Position: Unit Lead, ACC National Coordination and Capacity-building Unit Term of Employment: Project-based - 1 Year Term with Possible Extension Duty Station(s): Addis Ababa (with travel) Required Number: 1 Salary & Benefits: Competitive Application Deadline: January 12, 2015
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 ATA, 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, the National Coordination and Capacity-building Unit (NCCU) will be established with the following main responsibilities:
Ensure coordination of Federal engagement across Regions, and coordination between Regions
Support effective cross-sector and public-private stakeholders coordination and problem-solving of issues at the National level, including alignment with other national and regional policies, strategies and programs
Provide upward reporting and escalation to the Prime Minister and ACC Board, chaired by the Prime Minister
Act as Secretariat to the National ACC Board, including organizing and supporting Board meetings, following up on actions agreed, and other related responsibilities
Ensure mobilization of substantial domestic and external resources
Ensure effective capacity-building support to Regional and local 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 National Coordination and Capacity-building Unit (NCCU) will consist of a Unit Lead, Program Manager and several additional professional staff. The Unit Lead will lead and oversee all operations of the NCCU, and report to the Prime Minister as well as the National ACC Board. The overall responsibility of the Unit Lead is to ensure the NCCU effectively carries out its duties as noted above. Specific duties are listed below. The ideal candidate will therefore possess very strong public and private stakeholder relationships at the National level, backed by detailed knowledge of Federal and Regional institutions and understanding of dynamics between various public sector structures at these levels. He/she will also have in-depth experience and knowledge of agricultural commercialization, agri-business / agro-industry promotion, or industrial development initiatives in Ethiopia and abroad, with a particular emphasis on policy enhancement and implementation modalities (e.g. governance and operational structures, strategic and operational planning, program management, financing, human resourcing, MLE). 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:
Regularly liaise with senior public, private and development sector stakeholders to ensure coordination between stakeholders, with other policies, strategies, programs and initiatives,
Drive problem-solving of issues that arise between stakeholders or in implementation at all levels
Lead regular briefings and reporting to the Prime Minister and National ACC Board
Ensure NCCU provides effective support to the National ACC Board in its secretariat function
Lead discussions on resource allocation from federal and regional budgets
Lead external resource mobilization efforts with development partners and private sector investors, including development of promotional materials, coordinating discussions between relevant stakeholders, and problem-solving issues
Assess human resource and other capacity-building needs at Regional and Cluster levels, and put in place programs and activities to address these on a continuing basis
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor’s or Master's Degree in Agribusiness, Business / Management, Operations, Agricultural Economics, Economics or other relevant fields
At least 15 years professional experience supporting planning and implementation of value chain development and upgrading activities, preferably including program management of large-scale agro-processing and agribusiness 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
Highly facilitative and collaborative leadership style
Fluency in English and Amharic required; fluency in 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