Project Team Leader – Tef International Market Access Project

ETHIOPIAN AGRICULTURAL TRANSFORMATION AGENCY

Position: Project Team Leader – Tef International Market Access Project

Term of Employment: Project – initially one year with possibility of extension

Duty Station(s): Addis Ababa

Required Number: One

Salary & Benefits: Competitive

Application Deadline: January 31, 2017

BACKGROUND:

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 Development and is Secretary to the Transformation Council chaired by the Prime Minister.

Theprogrammaticfocus of the Agency responds to a core set of needs identified by the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources Development and the Transformation Council. Within the Agency, issues are divided into four different pillars: Production and Productivitywhich includes Inputs and Crop Protection, Livestock, ResearchandExtension, MechanizationandRural Finance; Environmentally SustainableandInclusive Agricultural Growthincluding Sustainable Irrigation and Watershed Management, Sustainable Land Management, Gender and Nutrition, Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation, Targeted Livelihood Support, Biodiversity and (temporarily) Planning and MLE; AgribusinessandMarkets including Market Support Services, Commercial Farming, Agro-processing & Market Development, and Cooperatives Development; andEnhanced Implementation Capacity which includes ICT, Private Sector, and Organizational and Human Capacity.* *In addition, the **Agricultural Commercialization Clusters Initiative is another critical focus area for the Agency. 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 ameaningful 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 Tef International Market Access (TIMA) project features a component aimed to ensure Ethiopia benefits from the increasing international popularity of tef. In this area, the TIMA Team Leader will primarily be responsible for identifying the potential for tef in the international market and helping develop and streamline efficient export procedures and policies. S/he will work with the ATA Senior Management, Ministry of Agriculture and natural Resource, Ministry of Trade, the TIMA steering committee, commercial farmers, international buyers, and other stakeholders to develop and implement a model to permit limited export of tef products by commercial farmers without adversely affecting domestic supply, while also emphasizing and promoting local value addition.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Serve as the leader of the TIMA project team and assume overall responsibility and end-accountability for the implementation of the Tef Project
• Responsible for the overall direction and management of the project; mobilize needed financial, human or organizational resources for project execution
• Manage the overall performance of the project and act as the overall project manager developing the master implementation plan, setting milestones and targets; establish monitor and evaluation criteria
• Engage team and stakeholders to creatively solve problems and overcome obstacles to achieve desired results
• Establish a foothold in the growing tef market and widely promote an “Ethiopian tef” value proposition in the international market at B-to-B level and B-to-C level
• Identify gaps and recommend ways to ensure the quality of tef is as per the export standard set by the Ethiopian government and is sufficient to meet buyers’ quality demands
• Support commercial farmers, agro-processors and (government) stakeholders in executing and implementing
• Integrate the tef project with other ATA programs and projects to achieve synergies and outcomes that impact the broader agricultural system
• Draw and document lessons and experiences from the project and contribute to the development of an institutionalized knowledge base for the ATA
• Engage stakeholders across the Agricultural system (government, business, cooperatives, commercial farmers etc.) to foster effective linkages and promote local value addition for tef before export
• Regularly report to the Senior Director of Agribusiness and Markets and CEO on progress, challenges and constraints of the work
• Manage a team between 3 and 6 members
• Critically assess capacity gaps hindering the effective implementation of the Tef project and develop approaches for improving capabilities as required

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelors and/or Master’s degree in Business Administration, Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Development, Agribusiness, Finance, Commerce, Management, Marketing or other relevant field
• At least 10 years (Bachelor’s) or 8 years (Master’s) experience in either one or more of the following: business development/management/administration, program/project management or coordination, investment facilitation, agricultural commodities trade, agribusiness, marketing, corporate finance, stakeholder management
• Fluency in English and Amharic, written and spoken, is essential; knowledge of other local and/or foreign languages a plus

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Proven experience in directly managing large number of staff with different roles and responsibilities, including in management roles
• Demonstrated track record of success with program design, performance management, learning systems, and monitoring and evaluation
• Outstanding track record in a leadership and management capacity on a range of client and/or senior management engagements
• Practical experiences in piloting, implementing, scaling up ideas/solutions/projects
• Experience in prioritizing and sequencing both programmatic and operational activities
• Strong capabilities in problem solving, analytics, project and stakeholder management
• Strong experience of managing work programs, teams and their individuals, as well as liaising with senior decision-makers
• Highly facilitative and collaborative leadership style
• Experience in creating partnerships with wide-ranging stakeholders, including at the national and international levels with public and private sector partners
• Exceptional ability to communicate consistently, clearly and effectively with a range of stakeholders in a cross-cultural environment
• A proven ability to lead, inspire, coach and develop others, including people from different backgrounds and culture
• Ability to thrive in a fast-moving environment, with an emphasis on high-performance, teamwork, accountability and results
• 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 a plus
• Knowledge of the international marketing system
• Strong set of personal values including integrity, honesty and desire to be of service
• Excellent proficiency with Excel and PowerPoint tools

HOW TO APPLY:

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

We invite all candidates meeting the required qualifications to send (i) a cover letter, (ii) CV (maximum 5 pages), and (iii) a completed ATA Application Form, which can be downloaded athttp://www.ata.gov.et/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Application-Form2.pdf

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.**

Please email (i) cover letter, (ii) CV (maximum 5 pages) and (iii) the completed application form toRecruitment@ata.gov.et and include “Application for Project Team Lead, TIMA” in the subject line.

Women are highly encouraged to apply.

NB. Only short listed candidates will be contacted.

Application Deadline: January 31, 2017