The Senior Project officer (SPO) is responsible to popularize the project, build the capacity of partners and enable them to reach more SHFs with quality seed, support the establishment and functioning of institutions responsible for quality assurance and for the creation of enabling policy environment to seed actors.
The ISSSE project has several outputs related to policy formulation, validation, and endorsement process. One of the key areas of the SPO is to actively engage with relevant actors ranging from experts to policymakers and support the project lead in the policy formulation process.

The Officer is accountable to provide input on project design, technical support on project implementation, coordinating the annual project physical and financial performance evaluations to identify key strengths, lessons, and challenges and plans for the next year, and reporting to the project manager. The expert is accountable for the effective delivery of the following KPIs and reports to the project leader:

• Oversight of the Ethiopian seed system with emphasis on the EGS production and supply, improve access by SHF to quality-assured seed and provide improvement areas to enhance the operation of the project.

• Oversight establishment of an autonomous seed and related inputs regulatory institutions, facilitate institutional capacity building to undertake quality assurance, support in drafting, validation and endorsement of enabling policy documents to enhance the function of a healthy seed system.

• Oversight establishment of an autonomous seed and related inputs regulatory institutions, facilitate the impartial variety release and registration processes, support impartial field and laboratory certification of seed and ensure this input accessed by SHF.

• Actively engage with stakeholder and institutions in developing, validation and endorsement of policy documents.

• Annual project planning: support the analysis, validation, prioritization and planning of the National Agriculture Research (NARS) and the effectiveness of Public EGS.

• Support the enhancement of EGS production and marketing by NARI partners.

• Support and strengthen seed technology research in the NARIs strengthened.

• Assist to develop and maintain overall work plan for project and corresponding budget on an annual and quarterly basis; monitor project and update/adjust accordingly.

• Capacity development: conduct critical assessments to identify capacity gaps hindering effective transition and implementation of the project and provide capacity building training accordingly.

• Linkage and stakeholder management: – Participate on project related meetings, providing technical input to the project delivery and ensure updates on project progress, risks, and risk mitigation plans.

Job Requirements

• A minimum of master’s degree in fields such as plant science (breeding, agronomy, protection), Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Business Management

• At least 8 years’ experience on the Ethiopian seeds system EGS and certified as seed production marketing distribution

• Strong capabilities in problem solving, project and stakeholder management.

• Strong experience of project team management as well as liaising with senior decision-makers.

• Exceptional ability to communicate consistently, clearly, and effectively with a range of stakeholders in a cross-cultural environment.

How to Apply

Register using the following LINK

Note: It is mandatory to mention the position title under the subject line of your application/cover letter. Women are highly encouraged to apply.