Ethiopia Agricultural Transformation Agency Jobs Vacancies 2018 for Senior Project Officer I, Private Sector Development in Agriculture

Vacancy Announcement

ETHIOPIAN AGRICULTURAL TRANSFORMATION AGENCY

Position:                          Senior Project Officer I, Private Sector Development in                                                          Agriculture

Term of Employment:   One year with possible extension

Duty Station(s):              Addis Ababa

Required Number:         1

Salary & Benefits:          Competitive

Application Deadline:   August 13,2018

BACKGROUND

The Agricultural Transformation Agency (ATA) was established by federal regulation in 2010 to catalyze the transformation of Ethiopia’s agriculture sector. It does so by helping to identify and address systemic bottlenecks to agricultural development and proposing appropriate interventions.

The ATA is governed by the Transformation Council, chaired by the Prime Minister, and works closely with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Resources as well as a host of other governmental and non-governmental actors. Its supports the execution of a prioritized set of interventions known collectively as the Transformation Agenda, and implements the Agricultural Commercialization Clusters Initiative targeting high-potential geographies and crops.

Its mission is to catalyze the transformation of the agriculture sector by addressing systemic constraints and developing sustainable value chains. The ATA envisions that, by 2025, smallholder farmers are commercialized with greater incomes, inclusiveness, resilience and sustainability, contributing to Ethiopia’s achievement of middle-income country status.

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:

Private sector partners are expected to play an increasing role in the Agricultural Transformation Agenda. This private sector participation will become even more critical in the years to come, as Ethiopian agriculture strives to move from subsistence based, low-input/low-output farming, to one that is more market-oriented and integrated into the global food system. To effectively engage private investors and corporations in the Ethiopian agriculture sector, the ATA has a newly established Private Sector Development in Agriculture Program area (PSA), whose main aim is to connect smallholder farmers with commercial, market-focused supply chains to increase incomes and improve livelihoods.

The Senior Project Officer of PSA will be primarily responsible for identifying and addressing systemic and structural challenges to increased private sector engagement and investment flows to the agriculture sector. The Program will take a highly consultative approach, working with key stakeholders in the government, private, and development sectors. The approach will be to engage early and in a meaningful way with serious investors to understand their interests and concerns and work alongside key government partners to overcome key systemic bottlenecks preventing investment in Ethiopia.

This position will officially report to the Director of Private Sector Development in Agriculture.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Manage the conversion of key investment opportunities by supporting the Director in the direction and management of the program, including:

o   Conducting targeted research and analyses around promising agribusiness                   investment opportunities and provide technical assistance to serious                               investors on their market orientation and business planning

o   Proactively identifying and prospecting local and international agribusiness                  investors and link them with greenfield investment opportunities or                                domestic partners for brownfield investments, where relevant

o   Establishing an investment monitoring/tracking system for converted                              investments

o   Actively attracting quality investors and promoting Ethiopia as investment                      destination for agriculture related investment opportunities

o   Preparing and utilizing investment promotion tactics and tool kits that                            inform and convince quality investors in agribusiness.

o   Disseminating key information on investment opportunities and proactively                  engage in promotional events and targeting of desirable agricultural                                investors

o   Navigating and supporting investors in their investment journey and ensure                  they comply with investment requirements and adhere to Responsible                            Business Conducts

• Identify and address key systemic and structural challenges to increased private sector engagement and investment flows to Ethiopia’s agricultural sector through:

o   Identifying, designing and following-up interventions that mitigate the key                      systemic and structural challenges to increased private agribusiness                                investment

o   Advocating within government to seek necessary approvals or urging the                       removal of policy obstacles for responsible agricultural investments and                         support the implementation of priority interventions

o   Identifying specific financing gaps and assisting in the development of                            innovative financing tools and structures to facilitate increased and more                      targeted investment in Ethiopian agriculture

o   Building capacity of investment facilitation agencies/desks using                                      international and regional initiatives aimed at building investment                                    promotion expertise

o   Supporting the Director in providing regular reports to the Senior                                     Director  of Agribusiness and Markets, and to the CEO on progress,                                 challenges and constraints of the program activities

• Develop and maintain collaboration mechanisms with government and non-government actors at international, Federal and Regional levels by:

o   promoting alignment and facilitating investment processes for increased                        private-sector participation in agribusiness

o   establishing and building ongoing relationships and tracking interested                          investors via the Investor Relationship Management (IRM) tool

o   working with agribusiness investors and partners to problem-solve in                            real-time to overcome key challenges in operationalizing investments

o   identifying issues and risks related to investment conversion in a timely                           manner and suggesting appropriate mitigation measures/ recourse

o   exchanging and analyzing relevant agribusiness information that helps to enhance investment flows and/or address issues timely.

• Bachelors and/or Masters degree in Business Administration, Agribusiness, Finance, Commerce, Management, Marketing, Agricultural Economics, Development, or other relevant field

• At least 8 years (Bachelors) and 6 years (for Masters) of combined experience in either one or more of the following: investment facilitation and/or agribusiness; corporate finance; business development/management/administration, program/project coordination; stakeholder management; strategy

• Experience in leadership and/or managerial roles a plus

• Fluency in English is essential; Fluency in Amharic is highly preferred

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Deep understanding of Ethiopia’s agricultural sector, with a broad perspective on how the entire system operates and how public, private and informal partners operate within the system

• Deep understanding of the private sector and investor perspectives, as well as ability to ‘speak the language’ of commercial and private sector investors

• Strong skills in project management, political acumen, and extensive private sector networks

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

• Highly facilitative and collaborative style

• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, leadership, and data gathering skills

• Excellent oral and written communication skills

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

• Previous experience in a private-sector consulting firm is an advantage