Agriculture Advisor

Job Description

Agriculture Advisor

GIZ-Internal Vacancy Announcement #007/2023

Supporting Sustainable Agricultural Productivity (SSAP)

The SSAP project supports the Ethiopian government’s efforts to improve conditions for the production of early generation seed strengthen the seed sector in Ethiopia and thus contribute to an increase in agricultural productivity on behalf of the German Ministry for Food and Agriculture (BMEL).

The third phase of the SSAP project (2021-2023) will be implemented in collaboration with the Ethiopian Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) and the Ethiopian Institute for Agricultural Research (EIAR). Several private and public partners support the project with providing expert advice and training opportunities.

A.      Responsibilities

The technical professional is responsible for

• managing the work area “Quality Early Generation Seed Production at the Ethiopian Institute for Agricultural Research (EIAR)” together with the EIAR focal person, including the planning, coordination, implementation, and monitoring of all project activities in this area,
• assisting the management of interventions related to the cooperation with EIAR,

Under the technical supervision of the manager of cooperation with EIAR, the Agriculture advisor performs the following tasks:

B. Tasks

1.  Management of the work area “Quality Early Generation Seed production at EIAR”

The agriculture advisor

• coordinates the results-based planning, implementation and monitoring of all project activities in the area of quality EGS production at EIAR,
• plans and monitors expenses related to the work area,
• manages the relationship with EIAR in the area of quality EGS production.
• supports and coordinates the collaboration with five private seed producer companies.

2.  Assistance to the overall management of the cooperation with EIAR

The seed sector advisor takes over tasks in the areas of

• steering of project activities with EIAR
• planning and monitoring expenses
• monitoring and management of local contracts and procurement
• monitoring of activities and results
• reporting to his/her supervisor as requested

3. Technical advice and support in the areas of faba bean and barley breeding, variety release and protection

Under the technical supervision of the manager of cooperation with EIAR, the seed sector advisor

• supports the implementation of activities related to faba bean and barley breeding at EIAR,
• supports the project’s interventions related to variety release and protection in collaboration with the Ethiopian Agricultural Authority,
• contributes to planning, monitoring and public relations measures of the activities in his/her working areas.
• Supports the private seed produces to improve their EGS production capacities.
• Advises private seed producers to develop and implement business plan.

4.  Communication, knowledge management and networking

The seed sector advisor

• proactively makes proposals and prepares content for public relations measures,
• prepares reports and presentations in collaboration with and upon request of the manager of cooperation with EIAR and the project manager,
• keeps up-to-date with publications and events in his/her area of responsibility,
• participates in and contributes to GIZ sector networks or other communities of practice.

5.       Other duties/additional tasks

The technical professional

• familiarises him/herself and acts in accordance with GIZ rules and procedures,
• actively uses and independently contributes to important project instruments and tools such as results-based monitoring instruments, photo and document repositories, operational plans and MS teams,
• proactively contributes to meetings in the team, with the partner and in the cluster by moderating, taking minutes and taking responsibility for action points,
• performs other duties and tasks at the request of management.

Job Requirement

Qualifications

• BSc/MSc from an accredited university in seed science and technology, plant sciences or agricultural business, or closely related field

Professional experience

• At least 5 years’ professional experience in the fields of crop breeding or seed production
• Professional experience in international development projects is an asset
• Previous work or cooperation experience at/with EIAR preferred.

Other knowledge, additional competences

• excellent knowledge of the Ethiopian agricultural research system, institutions and practices is essential.
• good working knowledge of MS Office
• strong managerial and organisational competence
• excellent time- and self-management skills
• willingness to travel regularly within Ethiopia
• very good knowledge of spoken and written English (level B2/C1) essential, certificate preferred
• very good knowledge of spoken and written Amharic essential
• willingness and ability to work in a team