Ethiopia: Project Team Leader - Tef International Market Access (TIMA) Project

Vacancy Announcement

ETHIOPIAN AGRICULTURAL TRANSFORMATION AGENCY

Position: Project Team Leader – Tef International Market Access (TIMA) Project

Term of Employment: Project based

Duty Station(s): Addis Ababa

Required Number:One

Salary & Benefits: Competitive

Application Deadline: October 18, 2015

BACKGROUND:

The Agricultural Transformation Agency (ATA) has been established by the Government of Ethiopia (GoE) to identify and address systemic bottlenecks to Ethiopia’s agricultural development. The Agency does this through problem-solving, implementation support, and capacity building of stakeholders involved in implementation of interventions that address the systemic bottlenecks. The Agency reports to a Transformation Council chaired by the Prime Minister and whose co-chair is the Minister of Agriculture.

The programmatic focus of the Agency responds to a core set of needs identified by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Transformation Council. Within the Agency, issues are divided into three different groups: Production and Productivity which includes Inputs and Crop Protection, Livestock, Research and Extension, Mechanization and Rural Finance; Agribusiness and Markets including Market Support Services, Commercial Farming, Agro-processing & Market Development, and Cooperatives Development; and Environmentally Sustainable and Inclusive Agricultural Growth including Natural Resource Management, Sustainable Land Management, Gender Equality and Nutrition, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management, and Planning and MLE. Across the programs, the ATA engages public, private and non-governmental stakeholders to support strategic planning, manage and strengthen implementation capacity and test innovative models.

OUR CULTURE

We have an exceptional team of employees with a proven track record of success in managing complex activities and achieving transformational results. Our culture is one where talented individuals are committed to doing their best and work together to achieve excellent results.

At ATA, 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, motivated colleagues and excellent career development and training. We recognize our most valuable assets are our people and are committed to providing our employees with the tools and training necessary to achieve their career goals.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Tef International Market Access(TIMA) project has been established to ensure that Ethiopia benefits from the increasing popularity of tef in the international market. The TIMA Project Team Leader will primarily be responsible for mapping out the value chain for tef from production to markets and identify the potential for tef in the international market. S/he will work with the ATA Senior Management, MOA, TIMA steering committee members and other key stakeholders to develop and implement a model to permit limited export of tef flour by commercial farmers without adversely affecting domestic supply, while also emphasizing and promoting local value addition.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Assume overall responsibility for the implementation of the TIMA project working with multiple partners.


• Establish a foothold in the growing tef market and widely promote an “Ethiopian tef” brand in the international market.


• Engage stakeholders across the Agricultural system (government, business, cooperatives, Commercial farmers etc.) to foster effective linkages and promote local value addition on Tef before export


• Engage with stakeholders to identify the potential for tef in international market.


• Identify gaps and recommend ways to ensure the quality of Tef is as per the export standard set by the Ethiopian government


• Support stakeholders to mobilize needed financial, human or organizational resources for project execution.


• Support commercial farmers in processing Tef export licensing


• Serve as the leader of the TIMA project team, responsible for the overall direction and management of the project


• Manage the performance of the project; setting key performance indicators, milestones and targets; engaging stakeholders to creatively solve problems and overcome obstacles in order to achieve desired results.


• Critically assessing capacity gaps hindering the effective implementation of the TIMA project and developing approaches for improving capabilities as required.


• Integrate the TIMA project with other ATA programs and projects to achieve synergies and outcomes that impact the broader agricultural system.


• Draw and document lessons and experiences from the project and ccontribute to the development of an institutionalized knowledge base for the ATA.


• Regularly report to the Senior Director of Agribusiness and Markets and CEO on progress, challenges and constraints of the work.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree (PhD preferred) in Agricultural Economics, Business Administration, Economics or closely related field.


• At least 10 years of relevant experience in Agricultural sector with international experience and significant understanding of value chains and the Tef sector, of which at least 5-7 years in a leadership role.


• Knowledge of the international marketing system.


• Deep understanding of Ethiopia’s agricultural system, with a broad perspective on how the entire system operates and how public, private and informal actors operate within the system.


• Experience in creating partnership at the national level and (preferably) at international level.


• Practical experience in piloting, implementing, and scaling up solutions at the local level.


• Experience in prioritizing and sequencing both programmatic and operational activities.


• Experience in working with public and private sector partners.


• Demonstrated track record of success with program design, performance management, learning systems, and monitoring & evaluation.


• Ability to thrive in a fast-moving, start-up environment, with an emphasis on high-performance, teamwork, accountability and results.


• Ability to build relationships with all kinds of people.


• Highly facilitative and collaborative leadership style.


• Excellent adaptive problem-solver in a challenging environment.


• Excellent analytical skills.


• Strong set of personal values including integrity, honesty and desire to be of service.


• · Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and Amharic are essential. Fluency in one additional Ethiopian language is a plus.

How to apply:

We invite all candidates meeting the required qualifications to send (i) a cover letter, (ii) CV (maximum 5 pages), and (iii) a completed ATA Application Form, which can be downloaded athttp://www.ata.gov.et/wp-content/uploads/Application-Form2.pdf.

Please note that CVs, cover letter and other application materials WILL NOT be considered unless accompanied by a fully completed ATA Application Form. Also, please DO NOT submit scans of certificates with your application form.

Please email (i) cover letter, (ii) CV (maximum 5 pages) and (iii) the completed application form toRecruitment@ata.gov.et****and include****“*Application forProject Team Leader, TIMA” the subject line.

Women are highly encouraged to apply.

NB. Only short listed candidates will be contacted.

Application Deadline: October 18, 2015

Ethiopia: Project Team Leader - Tef International Market Access (TIMA) Project