Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Institute

Vacancy announcement

Position:    Cluster 2 Coordinator: Sustainable and Equitable Consumption of Healthy, Safe, and Nutrient-dense Diets throughout the life cycle  

Term of Employment:             One year with a possibility of extension

Duty Station(s):                        Addis Ababa, Ethiopia   

Required Number:                   One

Application Deadline:             July 4/2024

BACKGROUND

The Agricultural Transformation Institute (ATI) was established by the Government of Ethiopia (GoE) to identify systemic bottlenecks, conduct studies, and provide recommendations, provide implementation support, manage projects, create linkages and coordination among activities and agricultural development programs. The Institute 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 that, to be the leading center of innovative solutions to catalyze and contribute to the transformation of Ethiopian Agriculture by 2030 where smallholder farmers are commercialized with greater incomes, inclusiveness, resilience, and sustainability.

ATI provides a unique 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 teams with the tools, training, and mentorships necessary to achieve their career goals.

The programmatic focus of the Institute responds to a core set of needs identified by the Ministry of Agriculture and other sectors along commodity value chains. Across the programs, the ATI engages public, private, and non-governmental stakeholders to support strategic planning, manage and strengthen implementation capacity and test innovative models. Currently, ATI is tasked to coordinate the revised Agriculture and Rural Development policy agendas of the sector and such sectoral level delegation requires high level expertise in the policy areas and skillets in coordination and networking with multiple stakeholders.

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 teamwork 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 mentorship necessary to achieve their career goals.

Ethiopian Food Systems and Nutrition Transformation (EFSN)

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a comprehensive plan for people, the planet, and prosperity, aim to strengthen universal peace and greater freedom. It acknowledges that eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions, including extreme poverty, is the most significant global challenge and an essential prerequisite for sustainable development. The United Nations Secretary-General has convened the UN Food Systems Summit (UNFSS), a crucial platform designed to assist member states in driving food systems transformation and accelerating global progress towards the SDGs. Ethiopia actively participates in the UNFSS and has developed its food system transformation. In this context, the Ethiopian Food Systems and Nutrition transformation is of utmost importance and offers a unique opportunity to contribute to these global efforts.

The Ethiopian Food Systems and Nutrition (EFSN) transformation pathway has 24 game-changing solutions and is structured around three pillars of governance: federal, Regional, and Partnerships. Each pillar, including the private sector, research institutions, universities, civil society organizations, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and the general public, plays a crucial role across the food systems chain. The Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee (IMSC) is a body consisting of 15 ministries. Effective coordination, a key aspect of this role, is essential to align the efforts of different individuals, groups, or departments toward a common goal. Ethiopia is fully committed to transforming its food system. 

Moreover, the Agricultural Transformation Institute (ATI), a key player in the Ethiopian Food Systems and Nutrition (EFSN) Transformation, has been chosen as the secretariat, overseeing the work of the Technical Support Unit (TSU). As part of the TSU, the incumbent will be at the forefront of this transformation, providing crucial technical support and contributing to its overall success. 

This position presents a distinctive chance for personal and professional advancement. It involves collaborating with a team of experts in a dynamic and demanding setting. We are seeking individuals who are eager to grow and contribute to our transformative work. By joining our team, the incumbent will contribute to the achievement of the national efforts to transform Ethiopian food systems and SDGs.

Background: Ethiopian Food Systems and Nutrition Transformation (EFSN)

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a comprehensive plan for people, the planet, and prosperity, aim to strengthen universal peace and greater freedom. It acknowledges that eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions, including extreme poverty, is the most significant global challenge and an essential prerequisite for sustainable development. The United Nations Secretary-General has convened the UN Food Systems Summit (UNFSS), a crucial platform designed to assist member states in driving food systems transformation and accelerating global progress towards the SDGs. Ethiopia is an active participant in the UNFSS and has developed its own food system transformation. In this context, the role we are offering is of utmost importance and offers a unique opportunity to contribute to these global efforts.

The Ethiopian Food Systems and Nutrition (EFSN) transformation pathway has 24 game-changing solutions and is structured around three pillars of governance: federal, Regional, and Partnerships. Each pillar, including the private sector, research institutions, universities, civil society organizations, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and the general public, plays a crucial role across the food systems chain. The Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee (IMSC) is a body consisting of 15 ministries. Effective coordination, a key aspect of this role, is essential to align the efforts of different individuals, groups, or departments toward a common goal. Ethiopia is fully committed to transforming its food system. 

Moreover, the Agricultural Transformation Institute (ATI), a key player in the Ethiopian Food Systems and Nutrition (EFSN) Transformation, has been chosen as the secretariat, overseeing the work of the Technical Support Unit (TSU). As part of the TSU, the incumbent will be at the forefront of this transformation, providing crucial technical support and contributing to its overall success. 

This position presents a distinctive chance for personal and professional advancement. It involves collaborating with a team of experts in a dynamic and demanding setting. We are seeking individuals who are eager to grow and contribute to our transformative work. By joining our team, the incumbent will contribute to the achievement of the national efforts to transform Ethiopian food systems and SDGs.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Cluster Coordinator is an integral part of the TSU and will be responsible for providing technical assistance to key actors in the EFSN, with a specific focus on Cluster-specific responsibilities. The Cluster Coordinator supports the planning and coordination of efforts across EFSN's 24 Game-changing solutions and coordinates engagements between the Interministerial Steering committees, Cluster Working Groups, specialized teams (such as M&E, socialization, etc.), and regional implementation status. The Cluster Coordinator will work under the EFSN Secretariat to ensure effective delivery, communication, and collaboration across the relevant EFS cluster. He/she will work closely with the TSU Principal Coordinator and other members of the TSU and be responsible for guiding the technical work of the relevant Cluster Working Groups, providing regular updates on progress, challenges, and support needed.

The Cluster Coordinator is expected to strengthen the program’s focus and approach by linking the EFSN with the specific thematic focus of the clustered areas, including broad national priorities. He/she is expected to work with key stakeholders to ensure that the EFSN is accepted and increasingly institutionalized within the stakeholders. 

The Cluster Coordinator is expected to work closely with the TSU team under the guidance of the principal coordinator to oversee the implementation of game-changing solutions to promote the strategic growth of the country's food system.

The successful applicant is expected to be driven and dynamic, have a problem-solving mindset, and have excellent communication skills. This role presents a unique opportunity to engage with key players in the food and nutrition ecosystem, both local and international.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Coordinate the activities and efforts of the relevant Cluster Working Group, including facilitating meetings, documenting discussions, and tracking progress.

• Work with Cluster Working Group members to undertake detailed diagnostics that inform policy formulation and legal arrangements needed to implement the game-changing solutions.

• Provide updates on the status of clusters/game changers to the EFSN Secretariat.

• Support regional and local-level action by the Cluster Working Groups, ensuring alignment with the overall EFSN transformation strategy.

• Identify key bottlenecks or challenges that may affect the implementation of the game-changing solutions and work with the TSU members to develop strategies to address them.

• Document and disseminate best practices and lessons learned from the Cluster Working Groups to inform broader food systems transformation efforts.

• Collaborate with other TSU members to support the Secretariat in prepare presentations, meeting minutes, and other materials for the Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee.

• Engage with a wide range of food systems stakeholders, including government agencies, private sector, civil society, and development partners, to facilitate coordination and alignment.

• Represent the Cluster Working Groups in high-visibility activities, task forces, and working groups related to food systems transformation.

• Perform other duties as assigned by the TSU Principal Coordinator and EFSN Secretariat to support the overall success of the EFSN transformation.

Job Requirements

Required Qualification, Competencies and Experience

• MSC in nutrition science, public health, social sciences or other relevant fields.

• Minimum 8 years of experience in designing and implementing multi-sectoral nutrition interventions targeting different life cycle stages, particularly focusing on women, adolescents, and young children

• Demonstrated expertise in promoting dietary diversity, behavior change communication, and food and nutrition literacy programs

• Strong understanding of the social, cultural, and economic determinants of dietary practices and nutrition outcomes in Ethiopia

• Familiarity with the Seqota Declaration and experience in fostering government commitment and local ownership of nutrition initiatives

• Knowledge of food-based dietary guidelines development and implementation

• Proven track record of collaborating with diverse stakeholders, including government agencies, civil society organizations, and community-based groups

• Experience in monitoring, evaluation, and learning to assess the impact of nutrition interventions

• Demonstrated national and/or international experience in multi-sectoral coordination, inter-disciplinary and multi-cultural leadership, and communication, as well as deeper knowledge of the Ethiopian economy.

• A strong research and operational leadership experience.

• Adequate experience in translating complex technical material and research findings into tools that support evidence-based decision-making.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills, at least in Amharic and English, to interact with various individuals, including elected and government officials, development partners, the public, and key stakeholders.

How to Apply

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

We invite all candidates meeting the required qualifications to send (i) a cover letter and (ii) a CV (maximum of three pages) online using THIS LINK

Also, please DO NOT submit certificates with scans on your application form. 

Women are highly encouraged to apply.

NB. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.