Job Description

ETHIOPIAN AGRICULTURAL TRANSFORMATION INSTITUTE

Terms of reference

“Food security and Agriculture Rehabilitation measures in Conflict Affected Regions of Ethiopia – FARM” ProjectJob Title:Senior Project Officer II – Crop Value ChainTerm of Employment:  Three years with the possibility of an extensionDuty Station(s):Addis Ababa with frequent trips to Northern Ethiopia (Amhara, Tigray and Afar)Required number:OneApplication deadline:March 18, 2023

 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 Crop Value Chain Officer-II is responsible for the implementation of all crop production related activities and the achievement of agricultural results to a high level of quality and in a timely manner. In particular, he/she will lead all activities concerning the increase of seed and plant multiplication capacity (Result 2.2), all activities concerning the increase in productivity and resilience of farming systems (Result 2.2), as well as activities linked to strengthening local seed, seedling, and plant germplasm selection and management capacity (within Result 2.1). He will also oversee irrigation related activities (R1.3).

He/she will collaborate closely with the Project Manager for the implementation of all other agricultural activities in Component 1 and part of Result 2.1 in component 2. He/she will report to the FARM project Manager.

 ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Coordinate implementation of crop production related activities and achieve planned crop production results to international quality standards

• Participate in the preparation of annual work plans and budgets, establishing performance objectives and standards related to crop production activities, and ensuring timely and appropriate feedback, guidance, and support for optimum performance;

• Provide crop production related technical advice to all project stakeholders

• Oversee the monitoring of crop production components progress and the evaluation of corresponding results

• Identify needs for external technical support for effective implementation of crop production activities, support the Team Leader in organizing and overseeing agriculturally related short-term missions

• Support, for crop production related activities, procurement of goods and services, and budget and expenditure analysis

• Assist in drafting project related reports in relation to crop production activities

• Ensure coordination and harmonization of FARM project crop production activities with those of government authorities and other Development Partners active in Northern Ethiopia

• Support the TL in strategic dialogue between AFD, project staff and Government officials at central and local levels, in relation to agriculture, particularly seed value chain development and agroecology.

• Work on a potential revision of the regulatory framework regarding crop production

• For issues related to crop production, assist the TL and M&E coordinator in project M&E, knowledge management, communication material, capitalization and advocacy, particularly in terms of lessons learned and best practices

Job Requirements

• Master’s degree or above in agronomy, plant production, seed science, horticultural science or related fields.

• AT least 8 years experience in agricultural development projects.

• Professional field experience in at least six of the following (more is an asset): i) farming system analysis, ii) seed value chains (formal and informal) support, iii) agroecological practices, iv) horticulture, v) adaptive research, vi) participative research farmer groups, vii) establishment of Seed Producer Cooperative Unions (SPCU), viii) Community seed banks, or ix) agricultural extension service development.

• Demonstrate knowledge of the national regulatory framework

• Knowledge of Ethiopia with knowledge of the Northern Ethiopian context is a strong asset.

• Experience in Participatory Guarantee Scheme (PGS) establishment is an asset.

• Proficiency in oral and written English and in Amharic.

• Familiarity with Ethiopia’s agricultural research system is an asset.

• Sensitivity to gender and environmental issues.

• Desire of improving the lives of smallholder farmers.

• Willingness to undertake frequent field visits.

• Computer literacy.

• Rigor, autonomy, and integrity.

How to Apply

We invite all candidates meeting the required qualifications to submit (i) a cover letter and (ii) a CV (maximum 5 pages) to CLICK HERE

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.

NB. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.