Position: Stage I ACC Coordinator Term of Employment: Project-based - 1 Year Term with Possible Extension Duty Station(s): Amhara, Oromia and Tigray (Specific location will be communicated) Required Number: 3-6 for each Duty Station Salary & Benefits: Competitive Application Deadline: January 19, 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 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 structures are being established by Regional Governments.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Stage I ACC Coordinator will drive day-to-day coordination of implementation activities in the ACC by public sector stakeholders, as well as private and development sector stakeholders, as agreed in the ACC target-setting and operational-planning process. Specific responsibilities include:
Coordinate planning within the ACC, including strategic as well as joint operational planning with other ongoing activities,
Ensure strong program management within the ACC through driving day to day coordination of interventions and reporting, verifying status and progress of interventions, proactively identifying issues and solution options, working with stakeholders to ensure effectively joint problem-solving,
Escalate issues and needs to Regional levels where appropriate, including support around coordination, resources, capacity-building, policy and other systemic interventions
Ensure upward reporting meets needs for Regional and National stakeholders
The ideal candidate will therefore possess strong public and private stakeholder relationships in the ACC, with a strong understanding of identifying and problem-solving challenges to agricultural value chain development, as well as best practice program and project management approaches and monitoring and evaluation activities. He/she will also have in-depth experience and knowledge of previous agricultural commercialization, agri-business / agro-industry, or industrial cluster or corridor initiatives in Ethiopia and Africa. Market based programing experience with a particular focus with smallholder farmers will be an added value as well. Finally, the candidate will demonstrate a passion for improving the lives of small-holder farmers.
Job Requirement
ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
Mainstream use of planning, program management and reporting processes and tools developed by the National and Regional ACC Teams within the ACC Support Team and by other local stakeholders, to ensure effective decision-making
Coordinate effective planning and management of interventions within the ACC, including include joint planning and ongoing alignment with other ongoing programs and initiatives (local, Regional and Federal)
Drive day-to-day stakeholder coordination and problem-solving of issues at the ACC level
Ensure regular communication, and performance and financial reporting, with the Regional ACC Secretariat Lead, key local public, private and development partner stakeholders
Effectively escalate issues which cannot be addressed at the ACC level to the Regional ACC Secretariat for resolution
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 value chain development and upgrading activities, preferably including project 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
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