Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Institute

Vacancy announcement

Position:                                    Principal Coordinator- Technical Support Unit (TSU) 

Term of Employment:              One year with a possibility of extension

Duty Station(s):                           Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Required Number:                    One

Application Deadline:              July 4/2024

BACKGROUND

The Agricultural Transformation Institute (ATI) was established by the Government of Ethiopia (GoE) to identify systemic bottlenecks, conduct studies, and provide recommendations, provide implementation support, manage projects, create linkages and coordination among activities and agricultural development programs. The Institute is a strategy and delivery-oriented government institute created to help accelerate the growth and transformation of the country’s agriculture sector. The ATI envisions that, to be the leading center of innovative solutions to catalyze and contribute to the transformation of Ethiopian Agriculture by 2030 where smallholder farmers are commercialized with greater incomes, inclusiveness, resilience, and sustainability.

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.

Ethiopian Food Systems and Nutrition Transformation (EFSN)

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a comprehensive plan for people, the planet, and prosperity, aim to strengthen universal peace and greater freedom. It acknowledges that eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions, including extreme poverty, is the most significant global challenge and an essential prerequisite for sustainable development. The United Nations Secretary-General has convened the UN Food Systems Summit (UNFSS), a crucial platform designed to assist member states in driving food systems transformation and accelerating global progress towards the SDGs. Ethiopia actively participates in the UNFSS and has developed its food system transformation. In this context, the Ethiopian Food Systems and Nutrition transformation is of utmost importance and offers a unique opportunity to contribute to these global efforts.

The Ethiopian Food Systems and Nutrition (EFSN) transformation pathway has 24 game-changing solutions and is structured around three pillars of governance: federal, Regional, and Partnerships. Each pillar, including the private sector, research institutions, universities, civil society organizations, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and the general public, plays a crucial role across the food systems chain. The Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee (IMSC) is a body consisting of 15 ministries. Effective coordination, a key aspect of this role, is essential to align the efforts of different individuals, groups, or departments toward a common goal. Ethiopia is fully committed to transforming its food system. 

Moreover, the Agricultural Transformation Institute (ATI), a key player in the Ethiopian Food Systems and Nutrition (EFSN) Transformation, has been chosen as the secretariat, overseeing the work of the Technical Support Unit (TSU). As part of the TSU, the incumbent will be at the forefront of this transformation, providing crucial technical support and contributing to its overall success. 

This position presents a distinctive chance for personal and professional advancement. It involves collaborating with a team of experts in a dynamic and demanding setting. We are seeking individuals who are eager to grow and contribute to our transformative work. By joining our team, the incumbent will contribute to the achievement of the national efforts to transform Ethiopian food systems and SDGs.

Position Summary:

The Technical Support Unit (TSU) Principal Coordinator will be a crucial member of the TSU and guide the work of the technical support unit, ensuring effective delivery, communication and collaboration. He/She will work closely with the Secretariat to align the technical support activities with the overall planning, coordination, and resource mobilization efforts for the EFS implementation. The principal coordinator will work closely with the TSU members in their role of coordinating the clusters to Undertake detailed diagnosis that leads to policy formulation or legal arrangements as necessary for GCs within each Cluster, provide periodic updates on the status of clusters/game changers and their roles to support regional and local level action. He/She will also coordinate the unit to support the Secretariat on the preparation of presentations, meeting minutes, and other materials for the Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee. He/she will identify key bottlenecks that may affect the implementation of the EFS, identify best practices, and provide technical and implementation support.

The Principal Coordinator will guide the Technical Support Unit strategically and technically, supporting the planning and coordination of efforts across EFS implementation. They will coordinate engagements between the Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee, Cluster Working Groups, and regional stakeholders. The Principal Coordinator will report to the Secretariat on the activities of the Technical Support Unit and support the co-chairs (the Minister of Agriculture and Health) for strategic direction.

The successful applicant is expected to be driven and dynamic, with a problem-solving mindset and excellent communication skills. This role presents a unique opportunity to engage with key players in the food and nutrition ecosystem, both locally and globally.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Strategically and technically guide the TSU, supporting the planning and coordination of efforts across EFS implementation and coordination of the cluster working groups. 

• Work closely with the Secretariat to align the technical support activities with the overall planning, coordination, and resource mobilization efforts for the EFS implementation.

• Coordinate the TSU to Support the secretariate in the coordination of engagements between the Inter-Ministerial committee and working groups, Facilitation of the preparation of decision-support tools including technical synthesis, presentations and meeting minutes, support in preparing agenda for the inter-ministerial steering committee meetings 

• Guide the cluster coordinators to undertake detailed diagnosis that leads to policy formulation or legal arrangements as necessary for the game changers (GCs) within each cluster,

• Support and guide the TSU team to engage in high-visibility activities with stakeholders, the public, and the media; disseminate key food systems-related lessons;

• Identify and engage food systems stakeholders across a range of sectors in agriculture, nutrition, health, climate, economics, and education, including donors, national and international NGOs and associations, and civil society organizations.

• Contribute to and provide expert views on the food systems, background papers, talking points, and other correspondence for the secretariat and the co-chairs as requested.

• Perform other duties as assigned by the EFSN secretariat and co-chairs to support the overall success of the EFSN transformation.

• Represent the EFSN in public events, task forces, working groups, etc., on food systems, food security, and social sector activities.

Job Requirements

Required Qualification, Competencies and Experience

• A minimum of 12 years of professional experience for an MSc or 6 years of experience for a PhD in development, international development, or agriculture, with a nutritional focus.

• Demonstrated expertise in project management, monitoring and evaluation, and multi-stakeholder coordination.

• Demonstrated national and/or international experience in multi-sectoral coordination, inter-disciplinary and multi-cultural leadership, and communication, as well as deeper knowledge of the Ethiopian economy;

• A strong research and operational leadership experience;

• Adequate experience in translating complex technical material and research findings into tools that support evidence-based decision-making;

• Strong verbal and written communication skills, at least in Amharic and English, to interact with various individuals, including elected and government officials, development partners, the public, and key stakeholders.

How to Apply

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

We invite all candidates meeting the required qualifications to send (i) a cover letter and (ii) a CV (maximum of three pages) online using THIS LINK

Also, please DO NOT submit certificates with scans on your application form. 

Women are highly encouraged to apply.

NB. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted