.png)
Vacancy Announcement
ETHIOPIAN AGRICULTURAL TRANSFORMATION AGENCY
Position: Project Team Leader, Direct Seed Marketing (DSM)
Term of Employment: Project based – six months with possible extension
Duty Station(s): Addis Ababa
Required Number: One
Salary & Benefits: Competitive
Application Deadline: August 9, 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 verticals; Systems which includes seeds, soil health and fertility management, cooperatives, input/output markets, mechanization and extension/research; high priority Value Chains including tef, wheat, maize, pulses and oilseeds, and livestock; and Cross Cutting Initiatives that include gender mainstreaming, climate adaptation and environmental sustainability, and monitoring and evaluation. Across these programs, 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 the GoE and a range of development partners.
Project Background:
The seed system program, within the Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Agency, is set up to strengthen the seed system so that it can deliver sufficient quantities of high quality seeds of improved varieties in a timely manner, enabling farmers to increase their yield, and ultimately their household income. The program works in close partnership with relevant stakeholders in the design and implementation of strategic interventions that will address systemic bottlenecks of the seed system across the value chain.
Among the flagship deliverables of the seed program is the evaluation and scale-up of Direct Seed Marketing (DSM) pilots through a collaborative effort with relevant implementing and development partners. This marketing scheme is an alternative seed marketing model in which seed producers take an active role in the distribution of seed through multiple channels including private agents, cooperatives, and producer-owned outlets. The primary objective of DSM is to enhance the availability of high-quality certified seed to farmers in timely manner. In 2014, ATA in collaboration with MoA-BoAs and development partners launched a national project to refine and further scale Direct Seed Marketing (DSM) program across the regional states of Oromia, Amhara, SNNP and Tigray. Drawing lessons from DSM-2014, the program is currently being implemented across 85 woredas during the current planting season (2015).
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:
Given the above background, ATA is looking to hire one Project Team Leader to work with MoA-regional BoAs, various development partners, and other stakeholders to oversee and coordinate the implementation of the DSM expansion project.
The Project Team Leader will lead a dedicated DSM team that is currently operating under the Seed Program. The Project Team Leader will be tasked to coordinate project activities across each region. Moreover, the Project Team Leader will manage technical experts that are assigned to oversee the initiative in a given region.
The ideal Project Team Leader possesses a passion for improving the lives of small-holder farmers, and a deep familiarity with Ethiopia’s agricultural system. The candidate should have strong skills and experience in project management, stakeholder management and coordination. Moreover, the candidate is expected to have extensive background knowledge and experience in the marketing and distribution of agricultural inputs and cooperative development. In addition, s/he should possess the operational and entrepreneurial ability to mobilize stakeholders across the seed system, and drive practical change on the ground.
This position will officially report to the Director of Seed Program.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
The major duties of the Project Team Leader include, but are not limited to, the following:
· Workplan development: lead the development of detailed implementation plan for each region with clear activities, milestones and targets in close collaboration with BoAs and development partners
· Coordination: ensure alignment of different stakeholders and complementarity of project activities between each region so that DSM design principles are implemented uniformly
· Administration: manage project resources (budget) and support technical experts who are currently overseeing the implementation of DSM in each region
· Resource mobilization: identify resource needs and develop concept notes/ proposals for mobilizing resources (funding, technical support, etc) that are critical for implementing DSM
· Capacity building: identify capacity gaps at different levels and design support programs in collaboration with technical experts e.g. training programs, organization of workshops, etc.
· Monitoring, learning and evaluation: lead tracking of project results and outputs in accordance with ATA’s overall MLE framework
· Reporting: document and report project progress and associated risks to ATA’s leadership (program director) and external partners (MoA, BoAs and development partners)
· Support related projects: coordinate with external partners and ATA teams in co-launching Input Tracking system (ITS) and Input Credit through voucher system in selected woredas
· Integration with related external projects/ program: liaise with external development partners and ensure effective integration of DSM project with other related programs e.g. CNFA’s Farm Service Center (FSC) program, Integrated Seed Sector Development (ISSD) program, etc.
· Ad hoc support: provide ad hoc support to seed program and senior management team as required on issues relating to core organizational development, prioritization of interventions, problem solving, planning
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
·
· Educational qualifications: MA/MSc degree in fields such as Project Management, Business Administration, Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Business Management, Development Economics or other closely related fields
· Professional qualifications: at least 8 years of work experience in areas related to agricultural input marketing, Small and Medium enterprise (SME) development, cooperative development, value-chain development, and other related disciplines. The candidate should have worked 4-5 years assuming managerial positions.
· Other qualifications:
· Understanding of Ethiopia’s agricultural system with a broad perspective on interactions between public, private and informal actors in the seed system
· Deep knowledge of agricultural input marketing and distribution systems across value chains of key crops such as maize, wheat, tef, etc.
· Experience in project management, program design, performance management, stakeholder management, contract management, and MLE systems
· Practical experience in developing and maintaining linkages between producers and markets
· Ability to thrive in a fast-moving, start-up environment, with an emphasis on high-performance, teamwork and accountability
· Excellent written and oral communication skills
· Strong set of personal values including integrity, honesty and desire to be of service
Fluency in Amharic and proficiency in English are essential. Knowledge of other Ethiopian languages desired.
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 at http://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 to Recruitment@ata.gov.et and include “Application for Project Team Leader DSM” in the subject line.
Women are highly encouraged to apply.
NB. Only short listed candidates will be contacted.
No comments:
Post a Comment