Position Announcement Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Agency
Position: Director, Maize and Sorghum Term of Employment: Fixed Term Duty Station(s): Addis Ababa 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 Director of Maize and Sorghum Value Chains is working with the Maize & Sorghum program team and with ATA Senior Management to implement national value chain sector strategies and priority initiatives. The Director will be responsible for coordination and execution of high impact initiatives across the entire value chain, and across high potential crop geographies.
This position will officially report to the Senior Director of Value Chains.
Job Requirement
ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
To manage the ATA Maize and Sorghum Value Chains program, and provide high quality strategic and implementation support oversight to ensure implementation of sector strategies and delivery on priority National initiatives. The Director will provide high caliber management and support for the Maize & Sorghum team, to ensure team alignment, high performance and delivery on priority objectives.
To lead program development and implementation of sector strategies in Maize & Sorghum Value Chains
To assume overall responsibility for end-to-end delivery on Maize & Sorghum value chains, from problem solving to implementation support, working across the entire Value Chains and with multiple partners
To provide high quality, results-focused stakeholder management across Maize & Sorghum Value Chains, and build a genuinely collaborative engagement with key Federal, Regional, Private Sector, Non-Profit and Bilateral partners in delivery of priority sector objectives
Manage ATA Maize & Sorghum team, and provide high caliber team management, coaching and support to ensure a high performance team
Prepare and manage ATA Wheat and Barley team budget; obtain approvals from senior level ATA management and monitor budget utilization against allocation
Serve as a thought leader to help the creation and delivery of strategies and programs to enhance the ATA, and where appropriate helping to seek external peer review and counsel on ATA’s approach
Contribute to the development of an institutionalized knowledge base for the ATA
Regularly report to the Senior Director of Value Chains, and to the CEO and Deputy CEO on progress, challenges and constraints of the work
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Master’s / PhD in Agriculture Science, Management or other relevant subject
At least 10 years of experience in either or both of Maize & Sorghum sectors, at a leadership role
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
Experience in prioritizing and sequencing both programmatic and operation activities
Demonstrable track record of success with program design, performance management, learning systems and monitoring & evaluation
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
Ability to build relationships with all kinds of people
Highly facilitative and collaborative leadership style
Excellent adaptive problem-solver in challenging environment
Excellent analytical, leadership, and data gathering skills
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Strong set of personal values including integrity, honesty and desire to be of service
Fluency in English and Amharic is essential. Fluency in at least one additional Ethiopian language is a plus.