Development (ISSD) Program in Ethiopia envisions the development of a vibrant, commercial and pluralistic seed sector so that quality seed of superior varieties are available to a larger number of farmers, thereby contributing to agriculture for food security and economic development in Ethiopia. The Program is made possible through strengthening the development and operation of regional, national and international seed companies; consolidation and scaling up of local seed businesses; promotion of partnerships and innovations; support the development of enabling policies and institutions; and facilitation of support services such as research and studies, sharing experiences and lessons learnt and capacity development. The Program has been in operation since 2009 and to end of 2015, with high probability of extension. The Program is implemented through regional units - Bahir Dar University, Haramaya University, Hawassa University, Mekelle University and Oromia Seed Enterprise - with support from Centre for Development Innovation of Wageningen UR. The Program is financed by the Dutch government through the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Visit: www:issdethiopia.org
The ISSD- Program Management Unit (ISSD-PMU) is hosted by Haramaya University and based in Addis Ababa to coordinate and support the regional ISSD units. In order to assist the smooth implementation of various activities under the ISSD-PMU, the ISSD-PMU will recruit one National Program Management Assistant under the management of Haramaya Unversity. Working closely with the ISSD Program Director and Financial Officer the Program Management Assistant has the following major responsibilities:
Assist the ISSD program director in the overall coordination and facilitation of the implementation of the ISSD Program
Assist in administrative (e.g. composing letters) and logistic routines so that the program director and ISSD-PMU staff are able to concentrate on content related tasks
Support the Ethiopian Seed Association and seed company component of the ISSD together with program director, consultant and ESA staff
Serve as a contact person at ISSD-PMU for monitoring and evaluation (M & E); documentation of M&E data
Enter appropriate data into excel sheet and put in an appropriate dropbox folder
Support the ISSD-PMU staff, regional ISSD units and partners on a day to day basis
Plan team meetings together with the program director
Make note of team meetings and add document in appropriate dropbox folder
Match work plan with associated budgets together with financial officer; prepare budget for an intended activity/event
Provide regularly feedback to the program director on the progress of program activities; provide recommendations for maximizing efficiency and effectiveness
Understand the program budget and being able to explain budget issues together with financial officer
Develop contract and memorandum of understanding made between ISSD-PMU and partners
Follow up on contracts, incentive grants, co-funding and MSc/MA grants; ensure the proper use of such grants
Ensure that partners and MSc/MA students submit final reports, including financial reports once activities are concluded
Assist in the efficient and effective utilization of ISSD resources for the set goals
Ensure that the financial officer gets all the necessary information and documentation from ISSD-PMU staff and partners for appropriate documentation of the expenses
Understand and do financial documentation together with financial officer
Work closely with the financial officer in the development of financial report and check for accuracy of such financial reports
Support and facilitate the organizations of different forums such as meetings, training sessions and workshops
Reserve hotel accommodation for ISSD partners and workshop participants
Book and arrange appropriate workshop, seminar, training rooms
Arrange for workshop facilitation tools like overhead project, display screen, white board, colored markers, colored cards
Purchase of workshop materials like notebooks, pens, name bandages
Prepare banners and other workshop items (t-shirts, caps, etc)
Arrange for coffee/tea breaks and lunch during workshops, seminars and trainings
Facilitate travel arrangements for ISSD-PMU staff and partners (e.g. on arrival visa for ISSD partners, air ticket, vehicle, airport pickups, hotel reservations)
Accomplish emerging administrative issues in consultation with the program director and ISSD-PMU staff
Job Requirement
Desirable Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Demonstrated knowledge in management, business management/administration, public administration, agribusiness, or other field related to program management
Ability to use computer softwares (word, excel, power point, etc)
Ability to effectively communicate, both oral and written English
Proven ability to work in multidisciplinary and multi-stakeholder working environments
Excellent interpersonal communication skills, with highly collaborative working style
Education and Experience
Minimum of MA/M.Sc. degree in management, agribusiness, business management/administration, public administration, economics, agri-economics or other field related to program management with 3 to 5 years of professional experiences.