Senior Project Officer II – Livestock Value Chain

Job Description

ETHIOPIAN AGRICULTURAL TRANSFORMATION INSTITUTE

Terms of reference

“Food security and Agriculture Rehabilitation measures in Conflict Affected Regions of Ethiopia – FARM” Project 

 BACKGROUND:

The Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Institute (ATI) is a strategy and delivery-oriented government Institute created to help accelerate the growth and transformation of the country’s agriculture sector. The ATI envisions to be the leading center of innovative solutions for the transformation of Ethiopian Agriculture by 2030.

The Institute focuses on two primary national approaches to catalyze agricultural transformation. First, we support the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), its affiliate institutions, and other partners to identify and address systemic bottlenecks within an Agricultural Transformation Agenda. Second, we support Regional Governments to accelerate the development of high-priority commodity value chains in clearly defined geographic clusters, through the Agricultural Commercialization Clusters (ACC) Initiative.

Our major activities include conducting strategic and analytical studies, providing technical implementation support, coordinating platforms to better integrate partners and projects, and designing and directly leading a number of implementation projects. Our headquarters are in Addis Ababa, and we have regional offices in Amhara, Oromia, SNNP, Sidama, South-West, and Tigray regional offices, allowing us to work closely with a wide range of public, private and development sector partners across the country.

Our Culture

We have an exceptional team of highly competent employees with a proven track record of success in managing complex activities and achieving transformational results.  Our culture is one where talented, dedicated and adaptable individuals are committed to doing their best and exhibit great team work to achieve excellent results. 

At ATI, 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, committed, motivated colleagues and excellent career development and training.  We recognize our most valuable assets are our staff and are committed to providing our employees with the tools, training and mentorships necessary to achieve their career goals.

 POSITION SUMMARY:

The Senior Livestock Value Chain Officer II is responsible for the implementation of all livestock related activities and the achievement of livestock related results to a high level of quality and in a timely manner. In particular, he/she will lead all activities concerning small ruminant and poultry production activities (Result 1.2), all apiculture related activities and all fodder related activities.

He/she will collaborate closely with the Senior Crop Value Chain Officer for the implementation of all other fodder related activities in component 2 and will support the analysis of soil management techniques within the context of agroecological practices and the integration of agricultural and livestock activities within a farming system. He/she could contribute to the development of ATI’s Livestock strategy. He/she will report to the FARM project Manager.

 ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Coordinate implementation of livestock (including apiculture) and fodder related activities and achieve planned livestock and fodder results to international quality standards
• Define the activities that will be conducted in Afar region, with specific regards to pastoralism
• Participate in the preparation of annual work plans and budgets, establishing performance objectives and standards related to livestock and fodder activities, and ensuring timely and appropriate feedback, guidance, and support for optimum performance
• Provide livestock and fodder related technical advice to all project stakeholders
• Oversee the monitoring of livestock and fodder activity progress and the evaluation of corresponding results
• Identify needs for external technical support for effective implementation of livestock and fodder activities, support the program manager in organizing and overseeing livestock and fodder related short-term missions
• Support, for livestock and fodder related activities, procurement of goods and services, and budget and expenditure analysis
• Assist in drafting project related reports in relation to livestock and fodder activities
• Organize and facilitate ToT training, value chain alliance platforms and coach and mentor targeted experts, development agents and processors engaged in apiculture value chain development.
• Ensure coordination and harmonization of FARM project livestock and fodder related activities with those of government authorities and other Development Partners active in Northern Ethiopia
• Contribute to the reflection ATI is conducting to define its Livestock strategy
• Support the TL in strategic dialogue between AFD, project staff and Government officials at central and local levels, in relation to livestock and fodder, particularly fodder production multiplication and distribution, soil fertility management and agroecology.
• For issues related to livestock and fodder, assist the TL and M&E coordinator in project M&E, knowledge management, communication material, capitalization and advocacy, particularly in terms of documenting lessons learned and best practices. 

Job Requirement

• Master’s degree or above in Animal Science, Animal Production, or related fields.
• AT least 8-years’ experience in agricultural development projects of which half in relation to livestock development.
• Professional field experience in at least 3 of the following (four is an asset): i) fodder production multiplication and distribution, ii) farming system analysis, iii) soil fertility management, iv) experience in pastoralist areas of livestock management.
• Experience in agroecological practices is an asset.
• Experience of adaptive research and/or participative research farmer groups is an asset.
• Knowledge of Livestock strategy and management. 
• Knowledge of the Northern Ethiopian farming context is a strong asset.
• Understanding of Ethiopia’s agriculture sector, with a broad perspective on how the entire system operates and how public, private, and informal actors operate within the system.
• Excellent ability to work effectively under pressure, and against strict time constraints.
• Excellent ability to build relationships with people, and teamwork.
• Excellent adaptive problem-solver in challenging environment.
• Proficiency in oral and written English and in Amharic.
• Sensitivity to gender and environmental issues.
• Desire of improving the lives of smallholder farmers.
• Willingness to undertake frequent field visits.
• Computer literacy.
• Rigour, autonomy, and integrity.