Senior Technical Expert, Research

Term of Employment:  Fixed Term

Duty Station(s):              Addis Ababa

Required Number:        One

Salary & Benefits:          Competitive

Application Deadline:   January 4, 2016

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 Senior Technical Expert for the Agricultural Research Program will assist the Director of the Program in developing, implementing and supporting a portfolio of integrated initiatives to improve research services for small-holder farmers. The candidate will also assist in strengthening the research system through the strengthening of the collaboration and capabilities of federal and regional research institutions.  S/he guided by the Program Leader will work with research institutions in Ethiopia and abroad to ensure that high quality and relevant research is easily and quickly adapted and adopted to meet the needs of smallholder farmers in Ethiopia. S/he will work very closely with the Senior Technical Expert for the extension system.

The ideal Senior Technical Expert would possess a passion for improving the lives of small-holder farmers, a deep familiarity and knowledge of the Ethiopia’s agricultural research system and research institutions. S/he would likewise possess the entrepreneurial ability to visualize transformation, to mobilize stakeholders across system and to drive practical change on the ground.

This position will officially report to the Director of Research and Extension Program.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Assist in removing systemic bottlenecks that hinder the adoption of relevant technologies by Ethiopia’s smallholder farmers through working with research institutions (international, Ethiopian, public and private)

• Assist in conception, launch and support of a portfolio of integrated initiatives designed to better meet the needs of farmers through improvements in the agricultural research system of Ethiopia

• Assist in building capacity, as necessary, of all key actors in research system in order to meet the country’s long term agricultural development objectives


• Assist in maintaining effective communication with stakeholders in the technology generation and dissemination continuum

• A Bachelor  or Master of Science or PhD degree in agricultural science or related area

• At least 8 years (for Bachelor’s level) or 6 years (for Master’s/PhD level) of relevant experience in the field of agricultural research

• Deep understanding of Ethiopia’s agricultural research system with a broad perspective on how the entire system operates and how the federal, regional research centers, universities and International Agricultural Research Centers in the country interact and collaborate

• Experience in prioritizing and sequencing both programmatic and operation activities

• Experience with program design, performance management, learning systems and monitoring & evaluation

• Practical experience in research implementation, data analysis and write up

• Reliable knowledge of statistical analysis

• Good knowledge of climate smart agriculture and gender mainstreaming to ensure that agricultural technologies are gender and environmentally friendly

• Excellent intra-personal communication and leadership skills.

• Capacity to strategize and formulate plans

• Good at planning, budgeting and, implementation and follow up

• Interest and demonstrated ability to work in a multidisciplinary and multi-sector environment.

• Strong team player, highly energetic, self-motivated, goal-oriented and committed to shared goals

• Ability to thrive in a fast-moving environment with emphasis on high-performance, accountability and results

• Excellent adaptive problem-solver in challenging environment

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

• Fluency in English is essential.  Fluency in at least Amharic and/or one additional Ethiopian language is a plus


• Willingness to travel

Closing date: Jan 04, 2016

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