ETHIOPIAN AGRICULTURAL TRANSFORMATION INSTITUTE (ATI)

Job Announcement

• Position:                                      Communication and Protocol Advisor 

• Term of Employment:                One Year with possibility of extension 

• Duty Station(s):                          Addis Ababa, Secondment to MoA 

• Required Number:                     One

• Application Deadline:                September 21,2024

BACKGROUND

The Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Institute (ATI), formerly known as the Agricultural Transformation Agency (ATA), is a strategy and delivery-oriented government institute created to help accelerate the growth and transformation of Ethiopia’s agriculture sector, which is a key contributor to the country’s GDP, exports, and workforce. The ATI’s work is centred on improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers (SHFs) across the country for improved income, inclusiveness, resilience, and sustainability. 

The ATI works to transform the agriculture sector in Ethiopia by conducting policy and analytical studies, providing technical implementation support and capacity building, coordinating. 

platforms to better integrate partners and projects, and designing and directly leading several innovative/pilot interventions. 

The Institute joins forces with various stakeholders, including policymakers, researchers, farmers, and development partners, to support the implementation of agricultural development programs and initiatives. In addition, the ATI collaborates with national and international partners to facilitate knowledge exchange and learning opportunities. The Institute plays a crucial role in generating and disseminating information to support evidence-based decision-making in Ethiopia’s agricultural sector.

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 team work 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 mentorship necessary to achieve their career goals. 

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Communication and Protocol Advisor is responsible for promoting MoA’s Vision, Mission, policy, strategies and best practice of performance etc. to sustainably boost the performance of the Ministry to achieve the food and nutrition security by creating visibility to both national and international target audiences, stakeholders, and broader public. The Advisor will be responsible for advising and leading the internal and external communication efforts to reach all segments of MoA’s audiences with the use of tailored communication materials and platforms using appropriate media out lets. 

The Advisor, reporting to the Minister/Minister’s office head, is responsible for the development and successful implementation of Ministry’s Communications and Protocol Strategy and advising and coaching of the Communications and Protocol team communication officers in different department and projects of the Ministry. The Advisor will primarily work in close collaboration with H.E Minister and Head of the Minister’s Office, Senior Management and lead for shaping public awareness, understanding, and opinion of MoA by showcasing the Ministry’s implementation progress, achievements, and stories to external audiences. In addition, will advise and coach the internal communication efforts to encourage interactions among individuals and teams by keeping staff informed of progress, updates, and developments in policy, Strategy and program implementations, organization, and sector-wide issues.

The senior Advisor's roles also include leading MoA’s brand management by ensuring that all physical projects as well as internal- and external facing materials are appropriately and correctly branded. build and facilitate relationships to successfully collaborate with Senior Management and other staff teams for implementing the Communications Strategy, they should possess a deep understanding of the international and Ethiopian Communication landscape and communication expertise in both English and Amharic languages. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBLITIES

Responsibilities for the Advisor include, but not limited to the following:

• Develop and coach the implementation of the ministry’s Communications and protocol Strategy in order to manage communication efforts and build the images of the Ministry among its stakeholders 

• Review and track the communication landscapes, design messages, and use appropriate channels of communication 

• Maintain internal and external communication platforms in order to ensure audiences are kept up to date on implementation progress, milestones and achievements. Activities include: 

  • Manage a contacts data base of recipients of the ministry newsletters, annual report, links to news and feature updates on the website, invitations, and other information 

  • Coaching the management of the MoA’s website and other social medias by working with regular and project communication teams to develop and update content in order to properly inform the target audience so that motivate to perform and deliver more.

  •  Support and coach the Production and circulation of quarterly newsletters among its key newsletter recipients and subscribers

  • Produce up-to-date performance briefs in English, Amharic and other local languages 

  • Coordinates and conducts stakeholders’ perceptions survey periodically and analyses and report to the Minister/Head of office with solutions and recommendations. 

• Produce visual evidence of program implementation through photo repositories and video documentaries, engaging professionals as required. Activities include:

  • Consolidate annual photo repository and video documentary needs across the organization, by engaging teams and reviewing annual plans       and performance

  • Lead the development of photo repositories or documentaries working with outscoring partners, project teams and other relevant stakeholders

• Maintain media relations, send media alerts and provide press materials during key project milestones in order to reach wider public. Activities include:

  • Maintain an up-to-date media data base of key media contacts and champions

  • Send media alerts ahead of any major events followed by press release

  • Actively seek and organize media interviews with members of Management with key influential media on important updates and milestones. 

  • Creating media dialogues and panel discussion on key issues, now technologies and ideas, etc., by consulting with the ministry’s Leadership.

• Brand past and present projects that offer the platform for branding in order to build the ministry’s visual identity. Activities include:

  • Consolidate branding or rebranding needs and opportunities across programs and projects and periodically conduct branding

  • Train staff on existing and new brand manuals and style guidelines and support staff to comply with updated requirements to comply with state of the art

  • Promote the Ministry’s brandings to all stake holders using different plat forms 

• Lead the organization of the ministry’s events such as high-level program launches, Forums and exhibitions, anniversaries as well as All-Staff and Leadership Offsites. Activities include:

  • Develop full event plans and organize events oversee activities

  • Evaluate the performance of the events pre, during and post events and organize the lesson learnt and best practices for further public communication 

  • Mobilizing resource and knowledge etc.., from stake holders for the events 

• Train new staff on the communication practices and guidelines and provide tailored media skill training to experts and leadership in order to improve staff’s communication practices specifically and organizational capacity at large. 

• Build and maintain a positive and favorable image of the Ministry, foster collaborative engagement with Regions, Affiliated Institutions, Media, other stakeholders, and the public at large

• Other

  • He/she is also responsible for any additional roles as assigned by the minister or his/her delegate, in line with MoA’s communication strategy

Job Requirements

Required qualifications, competencies, skills, training, and experience

• A minimum of master’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, international relations, Agricultural economics. Agricultural Extension, media relations or relevant field. 

• Minimum 12 years of experience with directly relevant professional experience, preferably in a generalist corporate communications role with a national or international focus, 

• Experience in leading the communication efforts of a large organization

• Extensive experience in written communication or content development, in both Amharic and English languages

• Ability to organize internal and external events, press releases or other large communication events

• Understanding of various communication platforms (website, social media platforms, etc.)

• Strong management skills for optimal allocation of resources for making progress against Communication goals and KPIs

• Collaborative attitude for working with Senior Management, other teams

• Insightful thinking for proactive, evidence-based decision-making.

• Self-motivated team-player with proven ability to contribute to organizational success at both strategic and operational levels

• First-rate oral and written communication skills, and ability to shift smoothly between storytelling and structured technical communication to fit the audience

• Sophisticated stakeholder engagement skills with a successful track record dealing with government bodies, development agencies, media, and the general public

• Passion and talent for training, coaching, and capacity building 

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

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

• Experience in the agriculture and/or development sectors preferred.

• Fluency in written and spoken English and Amharic.

How to Apply

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

We invite all candidates meeting the required qualifications to send (i) a cover letter and (ii) a CV (maximum 3 pages) using THIS LINK

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

We are highly encouraged to apply.

NB. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.