ETHIOPIAN AGRICULTURAL TRANSFORMATION AGENCY

Position:                           Senior Project Officer I - Mechanization

Term of Employment:    One year with possible extension

Duty Station(s):               Amhara – Bahir Dar      

Required Number:         One

Salary & Benefits:           Competitive

Application Deadline:    April 16,2023

BACKGROUND:

The Agricultural Transformation Institute (ATI) has been established by the Government of Ethiopia (GoE) to identify and address systemic bottlenecks to Ethiopia’s agricultural development. The Institute does this through problem-solving, implementation support, and capacity building of stakeholders involved in implementation of interventions that address the systemic bottlenecks. 

ATI provides a unique 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 teams with the tools, training and mentorships necessary to achieve their career goals.

The programmatic focus of the Institute responds to a core set of needs identified by the Ministry of Agriculture and other sectors along commodity value chains. Across the programs, the ATI engages public, private, and non-governmental stakeholders to support strategic planning, manage and strengthen implementation capacity and test innovative models. Currently, ATI is tasked to coordinate the revised Agriculture and Rural Development policy agendas of the sector and such sectoral level delegation requires high level expertise in the policy areas and skillsets in coordination and networking with multiple stakeholders.

Our Culture

We have an exceptional team of highly competent employees with a 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 teamwork to achieve excellent results. 

At ATI, 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:

Under the direct supervision of ACC  and programs director , the SPO I  is responsible for the regional  mechanization services project. The senior regional Project Officer I will support in planning, implementation and follow up of the project activities in the region with the relevant technical contents. In collaboration with other technical team in the branch office of ATI, the SPO I will provide technical inputs in mapping out and strengthening the started effort of establishing a sustainable business model in the mechanization sector that reaches all segments of smallholder farmers to get access for full package of agricultural mechanization. Moreover, the SPOI will have significant role in facilitating the establishment of mechanization service centre in the identified Zones in the respective region and mobilize the stakeholders for this mission. Providing closer technical support to the mechanization service centre and the service providers in the region will be the priority focus of the SPO I in the region.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Participate in the planning process of the MSC project

• Closely support the establishment of mechanization service center and service providers for the effective operation of agricultural mechanization service provision in the region

•  Coordinate/facilitate and link service providers with the mechanization service centers and leasing and lending institutions in the region.

•  Identify gaps in each MSC, propose and organize capacity building actions. 

• Support operational planning and execution of the Mechanization Service Center , working with key internal and external partners in the region where the SPO I is located

•  Support the Project Leader in managing day to day Project activities, including leading execution of major work streams specific to the region where the project is operational.

•  Coordinate project activities with stakeholders across the agricultural sector in the region putting clear responsibilities for each stakeholder.

•  Facilitate training's to MSC staff and other stakeholders at Woreda and Zonal levels.

• Coordinate and organize regional level meetings, workshops and other events related to the project in the region.

• Supervise, support, and guide agricultural mechanization service Centres and service providers in the region.

• Actively participate in the process of identifying capacity gaps in partner institutions that hinder the effective implementation of the Project and support development of approaches for improving capabilities as required specific to the region.

• Contribute towards identification and documentation of lessons and experiences of the project in the region.

• Compile regular (weekly, monthly)  and special update reports related to the implementation status of the project in the region

•  Capture relevant data/information related to the mechanization services project and share it timely to the project team.

Job Requirements

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of master’s degree in, Agricultural Mechanization, Agricultural Engineering, Agro Mechanics or Agrotechnology related fields.

• At least 6 years of relevant work experience in agriculture, project management, enterprise development, and related responsibilities

• Experience related to agricultural mechanization service provision and other business model development programs is a plus.

•  Project management skills, with the ability to prioritize, execute, and drive forward projects independently.

• Understanding of 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.

• Ability in coordinating and managing multi-stakeholders and knowledge of the extension system.

• Familiar with private sector, particularly in business and cooperative development programs.

• Experience in the implementation of projects, ideally with multiple public and private stakeholders.

• Experience with program/project 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.

• Excellent computer skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint, software familiarity a plus.

How to Apply

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

We invite all candidates meeting the required qualifications to submit (i) a cover letter and (ii) a CV (maximum 5 pages) to CLICK HERE

It is mandatory to mention the position title under the subject line of your cover letter.

Please DO NOT submit scans of certificates with your application.

Women are highly encouraged to apply.

NB. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.