The Agricultural Transformation Agency (ATA) has been established by the Government of Ethiopia (GoE) to identify and address systemic bottlenecks to Ethiopia’s agricultural development. The Agency does this through problem-solving, implementation support, and capacity building of stakeholders involved in implementation of interventions that address the systemic bottlenecks. The Agency reports to the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources and serves as secretary to the Transformation Council, which is chaired by the Prime Minister.
The programmatic focus of the Agency responds to a core set of needs identified by the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the Transformation Council. Within the Agency, issues are divided into four different groups: Crop and Natural Resources which includes Inputs and Crop Protection, Research and Extension, Mechanization, Sustainable Irrigation & Watershed Management, and Sustainable Land Management; Livestock which includes Genetic Improvement, Feed and Feeding, Livestock Health, and Livestock Markets; Agribusiness and Markets which includes Market Development, Rural Finance, Private Sector in Agriculture, and ICT for Agricultural Services; and Cross Cutting Initiatives which include Inclusive Growth, Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation, and Planning and MLE. Across the programs, the ATA engages public, private and non-governmental stakeholders to support strategic planning, manage and strengthen implementation capacity and test innovative models.
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 team work to achieve excellent results.
At ATA, 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:
The Senior International Consultant will work closely with the Senior Director of the Agribusiness & Markets Vertical and provide strategic and thought partnership support in the management of Program/Project Teams under the Vertical, with a particular focus on the Market Development and Private Sector in Agriculture Teams and their specific support to the Agricultural Commercialization Clusters (ACCs). The Senior International Consultant will work very closely with Directors/Project Leads/Managers who are leading and managing activities within these two teams, providing guidance and support on program, project and team management, content development and quality control of outputs, as well as embedding a culture of rigorous analytical and problem solving skills and stakeholder relationship management.
The Senior International Consultant may also, on demand basis, lead discreet high-priority activities and projects, directly managing team members and engaging with senior level stakeholders across government partners. As such, at least five years of experience leading and delivering high-impact, challenging projects for senior clients across government, private-sector, and development organizations is an important prerequisite for this role. Experience in agribusiness or industrial development initiatives in particular is desirable, as is a passion for transforming agriculture and improving the lives of smallholder farmers.
The terms of employment for this position will be governed by and managed in accordance with the internal framework of the World Food Programme, which provides employment contracting and related services to ATA.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
The programmatic focus of the Agency responds to a core set of needs identified by the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the Transformation Council. Within the Agency, issues are divided into four different groups: Crop and Natural Resources which includes Inputs and Crop Protection, Research and Extension, Mechanization, Sustainable Irrigation & Watershed Management, and Sustainable Land Management; Livestock which includes Genetic Improvement, Feed and Feeding, Livestock Health, and Livestock Markets; Agribusiness and Markets which includes Market Development, Rural Finance, Private Sector in Agriculture, and ICT for Agricultural Services; and Cross Cutting Initiatives which include Inclusive Growth, Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation, and Planning and MLE. Across the programs, the ATA engages public, private and non-governmental stakeholders to support strategic planning, manage and strengthen implementation capacity and test innovative models.
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 team work to achieve excellent results.
At ATA, 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:
The Senior International Consultant will work closely with the Senior Director of the Agribusiness & Markets Vertical and provide strategic and thought partnership support in the management of Program/Project Teams under the Vertical, with a particular focus on the Market Development and Private Sector in Agriculture Teams and their specific support to the Agricultural Commercialization Clusters (ACCs). The Senior International Consultant will work very closely with Directors/Project Leads/Managers who are leading and managing activities within these two teams, providing guidance and support on program, project and team management, content development and quality control of outputs, as well as embedding a culture of rigorous analytical and problem solving skills and stakeholder relationship management.
The Senior International Consultant may also, on demand basis, lead discreet high-priority activities and projects, directly managing team members and engaging with senior level stakeholders across government partners. As such, at least five years of experience leading and delivering high-impact, challenging projects for senior clients across government, private-sector, and development organizations is an important prerequisite for this role. Experience in agribusiness or industrial development initiatives in particular is desirable, as is a passion for transforming agriculture and improving the lives of smallholder farmers.
The terms of employment for this position will be governed by and managed in accordance with the internal framework of the World Food Programme, which provides employment contracting and related services to ATA.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
- Provide problem solving and strategic thought partnership support to the Senior Director of the Agribusiness & Markets Vertical: Assist and work closely with the Senior Director to articulate the vision, outputs, and intended impacts of the Market Development and Private Sector in Agriculture teams, with a particular focus on their support to the Agriculture Commercialization Clusters. As such, support should cover issues such as:
- Strategic planning for program/project teams, for example, identifying, prioritizing and developing the strategic needs of each team, such as deliverables and output settings, stakeholder engagement and execution of key activities
- Organizational planning, such as assisting the Senior Director to manage the day-to-day program/project needs by ensuring the analytical rigor, practicality and quality of outputs, by organizing necessary communications, meetings, problem solving and review sessions, workshops and/or supporting documentations
- Support the Market Development and Private Sector in Agriculture Teams achieve their mandate, in particular their support to the Agricultural Commercialization Clusters: Support program teams in the following ways:
- Provide high level guidance to Directors/Project Leads/Manages on key issues and decisions such as (1) overseeing the creation of high quality, robust team outputs that identify problems/bottlenecks, structure solutions and make practical recommendations for robust interventions in agricultural marketing and agriculture investment, (2) setting focused, high impact priority initiatives that facilitate the marketing of commodities produced by smallholder farmers to national and international buyers, (3) strengthening the integration of activities and outputs of program/project teams with other ATA programs/projects and non-ATA stakeholders that are actively engaged in activities that involve markets including key industry partners; (4) maintaining strong stakeholder relationships through close engagement and joint planning, including public, private and non-governmental partners; and (5) translating strategic team deliverables into clear, usable, high level work plans that ensure teams maintain execution from month-to-month
- driving immediate creation of market linkages through facilitating connections between large-scale buyers and producers (e.g. cooperatives, processors), and to raise the profile of producers through promotion with large buyer networks
- Reviewing key plans and work streams through provision of high level reviews of key team outputs, such as deliverables, strategy documents and internal updates
- Promoting strong stakeholder relationships through close engagement and joint planning, for example through facilitating stakeholder engagement with public, private and non-governmental players on relevant program areas.
- Lead discrete activities/projects: (i) Conceptualize, operationalize and/or scale new initiatives/pilots that enhance market linkages and connect smallholder farmers to local and global supply chains; and (ii) provide oversight to activities and projects identified as part of the Market Development and Private Sector in Agriculture Program teams in support of the ACCs (e.g. contract farming arrangements, export promotion), from concept stage to execution. Manage, train and up-skill relevant team members to lead work-streams.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Minimum Master’s degree with focus on economics, business administration, development, agriculture, agribusiness, marketing or other relevant subject areas
- At least 5 years of combined experience in a top-tier private, public or non-governmental organization in business/economic development, and/or strategy/management consultancy, and/or policy/ partnership development focused roles, with at least 3 years completed at Manager level. Experience in the agricultural sector is highly desirable
- Strong capabilities in problem solving, project and stakeholder management
- Outstanding track record in a leadership and management capacity on a range of client and/or senior management engagements
- Strong experience in managing work programs, teams and individuals, 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 (fluency in English is essential)
- A proven ability to lead, inspire, coach and develop others, including people from different backgrounds and culture
- Excellent proficiency with Excel and PowerPoint tools
- Strong set of personal values including integrity, honesty and desire to be of service
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
We invite all candidates meeting the required qualifications to send (i) a cover letter and (ii) a CV (maximum 5 pages) to[email protected], and submit a completed ATA Application Form at **http://apply.ata.gov.et/
Please note that CVs, cover letter and other application materials WILL NOT be considered unless accompanied by a fully completed ATA Application Form. Also, please DO NOT submit scans of certificates with your application form.
Women are highly encouraged to apply.
Only short listed candidates will be contacted.
Closing date: 12 Dec 2017