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The Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Agency (the Agency or ATA) is an initiative of the Government of Ethiopia (GOE) established by federal regulation. The primary aim of the Agency will be to promote agricultural sector transformation by supporting existing structures of government, private-sector and other non-governmental partners to address systemic bottlenecks and deliver on a priority national agenda to achieve growth and food security.
The formation of the ATA is a result of two years of extensive diagnostic study across eight sub-sectors of Ethiopia’s agricultural system in a highly-consultative, multi-stakeholder process led by the Ministry of Agriculture with the support of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Modeled after similar public-sector bodies in Asia (i.e. Taiwan, Korea, Malaysia, etc.) that played important roles in the growth of those national economies, the Agency’s structure and function is focused on nimble, innovative and results-oriented support to a range of partners in the agricultural sector.
The ATA will be led by a Chief Technical Adviser and a high-caliber staff of senior leadership. Governance will be provided by an inter-ministerial council, chaired by the Prime Minister. The Minister of Agriculture will serve as the Deputy Chair with additional representation from other relevant federal ministries and regional governments. The ATA will be headquartered in Addis Ababa with a foreseeable ad hoc and potential standing presence in the regions.
Programmatically, the ATA will focus on a set of high priority initiatives identified by the Council. There are expected to be approximately 5-6 initial areas of focus, including seeds, markets/cooperatives, technology access and adoption and extension and research. Across the thematic initiatives, the ATA engages public, private and non-governmental stakeholders to support strategic planning, manage and strengthen implementation capacity and test innovative models. The ATA will be financed by GOE and supported by a range of development partners.
The Technical Adviser – Agricultural Transformation Strategies will play a critical role both in external relations and in internal ATA leadership. The ideal candidate will have a passion for improving the lives of smallholder farmers and a deep knowledge of the Ethiopian agriculture sector. Likewise, s/he will have superlative leadership, management and communications skills, and an ability to translate big visions into practical, on-the-ground progress. The Technical Adviser – Agricultural Transformation Strategies will be an outstanding problem-solver and possess the ability to build trust with a broad range of stakeholders, including senior political leaders, donors, ATA staff, smallholder farmers and others.
This position will report to the Chief Technical Adviser and will be based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Major Responsibilities
In conjunction with the Chief Technical Adviser, to build and manage the Agency as an effective means of driving change and improvement in the agricultural sector in Ethiopia.
To support the Chief Technical Adviser to build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders from the Ethiopian government (at federal, regional, local levels), donor agencies, international and local NGOs and others.
To take a leadership role in the conception, organization and launch of effective Programs to improve agricultural systems.
Key Functions
• Serving as a member of the senior leadership team, responsible for the overall direction, values, culture and management of the Agency.
• Overseeing initial phase institution-building; identifying, hiring and orienting staff; building a high-performing team; establishing organizational culture and values; developing performance management systems; etc. Providing ongoing management of staff and programs past initial institution-building phase.
• Supporting the development of effective governing and decision making systems within the Agency and for the inter-ministerial council.
• Working closely with Chief Technical Adviser to develop and refine programmatic strategies, approaches, implementation plans, key performance indicators, etc.
• Working with Chief Technical Adviser to establish, support and grow internal capacity in the ATA to execute on plans and to realize key performance indicators.
• Supporting and guiding Program Directors to map and assess the interest and needs of core stakeholders in key Program areas.
• Supporting and guiding Program Directors to develop and execute stakeholder engagement plans. Engaging in active communication and relationship building with stakeholders, through formal and informal one-on-one meetings, convening events, speaking engagements, etc.
• Providing leadership and performance management support to the ATA team in the execution of strategies and plans.
• Engaging in active problem-solving to overcome obstacles encountered during program execution.
• Supporting learning from program initiatives to continually improve the performance of the Agency.
· Serves and promotes the vision, mission, values, and strategic goals of UNDP
· Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability Plans, prioritizes, and delivers tasks on time
Management and Leadership:
· Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback
· Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
· Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills
· Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities
· Sets clear performance goals and standards; executes responsibilities accordingly
Managing Relationships
· Builds strong client relationships;
· Identifies opportunities and builds strategic partnerships;
· Communicates clearly and convincingly
Managing Complexity
· Supports development of clear Unit strategy;
· Develops innovative solutions
Knowledge-management and Learning: Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside UNDP
· Promotes knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example
· Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills
Results-Orientation and Development Effectiveness:
· Plans and produces quality results to meet established goals
· Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting
· Ability to lead implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects, mobilize resources
· Experience in Projects management with the United Nations System ;
· Good knowledge of the political environment, administration of developing countries particularly countries of the west African region;
· Ability to work under pressure in a multicultural and complex environment;
· Ability to produce reports and high leveled political analysis;
· Capacity to dialogue with electoral and high leveled political and Administrative Officers as well as donors from the international community;
Education:
• Master’s degree in Business Administration, or Master’s / PhD in Agriculture or other relevant subject.
Experience:
• 10 years in a senior management position in agricultural or related sector in Ethiopia with a government, international or private sector agency.
• Remarkable track record in developing and executing strategies, plans and initiatives on agriculture development / transformation (or related sectors).
• Demonstrated track record in building, leading and managing high-performing organizations and teams.
• Exceptional experience in communicating consistently, clearly and effectively with a broad range broad range of stakeholders.
•Knowledge of Ethiopia and ability to navigate the Ethiopian system to achieve results.
Language Requirements:
• Fluency in English is essential. Fluency in Amharic and other Ethiopian languages is desired.
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