ETHIOPIAN AGRICULTURAL TRANSFORMATION INSTITUTE

Job Description

Position:                             Regional Coordinator   

Term of Employment:      One year with a possibility of extension

Duty Station(s):                Addis Ababa

Required Number:           One

Application Deadline:     July 5, 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 canter of innovative solutions to catalyse 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.

Background: 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 is an active participant in the UNFSS and has developed its own food system transformation. In this context, the role we are offering 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, you 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 Regional Coordinator is a key member of the Technical Support Unit (TSU) and will be responsible for providing technical assistance and coordination support to key actors in the EFSN at the regional level. The Regional Coordinator will be responsible for overseeing the implementation of the EFSN's 24 Game-changing solutions across the regions, ensuring alignment with the overall national transformation strategy. 

The Regional Coordinator will work closely with the TSU members, the EFSN Secretariat, and regional/local stakeholders to facilitate effective planning, coordination, and delivery of the EFSN interventions. They will be responsible for guiding the technical work of the regional EFSN Working Groups, providing regular updates on progress, challenges, and support needed to the TSU and Secretariat.

The Regional Coordinator is expected to strengthen the program's focus and approach by linking the EFSN with the specific regional priorities and contexts. They are expected to work with key regional stakeholders to ensure that the EFSN is accepted and increasingly institutionalized within the regional food systems ecosystem.

The successful applicant is expected to be driven and dynamic, have a problem-solving mindset, and have excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills. This role presents a unique opportunity to engage with key players in the regional food and nutrition ecosystem, working closely with both national and local-level stakeholders.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Coordinate the activities and efforts of the regional EFSN Working Groups, including facilitating meetings, documenting discussions, and tracking progress.

• Work with regional EFSN Working Group members to undertake detailed diagnostics that inform regional-level policy formulation and implementation strategies for the game-changing solutions.

• Provide regular updates on the status of EFSN implementation in the assigned region(s) to the TSU and EFSN Secretariat.

• Support local-level action by the regional EFSN Working Groups, ensuring alignment with the overall EFSN transformation strategy and regional priorities.

• Identify key regional-level bottlenecks or challenges that may affect the implementation of the game-changing solutions and work with the TSU members to develop strategies to address them.

• Document and disseminate best practices and lessons learned from the regional EFSN Working Groups to inform broader food systems transformation efforts.

• Collaborate with other TSU members to support the Secretariat in preparing presentations, meeting minutes, and other materials for the Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee and regional stakeholder engagements.

• Engage with a wide range of regional food systems stakeholders, including government agencies, private sector, civil society, and development partners, to facilitate coordination and alignment.

• Represent the regional EFSN Working Groups in high-visibility activities, task forces, and working groups related to food systems transformation.

• Perform other duties as assigned by the TSU Principal Coordinator and EFSN Secretariat to support the overall success of the EFSN transformation.

Job Requirements

Required Qualification, Competencies and Experience

• MSC in Rural development, public policy, development studies, nutrition, agriculture, or other relevant fields;

• A minimum of 8 years of experience in designing and implementing food security, agricultural, or rural development programs at the Federal level with close working experience at regional level;

• Demonstrated expertise in coordinating multi-stakeholder initiatives and working closely with government agencies, private sector, civil society organizations, and development partners to drive systemic change

• Strong understanding of the regional socio-economic and food systems context, including the unique challenges and opportunities faced by regions.

• Proven track record of fostering collaboration, alignment, and collective action among diverse regional stakeholders to achieve shared goals

• 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

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