ETHIOPIAN AGRICULTURAL TRANSFORMATION INSTITUTE (ATI)

Job Announcement

Position:                                   Senior Project Officer II-Crop Value Chain  

Term of Employment:             One year with a possibility of extension  

Duty Station(s):                       Tigray (Based at Mekelle) 

Required Number:                  one 

Application Deadline:             October 2,2024

BACKGROUND

The Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Institute (ATI), formerly known as the Agricultural Transformation Agency (ATA), is a strategy and delivery-oriented government institute created to help accelerate the growth and transformation of Ethiopia’s agriculture sector, which is a key contributor to the country’s GDP, exports, and workforce. The ATI’s work is centred on improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers (SHFs) across the country for improved income, inclusiveness, resilience, and sustainability. 

The ATI works to transform the agriculture sector in Ethiopia by conducting policy and analytical studies, providing technical implementation support and capacity building, coordinating. 

platforms to better integrate partners and projects and designing and directly leading several innovative/pilot interventions. 

The Institute joins forces with various stakeholders, including policymakers, researchers, farmers, and development partners, to support the implementation of agricultural development programs and initiatives. In addition, the ATI collaborates with national and international partners to facilitate knowledge exchange and learning opportunities. The Institute plays a crucial role in generating and disseminating information to support evidence-based decision-making in Ethiopia’s agricultural sector.

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, all activities concerning the increase in productivity and resilience of farming systems, as well as activities linked to strengthening local seed, seedling, and plant germplasm selection and management capacity,. He will also oversee irrigation related activities.

He/she will collaborate closely with the Project Manager for the implementation of all other agricultural activities in Component 1.1, 1.3 and part of Result 2.1 in component 2. He/she will report to the FARM project Manager.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

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

• Liaise with FARM project stakeholders at regional and subregional level and coordinate the implementation of activities at regional level with the FARM project team.

• Properly link and align with Regional Bureau of Agriculture and Tigray Agriculture research Institute for proper implementation and coordination of planned activities.

• Participate and contribute 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;

• Support the monitoring of project progress and the evaluation of results.

• 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

• Support the drafting of project related reports through regular reporting on regional activities to the FARM project manager in a timely manner and including reporting on ESMF and GAP implementation status and complaint and resolution status.

• 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

• Contribute to ensure coordination and harmonization of FARM project activities with those of government authorities and other Development Partners active in the Tigray region.

• Assist in beneficiary targeting (with the PSNP for component (1), based on the established criteria in the region.

• Facilitate knowledge management, particularly in terms of lessons learned and best practices which may feed a dialogue with government authorities and other DPs as well as contribute to future interventions and policy making.

Job Requirements

Required Qualification, Competencies and Experience

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

• Minimum  8-year 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) participate 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 Tigray region in Ethiopian context is a strong asset.

• Experience in crop and livestock feed or forage value chains, particularly seed (formal and informal), support or management would be 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.

• Rigour, autonomy, and integrity

How to Apply

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

We invite all candidates meeting the required qualifications to submit (i) a cover letter and (ii) a CV (maximum 5 pages) online using THIS LINK

It is mandatory to mention the position title under the subject line of your application email.  

Please DO NOT submit scans of certificates with your application.  

Women are highly encouraged to apply. 

NB. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted