Position: Senior Project Officer - Sustainable Agriculture Mainstreaming Term of Employment: Short Term Duty Station(s): Addis Ababa- Federal Ministry of Agriculture Required Number: One Salary & Benefits: Competitive Application Deadline: March 8, 2015
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.
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 ATA is seeking to hire a short term (9-months) Senior Project Officer (SPO) who will be accountable to Climate and Environmental Sustainability Director at ATA and works under the direct supervision of the Director General for Extension at the MoA. He/she will be responsible for the enhancement of the Extension Directorate's capacity in developing and mainstreaming of climate smart agriculture (CSA) practices advisory service into Ethiopia’s agricultural extension system. It is expected that the Extension Directorate will assign a focal person to work on agro-meteorological and climate advisory services. The SPO will promote the development and mainstreaming of CSA within the agricultural extension system as well as train and mentor the assigned focal person to take over such functions.
Job Requirement
ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
1. Mainstreaming climate smart agricultural practices into the agricultural extension system, together with ATA’s environmental sustainability, including:
developing and engaging in the delivery of a training plan to improve skills within the extension system for environmental sustainability and sustainable agriculture;
developing and engaging in education programs for farmers regarding benefits climate smart agricultural practices and environmental protection;
assisting the MoA/Extension Directorates to embed climate smart agricultural packages into regular extension work;
facilitating consultation workshops between MoA Extension Directorate and other stakeholders engaged in environmental sustainability and climate smart agriculture activities as necessary;
reviewing proposed approaches and methods for mainstreaming environmental sustainability and climate smart agriculture;
facilitating and coordinating ATA’s Climate and Environmental Sustainability Team work and other stakeholders related activities with MoA; and
facilitating green technologies field piloting initiatives and field visit programs
2. Capacity building, including:
coaching and capacity building of Extension Directorate focal person for agro-meteorological and climate smart agriculture advisory;
on the job training of members of the Extension Directorate and Regional Bureaus of Agriculture on issues relevant to environmental sustainability and climate smart agricultural practices;
supporting the extension directorate team in mainstreaming climate smart agricultural practices into the extension system; and
supporting in the implementation of GATE project with the MoA.
3. Providing ad hoc support to Extension Directorate as required on issues of core organizational development, problem solving and planning. This could include (but is not limited to):
regular reporting and review of initiatives;
analytical support for key initiatives;
reporting to senior stakeholders;
supporting in program planning;
preparation of MoU’s, strategy documents and project proposals; and
other focus areas as prescribed by the Extension Director
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Master’s Degree in Agriculture Science, Environmental Science or other relevant field.
At least 8 years of experience in the field of agriculture, environment and climate Working experience in and demonstrated knowledge of the Ethiopian extensions system Enter required level of professional experience here.
Deep understanding of and work experience on Ethiopia’s agricultural systems, and an intimate knowledge of how public, private and informal actors operate within the system.
Strong skills and experience with environmentally sustainable agriculture, and general knowledge of climate information and weather systems, with a broad perspective on agricultural value chains.
Proven ability to build capacity of supervisees and/or other stakeholders.
Experience in prioritizing and sequencing both programmatic and operational activities, program design, performance management, learning systems and monitoring & evaluation.
Excellent interpersonal communication.
Excellent analytical skills.
Excellent written and oral communication skills. Presenting experience is a plus.
Strong set of personal values including integrity, honesty and desire to be of service.
Fluency in Amharic and working knowledge of English are essential. Knowledge of additional Ethiopian language is desired.
Strong capabilities in problem solving, project and stakeholder management.
Mental toughness, resilience and the ability to deliver results in complex and challenging environments.
An entrepreneurial, can-do attitude to overcoming barriers and making change happen.