Project:              Ethiopia-Netherlands Seed Partnership Plus

Duty station:  Addis Ababa

Duration:         One year with possibility of extension (three years) depending on performance

Reports to:      Project Manager at SWR Ethiopia office

Background

Stichting Wageningen Research (SWR) is an international NGO registered in Ethiopia since March 2021 with the FDRE Agency for Civil Society Organizations. The organization is established with the objectives of promoting more resilient, inclusive and sustainable food systems in Ethiopia. One of the projects implemented by SWR is Ethiopia-Netherlands Seed Partnership Plus (ENSP+).

The Ethiopia-Netherlands Seed Partnership Plus

You will facilitate the establishment of seed sector coordinating mechanisms to strengthen seed sector governance in Ethiopia and ensure the smooth and efficient functioning of the seed sector. You will do this in support of the Partnership’s objective to ensure the delivery of quality seed of adapted varieties to small-scale food producers across the country. The Partnership is development cooperation between Ethiopia and the Netherlands, implemented by a consortium of the Ethiopian Seed Association, Plantum (NL), Mercy Corps, RSLNC Consultancy PLC and Wageningen University & Research.

We are looking for

A strategic and skilled facilitator of multi-stakeholder partnerships at both federal and regional state levels with the drive to transform Ethiopia’s seed sector. There are many stakeholders concerning the performance of the seed sector and complex political processes, which makes coordination challenging. Currently, the sector lacks such strategic leadership, making development unpredictable and sometimes to the detriment of desired outcomes like food security and nutrition, equity and inclusion, competitiveness, and resilience to shocks and stresses. Better coordination requires both the structures and a culture of collaborative governance, which you need to champion. You should be critical and strategic but also pragmatic in looking for small but progressive wins. Your expectations should be realistic: you will be advancing an agenda that starts from a very weak level. A functioning system of collaborative governance is practically non-existent. You must find platforms to give voice to certain stakeholders and arenas for consultative and collective decision making.

Key Responsibilities:

• Spearhead the development of an updated and widely-embraced vision for the seed sector’s transformation, along with roadmaps and investment plans

• Facilitate dialogue between government, industry, science and civil society to develop strategies for achieving the vision and goals of the seed sector

• Build a strong and privileged relationship with government officials, earning their trust

• Champion reforms to relevant policies and strategies that contribute to the seed sector transformation

• Support the development and use of a dashboard to monitor seed sector transformation by key decision makers in the seed sector

• Strengthen the capacities of coordinating structures at both federal and regional levels and foster a culture of collaboration in governing the seed sector

• Focus the narrative on achieving systemic change and root causes of seed sector problems

• Review institutional capacities for performing key responsibilities in governing the seed sector

What we ask

We need someone with a good grasp of abstract concepts of organization and management, and a great deal of familiarity with the diverse interests of stakeholders in the seed sector in order to navigate complex processes of systems change. This intellectual capacity of the Seed Sector Governance Expert should be met by a hands-on and pragmatic approach to getting things done. S/he should be strategic, but importantly also highly motivated and tireless in pulling different levers for achieving intended results. S/he should have the diplomatic skills in managing diverse interests of stakeholders in the seed sector, framing complex problems, drawing upon and expanding networks, forming coalitions, leading by example and achieving the intended objective of establishing a collaborative and functional system of seed sector coordination and governance that contribute to seed sector transformation. We strongly encourage women to apply, are committed to being inclusive of all genders in our organization and strive to become a diverse organization.

Job Requirements

Minimum requirements:

• PhD (preferably) or at least an MSc/MA in Agricultural Policy, Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Development, Seed Science and Technology, Breeding, Agronomy, or another related subject

• At least 7 years’ experience working in seed sector development

• Good working relationships with officials in the Ministry of Agriculture and/or regional state Bureaus of Agriculture

• Comprehensive knowledge of the seed sector in Ethiopia and its major stakeholders

• Excellent facilitation skills and fluency in spoken and written English and Amharic

• A relentless drive to solve problems and succeed, tenacity and resilience

• The ability to think and act systemically

• Proficiency in MS Word, MS Excel and MS PowerPoint

We offer

Depending on your education and work experience, we offer a competitive salary as per the organization scale. Also important is the package we offer in terms of health insurance, transport allowance, providence fund contribution in addition to our pension contribution and annual cost of living adjustment.

How to Apply

Interested candidates who meet the above criteria are invited to apply by sending a motivation letter with updated CV by email at info.SWREthiopia@gmail.com within 10 working days starting from the date of announcement. Please include the position title of the application in the subject line.

Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted

Note: Employment depends on approval of the project by the donor.