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Term of Employment: Project Based
Duty Station(s): Addis Ababa
Required Number: One
Salary & Benefits: Competitive
Application Deadline: February 08, 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 Project Officer (SPO) in the Market Services Program will assist the Director of Market Services Program in the development, implementation and support of a portfolio of initiatives designed to improve the effective functioning of agricultural market services in Ethiopia.
The SPO will identify, initiate and support interventions that aim at modernizing agricultural markets for smallholder farmers to enhance their competitiveness both in local and international markets in high priority areas of cereals, oil crops, high value pulses, livestock and other agricultural produces.
The ideal SPO will possess a passion for improving the lives of small-holder farmers, a deep familiarity with Ethiopia’s agricultural system, and extensive knowledge of Ethiopia’s agricultural markets. S/he will likewise possess the entrepreneurial ability to visualize transformation, to mobilize stakeholders across markets and drive practical change on the ground. S/he will also possess a strong interest in pursuing a career in the public sector, and in continuing to share the analytical, content and leadership/management knowledge.
This position will officially report to the Director of Market Services Program. The position is a one-year, fixed term, temporary appointment with the possibility of extension based on satisfactory performances.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
a) To support the undertaking of a diagnostics to identify systemic bottlenecks in agricultural market support services and to actively participate in the design of interventions to ensure the creation of efficient, accessible and equitable agricultural markets.
b) To assist in the conception, launch, and support over time of a portfolio of initiatives designed to measurably improve the development of agricultural market services in Ethiopia.
c) To support the Director in building the capacity, as necessary, of key government, private and informal actors in Ethiopia’s markets system to enable long term improvements within the agricultural markets system.
Key functions of the role:
- Supports the Director of the Markets Services Program in
o Analytical work
o The preparation of periodic reports
o Coordinating stakeholders and organizing workshops / forums
- Assists in the engagement of stakeholders across the markets system (government, business, civil society, universities, cooperatives, farmers’ organizations, farmers, donors, etc.) to identify and prioritize actions to improve the efficiency of the agricultural market system
- Works with stakeholders to design and then implement high-priority interventions to improve the agricultural output markets system
- Engages other programs within the ATA to ensure that efforts by the Market Services Program are aligned and supportive of other activities undertaken in the agricultural sector, especially in Agricultural Commercialization Clusters project
- Aids in managing the performance of agricultural markets initiatives; setting key performance indicators, milestones and targets; engaging stakeholders to creatively solve problems and overcome obstacles in order to achieve desired results
- Assists the Director in critically assessing capacity gaps hindering the effective implementation of market services initiatives and developing approaches for improving capabilities as required
- Works with the Director of the Market Services Program so that the ATA market Services initiatives are used as a platform for project-based learning
- Aid the Market Services Program in the integration of markets initiatives with other ATA programs to achieve synergies and outcomes that impact the broader agricultural system
- Minimum of Maters’ degree in Agricultural Economics, Marketing Management, Business Administration or another relevant subject;
- At least 7-10 years of experience in the field of agricultural markets
- Profound knowledge and understanding of Ethiopia’s agricultural market system, with a broad perspective on how the entire system operates (how public, private and informal actors operate within the system)
- Deep knowledge of Agricultural Marketing systems including the existing market support services such as market oriented grades and standards, packaging and branding, commodity certification, contract farming, warehouse receipts system and commodity exchanges
- Ability to coordinate and manage stakeholders – particularly the key market players – within major agricultural commodity markets
- Ability to conduct markets research and market analysis, identify systemic bottlenecks and come up with potential recommendations
- Ability to conduct rapid market appraisal, market development research and come up with appropriate intervention recommendations for implementation
- Experience in prioritizing and sequencing both programmatic and operation activities
- Experience 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 provide coaching and mentoring to team members in the areas of markets, strategic thinking, project design, best management practices, and building strong partnerships
- Ability to build professional relationships with different sectors and persons
- Highly facilitative and collaborative leadership style
- Excellent adaptive problem-solver in challenging environment
- Excellent analytical skills
- 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.
Closing date: Feb 08, 2016
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