VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Since 1963 and in 146 countries, ACDI/VOCA has empowered people in developing and transitional nations to succeed in the global economy. Based in Washington, D.C., ACDI/VOCA is a nonprofit international development organization that delivers technical and management assistance in agribusiness, financial services, enterprise development, community development and food security in order to promote broad-based economic growth and vibrant civil society. ACDI/VOCA currently has 78 projects in 35 countries and total revenues of approximately $173 million.

ACDI/VOCA Ethiopia would like to invite applicants for Senior Business Development Specialist for the Feed Enhancement for Ethiopian Development Project– Phase III (FEED III). Begun in 2013 and to continue through 2020, FEED is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and implemented by ACDI/VOCA.  The overall goal of FEED is to increase the incomes of Ethiopian smallholder livestock producers by improving access to, and use of, consistent, affordable, high quality animal feed that can support greater livestock productivity and efficiency.  We are currently seeking qualified candidates for the following position:

Position Title:            Senior Business Development Specialist 

Duty Station:             Addis Ababa, Central Office

Project:                       FEED III

Period of contract:    Upto September 30, 2020 (with possibility of extension)

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

 ·       Develop training materials in business development and gender.

·         Support the organization of and participate in formal training programs for project stakeholders including cooperatives, unions, smallholder members, extension staff, and private sector actors with a strong emphasis on women’s groups.

·         Provide support to regional technical staff development through in-house training with particular emphasis on gender.

·         Provide support to project M&E staff and activities particularly in ensuring inclusion of women’s groups and activities.

·         Conduct gender assessments.

·         Provide support to project grants staff and activities.

·         Assist in coordination and oversight of regional technical staff and consultants.

·         Write and submit reports in a timely manner.

·         Maintain good working relationships with government, university experts and other counterparts/partners.

·         Identify innovative ways to maximize program effectiveness and outcome sustainability and meeting the developmental needs of both sexes

·         Perform other duties as required and requested by his supervisor.

Qualifications:

·         MSc in agricultural business/economics/marketing, general agriculture, animal science, agricultural extension or other related field;

·         Minimum 8 years experience in activities involving identification of viable business opportunities, planning, establishment and management of commercial enterprises involved in the livestock value chain, with a particular preference for feed;

·         Practical experience in one or more of the following areas: livestock feed, dairy, fattening and/or poultry enterprise management;

·         Knowledge of sales and marketing principles as they relate to livestock and feed enterprises;

·         Strong understanding of cooperative and union structure and management;

·         Fluency in English and Amharic;

·         Exceptional technical writing skills in English;

·         Proficiency with software such as Word, Excel, SPSS, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.