Position Announcement Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Agency
Position: Senior Technical Expert, EthioSIS/Fertilizer Blending Term of Employment: Project Based - 1 year Duty Station(s): Addis Ababa Required Number: One Salary & Benefits: Competitive Application Deadline: December 29, 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.
PROJECT BACKGROUND:
The EthioSIS/fertilizer blending project is a comprehensive effort initiated by the Ethiopian government to build a national soil fertility/resource database and information system to be used for improved soil health and fertility management in agriculture and develop land resource mapping of the country. The aim is to provide farmers and other agricultural sector professionals with accurate soil fertility 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 levels.
The EthioSIS/fertilizer blending project conducts 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
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 main task of the EthioSIS/Fertilizer Senior Technical Expert is to support the EthioSIS/Fertilizer Blending project in:
Quality assurance of soil analysis results.
Leading the prediction of level of soil fertility parameters conducted by spectral analysis
Building capacity on spectra prediction at the NSTC and regional laboratories
Ensuring partnership with national and international soil laboratories
Making fertilizer recommendation based on soil fertility mapping results, new fertilizer demonstration data, legacy data and scientific information found in literature. Checking the synchronization of field data with laboratory data and storage in soil database
Developing strategies to ensure field data, laboratory data and remote sensing information are stored, used and interpreted to empower decision makers
Develop decision making tools as it pertains to fertilizer use
Develop tools and procedures for ease of fertilizer estimation (Rate and type) to enhance the national fertilizer demand and use.
Job Requirement
ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
Validate laboratories' soil sample analysis results and identify of corrective measures (If required)
Monitor the quality of spectral analysis, and interpretation
Provide training on spectra analysis and prediction to key stakeholders
Monitor laboratories performance on EthioSIS deliverables and reporting quality
Support soil fertility mapping team in the national soil fertility mapping initiatives
Liaise with international laboratories to ensure timely sending of soil sample and validating results.
Fertilizer recommendation at regional, woreda and Kebele levels
Support fertilizer blending plants in quality assurance of fertilizer blends
Prepare concise and accurate report on soil fertility analysis activities, data checks, database update. Conduct additional project related activities when informed by Project Leader or Project Manager.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
At least at the level of MSc degree in soil science.
At least 5-7 years of experience in the field of soil fertility, particularly in soil laboratories where the applicant has good working knowledge.
Proven leadership qualities, excellent communication skills, an innovative mind and a good ability to interact with stakeholders at different levels.
Leadership experience of soil fertility related activities, projects or programs.
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.
Deep technical knowledge in soil fertility.
Experience in prioritizing and sequencing both programmatic and operation activities.
Practical experience in piloting and scaling up relevant solutions at the local level.
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.