Technical Positions, Ethiopia | ReliefWeb

For over 50 years and in 146 countries, ACDI/VOCA has empowered people in developing and transitional nations to succeed in the global economy. Based in Washington, D.C., ACDI/VOCA is a nonprofit international development organization that delivers technical and management assistance in agribusiness, financial services, enterprise development, community development and food security in order to promote broad-based economic growth and vibrant civil society. ACDI/VOCA currently has approximately 34 projects in 26 countries and revenues of approximately $174 million.

We are currently seeking experts and advisors for an anticipated USAID-funded activity in Ethiopia that will focus on agricultural development, agribusiness and market development. The project will work to sustainably reduce poverty and hunger by improving the productivity and competitiveness of value chains that offer jobs and income opportunities for rural households.

We are looking for experts in the following technical areas:

·*Project Management – Technical****:*

oProvide overall technical vision, leadership, and project management in planning, design and implementation of the project; ensure day-to-day technical, schedule, and financial performance of the project in accordance with the scope of work and annual work plans.

o Minimum of eight years of technical experience in agriculture development and marketing. Five years of experience managing large, multi-year USG-funded development programs. Degree in an agricultural discipline or related field.

·*Agriculture Productivity*:

o Assess needs of farmers in target value chains; identify productivity constraints and appropriate solutions including use of inputs like seeds, fertilizers, crop protection and animal health interventions as well as improved production techniques; design strategies to encourage the use of appropriate technologies.

o Relevant advanced degree and eight years of experience in agricultural production, economics, agribusiness or related field.

· Agro Enterprise Marketing:

o Lead value chain approach and learning process to ensure project interventions are targeted and responsive to evolving market requirements and needs for upgrading.

o Relevant advanced degree and eight years of work experience in agro enterprise development, production, economics, agribusiness, or related field. Previous work on market-led value chain development programs in Ethiopia.

· Value Chain Development:

o Conduct market and value chain research, and support partners to increase sales; identify partners for capacity building and investment.

o Advanced degree or equivalent in agricultural economics and development, business administration, or international trade and ten years of experience in designing and implementing agriculture development programs.

·*Finance and Investment Services*:

oImprove capability of partners to engage with financial institutions and develop a financial infrastructure that enables institutions to offer more financial services.

o Advanced degree and eight years of work experience in commercial banking and agricultural finance. Strong knowledge of financial sector and investment climate in Ethiopia with SME finance and agribusiness development. Experience with credit guarantee mechanisms.

· Enabling Environment and Policy:

o Work with government agencies, private sector and other stakeholders to improve the policy and regulatory environment for agricultural development.

o Advanced degree in law, finance, business, or agricultural economics and eight years of experience in agribusiness, agriculture development and policy, and food security, preferably with USAID experience; outstanding oral and written communications skills, and demonstrated ability to develop and deliver concise, actionable analysis and thought leadership products.

· Monitoring and Evaluation:

o Guide the M&E approach and strategy; oversee and coordinate monitoring and evaluation activities; oversee impact analysis and results in all areas and across sub-contractors and sub-grantees.

o Advanced degree in sociology, statistics or related field and at least seven years’ experience in international development designing, implementing and managing M&E systems in nutrition/ food security projects. USAID experience preferred. Strong skills in quantitative and qualitative research methods, survey design and implementation, and statistical data analysis required.

· Gender Mainstreaming:

o Oversee gender strategy in collaboration with value chain managers to ensure the integration of gender concepts into project design, implementation, and M&E.

o Bachelor’s degree in sociology, gender studies, economics, or related field and at least seven years of experience in gender and youth integration programming in Ethiopia including knowledge of participatory approaches. Demonstrated understanding of USAID Feed the Future, gender, youth and value chain approaches. USAID experience preferred.

· Nutrition/BCC:

o Provide technical leadership to implement nutrition specific and nutrition sensitive strategies and activities; design and deliver pragmatic nutrition strategies and interventions that lead to positive nutritional outcomes.

o Advanced degree in nutrition and at least five years of experience in nutrition, health, behavioral, or social sciences; experience in program design and implementation in nutrition and capacity to liaise and negotiate with key stakeholders.

· Capacity Building:

o Implement and coordinate capacity building interventions in all project areas.

o Degree in agriculture, business, health or related field and at least five years of experience managing capacity building activities. Demonstrated experience designing and delivering trainings on business development; interpersonal skills able to build personal relationships with staff, donors and government leaders in a culturally sensitive manner; strong written communication skills, and ability to write documents in a concise, well-organized manner.

·*Livestock Production and Marketing*:

o Oversee all livestock marketing and productions activities ensuring that staff are following work plans on schedule and that project deliverables are completed.

o Advanced degree in agriculture, agribusiness, agricultural economics, livestock and eight years of experience in livestock productivity and market development.

·*Ag ICT*:

oPromote and provide technical assistance using ICT tools.

oExperience in technical assistance in the agriculture sector using ICT tools and at least five years of experience supporting agricultural programs by deploying technology; and advanced degree in a related field.

·*Business Development Services*:

oDesign and implement technical interventions to improve competitiveness of selected value chains.

oM.B.A. or advanced degree in trade, economics, business, marketing or other relevant field and at least ten years of relevant experience supporting business modeling, access to finance and marketing.

·*Agricultural Inputs*:

oDevelop field-ready strategies to increase farmers’ knowledge and use of appropriate inputs in response to barriers; strengthen the private and public sector roles and capacity to demonstrate input use.

o Advanced degree in agriculture, agribusiness, agricultural economics, business, or related field and eight years of experience in agricultural inputs.

· Environment/ climate smart agriculture:

o Ensure activities are environmentally sound by assessing possible environmental and climate change impacts; prepare environmental assessments and review framework and Initial Environmental Examinations of priority project activities.

o Advanced degree in a relevant field and experience producing documentation to comply with USAID environmental regulations; demonstrated ability to work and coordinate in the Ethiopian context and to produce technical reports with an understanding of quantitative data for monitoring and reporting.

· Finance/Operations:

o Plan, organize, distribute, and coordinate work flow; supervise, train, and guide staff; establish work plans and annual performance goals for each team member, ensuring timely and quality execution of group deliverables.

o BA in business and at least six years of experience in senior-level finance position with an international development organization; USAID experience and contracts experience preferred; experience managing subcontract portfolio required; Demonstrated knowledge of accounting standards and knowledge of US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles preferred. Experience working with accounting software packages, such as QuickBooks.

·*Grants Manager*:

oDesign and provide overall leadership of grants fund to ensure management of a transparent and effective grants program, including grant agreements and subcontracts with local communities and partners.

oAdvanced degree pluseight years of experience with USAID-funded project; experience in process management/analytical experience and techniques to develop and improving processes; experience negotiating USG vendor contracts and/or managing vendor and sub-contract relationships.

Additional Qualifications:

• Strong written and oral communication skills in English required, Amharic desirable.

• Strong management skills, with good understanding of Ethiopian business environment and context.

• Experience working on USAID funded projects desirable.

• Previous experience in Ethiopia preferred.