ETHIOPIAN AGRICULTURAL TRANSFORMATION INSTITUTE

Position:              Advisor:  Planning ,Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting  

Term of Employment:           One year with a possibility of extension

Duty Station:                         Addis Ababa, Secondment to MoA 

Required Number:                One

Application Deadline:          January 23, 2025

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 centre of innovative solutions to catalyse 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 skillsets 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 mentorships necessary to achieve their career goals.

Position Summary

The Advisor for Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting plays a crucial role as the primary technical expert for the strategic affairs team. In this capacity the advisor delivers high quality. Specialized input to enhance the ministry’s initiative in essential area such as planning. Monitoring, evaluation, and reporting (PMER). Information Management, project management and strategic partnership. Additionally, the advisor focuses on integrating cross-cutting issues within these frameworks to ensure a holistic approach and development.

A significant aspect of the advisor’s role involves supporting the strategic Affairs executive office in various human capacity building initiatives. This includes designing and implementing training programs that empower staff and stakeholders with the necessary skills and knowledge to execute key planning, Monitoring evaluation and learning (PMEL) functions effectively. Through these effort, the advisor aims to foster a continuous improvement and accountability, ultimately driving the successful delivery of the Ministry’s strategic objectives.

The position holder works closely with the strategic Affairs executive office to offer insightful though partnership, strategic guidance, and comprehensive support for the Ministry’s initiatives. This includes enhancing the efficiency of the design and planning processes, as well as overseeing project and program management activities the role also focuses on establishing a robust measurement system that not only demonstrates tangible results but also upholds a high standard of accountability. By doing so, he /she ensures that all projects align with the Ministry’s overarching objectives and contribute to its long-term success.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES

• The position holders is responsible for enhancing the team’s capabilities in operational planning, performance monitoring, evaluation, learning, and adaptation. This involves providing coaching and mentoring to introduce innovative approaches that ensure the planning process is evidence-based and aligns with the 10-years sector development plan and the subsequent Medium-Term sector plan. An emphasis will be placed on producing high quality analytical reports that provide insights and recommendations, ultimately enhancing data utilization among decision makers.

• Ensure the effective and efficient conduct of review meetings, learning sessions, workshops and other consultation events.

• The advisor will assist in refining the strategic data needs of the Ministry based on the major use cases that support decision making. This work involves developing and refining indicators and data collection instruments that outline the definitions, units of measurement, data sources, methods of data collection, and the frequency and timing of data collection. The goal is to standardize and harmonize data collection processes ensuring a consistent flow of information both horizontally across institutions and vertically across all levels of government.

• Support the development of a unified approach to project management that highlights their contribution to achieving strategic objectives in the Agriculture Sector.

•  Conduct a thorough assessment of human capacity gaps that may impede the effective implementation of activities across key functions outlined by the strategic affairs team.

• Assist in creating and executing a human capacity-building plan in line with the new restructuring and staffing for planning, monitoring and evaluation, information management, project management and strategic partnerships.

• Facilitate the establishment of effective and cooperative partnership with relevant stakeholders engaged in agriculture and across monitoring, learning, and evaluation (MLE) functions, including government organization, civil society, and donors.

• Collaborate with relevant teams in the agricultural Transformation initiative (ATI), which focus on building capacity and systems for improved data analytics and knowledge management within the agriculture sector.

• This position reports to the executive officer for strategic Affairs at the Ministry of Agriculture.

• Undertake additional assignments as appropriate and as directed by Supervisor.  

Job Requirements

Required qualifications, competencies, skills, training, and experience:

• Minimum MSc or Ph.D. degree in in project monitoring and evaluation, project management, economics, agri-economics, development studies or other related fields.

• A minimum of 12 years for MSc or 6 years for PhD with directly related experience

• In-depth knowledge of Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) system, especially in the agriculture sector.

• Proven experience in M& E with donor-funded projects implemented with multiple partners.

• Demonstrated technical, analytical, and quality planning and reporting skills.

• Demonstrated experience and ability to device implementation approaches and guide project teams in the implementation and M&E to achieve target indicators.

• Ability to develop learning agenda and produce learnings on project impacts for wider dissemination and institutionalization. 

• Strong understanding of national strategic priorities and policies in the agriculture sector. 

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, and ability to develop stakeholder collaboration and partnerships.

• Ability to stay composed and positive in difficult moments and perform in dynamic working environment.

• Ability to complete multiple assignments and produce quality results under tight schedules.

• Ability to work with multidisciplinary team and develop collegial relationships.

• Excellent negotiation and conflict resolution skills

• Strong communication skills (written, verbal, composing, presentation, etc.).

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) 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.