The Senior Project Officer of ATIP, as part of the Market Linkages Team (Market Linkage VC segments), reports to the Director of Agribusiness and Market Linkages. The SPO is responsible for ensuring the conversion of agro-processing investments, participation in and facilitation of trade shows as well as the operationalization of the Food and Beverage Processing and Auxiliary Industries Strategy. Achieving successful implementation of the project will require strong management from a Team Lead capable of developing implementation plans, managing the staff and working closely with federal and regional stakeholders (including public and private sector).

 ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

The ATIP SPO is accountable for the effective delivery of the project across all ATI regions. She/He will be accountable for ensuring that ATIP project contributes to the strengthening of Marketing Systems, Information, and Linkages through effective delivery of the following KPIs:

• Identify and address key systemic and structural challenges to increased private sector engagement and investment flows to Ethiopia’s agricultural sector

• Develop and maintain collaboration mechanisms with government and non-government actors at international, Federal and Regional levels

• Enhance market linkages to create sustainable off-take from ACC farmers

• Build the capacity of commodity-specific export sectoral associations and Investment Promotion actors

• Support Agricultural related domestic and international trade fairs and participation in promotional campaigns

• Enhance marketability of Ethiopian products, including brand development and promotion

RESPONSIBILITIES:

 Responsibilities of SPO for ATIP include, but are not limited to:

• Manage the ATIP team workload in order to ensure on time completion of deliverables

• Manage the implementation of F&B Processing and Auxiliary Industries Strategy

• Coordinate cross-regional activities such as training and workshops

• Provide guidance to POs, service providers and implementation partners in the implementation of all activities

• Compile and prepare biweekly, quarterly, and annual reports to be submitted to the Ag. Business and Market Program Director for review and approval

• Manage the conversion of key investment opportunities by supporting the Team Leader and Director in the direction and management of the program

• Conducting targeted research and analyses around promising agribusiness investment opportunities and provide technical assistance to investors on their market orientation and business planning

• Identifying and prospecting local and international agribusiness investors and link them with greenfield investment opportunities or domestic partners for brownfield investments

• Preparing and utilizing investment promotion tactics and tool kits that inform and convince quality investors in agribusiness.

• Disseminating key information on investment opportunities and proactively engage in promotional events and targeting of desirable agricultural investors

• Navigating and supporting investors in their investment journey and ensure they comply with investment requirements and adhere to Responsible Business Conducts

• Identify and address key systemic and structural challenges to increased private sector engagement and investment flows to Ethiopia’s agricultural sector

• Identifying, designing and following-up interventions that mitigate the key systemic and structural challenges to increased private agribusiness investment

• Advocating within government to seek necessary approvals or urging the removal of policy obstacles for responsible agricultural investments and support the implementation of priority interventions

• Building capacity of investment facilitation agencies/desks using international and regional initiatives aimed at building investment promotion expertise 

• Assist the Segment Director in results-focused stakeholder management in order to build collaborative relationships with key internal, Federal, and Regional stakeholders

• Create opportunities for and/or participate in trade fares, create domestic and international market linkage opportunities for ATI’s priority crops and other commodities

• Source investors, identify potential international markets and build relationships through inward and outward trade missions in collaboration with relevant governmental, private, and international partners

• Conduct joint business/investment attraction platforms with a multitude of governmental and private sector actors

• Assist the Segment Director in refining the program’s strategy and designing new projects in order to ensure the intended impact within the Ethiopian agriculture sector

• Assess sector-wide challenges, identify solutions, translate to projects/interventions

• Conduct studies on approaches to creating market linkages with new and existing investors to successfully implement FBPS

• Provide problem solving support during the design or enhancement of Digital Agriculture projects

• Compile and submit data and reports in order to ensure internal alignment on ATIP project implementation

• Guide and follow up with project team on the preparation of all performance reports as required by the Production Director to problem solve for implementation issues, to make strategic decisions, to develop solutions, etc.

• Ensure the utilization of standard data collection processes, tools and requirements; work with the Performance Management Unit to ensure project progress is captured robustly

• Perform any administrative duties required to manage the performance of the team in order to ensure the team’s effective utilization. These tasks include but are not limited to:

Performance management

• Work with Supervisors and Direct Reports and conduct performance management of POs

• Contribute to the performance review of direct reports

• Conduct required performance assessment of implementation partners

Human resource planning, management and development

• Work with relevant Human Resources officers and be heavily involved in the hiring of new personnel

• Conduct and contribute to the performance management of relevant ATI staff as required

• Provide the required coaching to team in order to ensure the continuous development of team members

Budget management

• Estimate requirements and provide inputs as required in the development of team-level budgets

• Manage and ensure the effective utilization of budget allocated to the team

Other administrative tasks

• Approve requests and plans of direct reports

• Perform administrate tasks as required by the operating procedures and standards of the ATI

Other

• The SPO is responsible for additional interventions assigned by the Director of Ag. Business and Market Program

Job Requirements

• Master’s Degree in Marketing Management, Management, Agricultural Economics, Business Administration or another relevant subject

• At least 6 years of hands-on experience in the field of Agri-marketing, Trade & Investment Project implementation preferably in agriculture. 

• Deep understanding of Ethiopia’s agricultural sector, with a broad perspective on how the entire system operates and how public, private and informal partners operate within the system

• Previous experience working with the private sector in areas of sales, promotion, brand management, advertising and communication

• Experience in prioritizing and sequencing both programmatic and operation activities

• Experience 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 coach and mentor team members in the areas of markets, strategic thinking, project design, best management practices, and building strong partnerships

• Ability to build professional relationships with people across

• Highly facilitative and collaborative leadership style

• Excellent problem-solver in challenging environment

How to Apply

Register using the following LINK

Note: Your CV should not exceed 5 Pages. Don't forget to attach your cover letter. It is mandatory to mention the position title under the subject line of your cover letter. Please DO NOT submit scans of certificates with your application. Women are highly encouraged to apply. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted