Director Livestock Value Chain Agricultural Transformation Agency (ATA)

The Agricultural Transformation Agency (ATA) has been established by the Government of Ethiopia to identify and address systemic bottlenecks to Ethiopia’s agricultural development. The Agency does this through problem-solving to identify the bottlenecks to particular problems, supporting the implementation of interventions to address the bottlenecks identified and coordinating stakeholders who are involved in the implementation. The Agency reports to a Transformation Council chaired by the Prime Minister and whose co-chair is the Minister of Agriculture. ATA is seeking qualified candidates for Director Livestock Value Chain.

Scope

The Director of the Livestock value chain program will primarily be responsible for mapping out and addressing the key bottlenecks in the value chain of key livestock components – from varietal research and development to value addition for end domestic and international markets. The Director will work with key stakeholders along the value chain including cooperatives, farmer unions, traders, wholesalers and others and develop linkages to farmers to improve the ease of market transactions, to decrease market dysfunctions, and to increase small holder farmer income.

The ideal Director would possess a passion for improving the lives of smallholder pastoralist, a deep familiarity with Ethiopia’s agricultural system (specifically live cattle and beef production) and extensive knowledge of its marketing. S/he would likewise possess the entrepreneurial ability to visualize transformation, to mobilize stakeholders across system, to be innovative and to drive practical change on the ground.

The Director, Livestock Value Chain will report directly the Senior Director Implementation and Priority Value chain and be based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Key functions:

• Serving as the leader of the Livestock Value chain team, responsible for the overall direction and management the Program.

· Engaging stakeholders across the livestock value chain (government, business, non-governmental organizations, universities, cooperatives, farmers unions, farmers, donors, etc.) to identify and prioritize actions to improve all components of key areas in livestock value chain.

• Working with stakeholders to design and then implement high-priority interventions to improve the livestock value chains.
• Supporting ATA and other stakeholders to mobilize needed financial, human or organizational resources for project execution.
• Managing the performance of the interventions designed to strengthen the value chain of key selected areas; setting key performance indicators, milestones and targets; engaging stakeholders to creatively solve problems and overcome obstacles in order to achieve desired results.
• Critically assessing capacity gaps hindering the effective implementation of interventions designed and developing approaches for improving capabilities as required
• Integrating the livestock value chain program interventions with other ATA programs to achieve synergies and outcomes that impact the broader agricultural system.

Qualifications Required:

· Master’s degree/PhD in Agriculture, Animal Science or Masters in Business Management.

· 10-15 years in a senior program leadership role in government, international agency or private sector

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

· Understanding and experience in developing livestock value chains, particularly in Ethiopia, and obstacles that hinder the strengthening of key components including the adoption of new technologies by smallholder farmers.

· Practical experience in implementing solutions at the local level.

· Experience in prioritizing and sequencing both programmatic and operation activities.

· Experience in creating public-private partnerships in the livestock value chain.

· Demonstrable track record of success with program design, performance management, learning systems and monitoring & evaluation

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

We invite all candidates meeting the required qualifications to send your applications including a detailed CV either through www.ethiojobs.net or e-mail: Recruitment@ata.gov.et by clearly indicating the position title.

Application Deadline: Friday May 4, 2012. NB. Only short listed candidates