Dan Church Aid (DCA) DCA is a Danish Humanitarian and Development organization working to assist and empower people affected by poverty and disasters to live a life of dignity. In Ethiopia, DCA’s area of works includes humanitarian response, food security, Resilience building of vulnerable community members, and Gender and capacity building of civil society organizations.

Currently, DCA is looking for a qualified person for enhancing its private sector and value chain-based programs in collaboration with local and international commercial and non-commercial NGO partners.

Position Summary

The senior project Officer will have an overall responsibility of providing technical support in the implementation of the activities in the program unit. The project officer will spend most of (estimated to be 85-90%) her/his time in planning, implementation, monitoring, documentation and sharing of the project activities. Specifically, this will include providing support to local partners in the process of value chain development and market linkage of producers with food processing companies, coordination of workshops, facilitation of business-to-business relations and facilitation and capacitation of key actors in the value chain system and conducting of rapid market assessments that focused on sustainable market linkage of producers with food processing units. The SPO will also work in providing support to DCA partners in the area of creating sustainable livelihoods, market system and value chain development areas in consultation with the program manager. Key responsibilities in this area will include facilitation of trainings as assistant trainer, coacher and supportive supervisor and conduct assessments that need to be used for programming and better targeting.   

 Key Responsibilities:

•  Support the program manager in preparing annual and quarterly program/project plans in the private sector and market development
• Follow up and support the implementation of planned activities in consultation with the program manager 
• Support the program manager in the overall planning and implementation of the P4G/SFP project per the plan of action
• Plan and implement workshops and trainings happening within the program unit in the private sector and value chain development
• Proactively works in coordinating activities related to the private sector engagement in general and SFP project in particular 
• Identify gaps and recommend ways to ensure sustainable market linkage of producers and food processing units
• Technically lead marketing, value chain and private sector development interventions in DCA Ethiopia that have impacts on the resilient building of communities 
• Follow up the performance of the P4G project and other DCA projects in terms of market linkage, value chain development and private sector engagement for achieving intended goals and positively impacting producers and commercial companies
• Closely work with local stakeholders and DCA team to enhance the implementation of the project, follow up achievements and documents cases for extracting lessons
• Technically lead the performance of the SFP project, set key performance indicators, milestones and targets and identify risks and proactively solve problems and overcome obstacles to achieve desired results
• Critically assess capacity gaps hindering the effective implementation of the P4G project and develop approaches for improving capabilities as required
• Integrate the P4G project with other DCA projects/programs to achieve synergies and outcomes that positively impact target beneficiaries and the gaols of DCA
• Draw and document lessons and experiences from the P4G project and contribute to the development of an institutionalized knowledge base for private sector engagement within DCA in future programming
• Regularly report to the program manager on progresses, challenges and constraints of the program unit in general and the SFP project in particular
• Proactively participate in fund raising and proposal development activities with the program manager and other team members DCA Ethiopia for securing funding for projects in the private sector, livelihood improvement and value chain development programs
• Actively participate in identifying capacity gaps and designing of appropriate capacity development options including training of beneficiaries and professionals in the area of entrepreneurship and value chain development programs
• Prepare and submit reports to the program manager on a timely basis with the required quality
• Do other assignments per the need of the program unit/DCA

Vacancy Number: DCA-Eth/VA-004/2022

Number Required; One 

Type of Contract: One year Contract with probability of extension

Reporting to: Private Sector & Value Chain Development Program Manager.

Expected Start Date: As soon as possible

Job Requirements

Required Qualification:

•  4 years (if MA) and 6+ years (if BA) of relevant experience in Agricultural economics/ Agribusiness/ Business Administration/ Management or Rural development, agricultural marketing, and related fields of which at least with 3 years experience in marketing, private sector development, and value chain programs  
• Knowledge of marketing, business, and value chain development in general and agricultural marketing and value chain development in particular
• Deep understanding in small scale agriculture and the importance of creating sustainable market linkage through inclusive value chain development or organizing farmers into business groups or market cooperatives within Ethiopia’s agricultural system, with a broad perspective on how the entire system operates and how public-private-NGOs collaborate to achieve SDGs
• Proven experience in creating and coordinating partnerships for achieving intended goals 
• Experience in working with public and private sector partners
• Demonstrated track record of success with program design, performance management, learning systems, and monitoring & evaluation
• 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
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and Amharic are essential.  

How to Apply

Interested and qualified applicants should apply for the post via the below link CLICK HERE

DCA is an equal opportunity employer, and all interested candidates are encouraged to apply regardless of age, race, gender, marital status, and religious, political, or ethnic affiliation. Please do not mention your religious or ethnic affiliation in your application.