Ethiopia: Director-Private Sector in Agriculture (PSA) - Ethiopia

Vacancy Announcement

ETHIOPIAN AGRICULTURAL TRANSFORMATION AGENCY

Position: Director-Private Sector in Agriculture (PSA)

Term of Employment: One year with possible extension

Duty Station(s): Addis Ababa

Required Number: One

Salary & Benefits: Competitive

Application Deadline: March 1, 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 highly competent and proven track record of success in managing complex activities and achieving transformational results. Our culture is one where talented, dedicated and adaptable individuals are committed to doing their best and exhibit great team work 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, committed, motivated colleagues and excellent career development and training. We recognize our most valuable assets are our staff and are committed to providing our employees with the tools, training and mentorships necessary to achieve their career goals.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Private sector partners are expected to play an increasing role in the Agricultural Transformation Agenda. This private sector participation will become even more critical in the years to come, as Ethiopian agriculture strives to move from subsistence based, low-input/low-output farming, to one that is more market-oriented and integrated into the global food system. To effectively engage private investors and corporations in the Ethiopian agriculture sector, the ATA has a newly established Private Sector in Agriculture Program area, whose main aim is to connect smallholder farmers with commercial, market-focused supply chains to increase incomes and improve livelihoods.

The Director of the PSA Program will primarily be responsible for identifying and implementing high priority Transformational Agenda Deliverables that will address systemic and structural challenges to converting agribusiness investment interests and opportunities into tangible, operationalized investments on the ground. The Program will take a highly consultative approach, working with key stakeholders in the government, private sector, and development sector. The approach will be to engage early and in a meaningful way with serious investors to understand their interests and concerns, work alongside these organizations to identify promising opportunities for investment, clarify the nature of these opportunities (for example, expected requirements, financial and social returns), and help to navigate the local agriculture sector environment.

This position will officially report to the Senior Director of Agribusiness & Markets and Implementation Capacity.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Serve as the leader of the Private Sector in Agriculture Program, assuming overall responsibility for the direction and management of the program; mobilize needed financial, human or organizational resources for program execution


• Working with key stakeholders across both private and public sectors, lead the identification of Transformation Agenda Deliverables, sub-deliverables and activities that will inform an effective Private Sector in Agriculture roadmap during GTP II


• Serve as a sector-wide advocate for the removal of barriers to agribusiness investment in agriculture


• Proactively identify local and international agribusiness investors and provide the necessary technical and operational support to help in converting their investment interests


• Hire new members of the Private Sector in Agriculture Program and provide high caliber support and direction to ensure alignment, high performance and delivery on priority objectives


• Provide high quality, results-focused investor and stakeholder management and build a genuinely collaborative engagement with key Federal, Regional, Private Sector (domestic & international), Non-Profit and Bilateral partners


• Prepare and manage the Program’s budget; obtain approval from senior level ATA management and monitor budget utilization against allocation


• Serve as a thought leader to help the creation and delivery of strategies and programs/projects to achieve ATA’s overall goal and mission


• Contribute to the development of an institutionalized knowledge base for the ATA


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

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree (PhD preferred) in Agribusiness, Business Administration, Agricultural Economics, Economics, Finance, Commerce, Management or other relevant fields


• At least 10 years of experience in investment facilitation and agribusiness, including experience in policy, strategy and corporate finance, of which at least 5 years in a leadership or managerial role


• Deep understanding of the operations of the private sector, as well as 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 partnerships at the national and international levels


• Deep understanding of investor perspectives and ability to ‘speak the language’ of commercial and private sector investors


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

  
  


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  Strong skills in project management, political acumen and extensive private sector networks

  
  


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  Highly facilitative and collaborative leadership style

  
  


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  Excellent adaptive problem-solver in challenging environment

  
  


• Excellent analytical, leadership, and data gathering skills


• Excellent oral and written communication skills


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


• Fluency in English and Amharic is essential


• Previous experience in a consulting firm is an advantage

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 at http://www.ata.gov.et/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Application-Form21.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 submits 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 for Director-Private Sector in Agriculture (PSA)” in the subject line.**

Women are highly encouraged to apply.

NB. Only short listed candidates will be contacted.

Application Deadline: March 1, 2016