Senior Director, Agribusiness & Markets

Vacancy Announcement

ETHIOPIAN AGRICULTURAL TRANSFORMATION AGENCY

Position:                         Senior Director, Agribusiness & Markets             

Term of Employment:  Fixed Term

Duty Station(s):              Addis Ababa HQ

Required Number:        One

Salary & Benefits:          Competitive

Application Deadline:   November 15, 2015

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 a Transformation Council chaired by the Prime Minister and whose co-chair is the Minister of Agriculture. 

The programmatic focus of the Agency responds to a core set of needs identified by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Transformation Council. Within the Agency, issues are divided into three different groups:  Production and Productivity which includes Inputs and Crop Protection, Livestock, Research and Extension, Mechanization and Rural Finance; Agribusiness and Markets including Market Infrastructure & Services, Commercial Farming, Agro-processing & Market Development, and Cooperatives Development; and Environmentally Sustainable and Inclusive Agricultural Growth including Natural Resource Management, Sustainable Land Management, Gender Equality and Nutrition, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management, 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 employees with a proven track record of success in managing complex activities and achieving transformational results.  Our culture is one where talented individuals are committed to doing their best and work together 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, motivated colleagues and excellent career development and training.  We recognize our most valuable assets are our people and are committed to providing our employees with the tools and training necessary to achieve their career goals. 

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Senior Director of Agribusiness and Markets is a senior executive level management position within the ATA, serving on the senior management team of the Agency. His/her role will primarily involve managing and supporting Program Directors within the ATA’s Agribusiness and Markets programs which currently include Market Support Services, Agro-processing and Market Development, Cooperative Development and Commercial Farming programs.

The Senior Director of Agribusiness and Markets will also work closely with other Senior Directors at the ATA, in order to leverage and maximize on synergies across different program types. To this end s/he will support and guide implementation plans and strategies along priority program areas as related to Agribusiness and Markets. To this effect, he/she must possess and be able to demonstrate strong verbal and written communication skills and relationship building abilities.

This position will report directly to the ATA’s CEO and will be based in Addis Ababa. The ideal Senior Director would possess a passion for improving the lives of small-holder farmers, a deep familiarity with Ethiopia’s agriculture, Trade and Industry systems, and extensive knowledge of Ethiopian agriculture, Trade and Industry system and the stakeholders involved in the sectors. S/he would likewise possess the entrepreneurial ability to visualize transformation, mobilize stakeholders across systems and drive practical change on the ground.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Supervise and manage performance of the Program Directors of the various Agribusiness and Market programs within the ATA to ensure that high quality deliverables and outputs are created within each program, in line with the ATA’s overall goals

• Actively participate in diagnostic activities, solution design and development and implementation stages of policies, strategies and solutions developed by the Agribusiness and Markets programs

• Support, enable and facilitate close and collaborative relationships between Program Directors and key stakeholders/partners across problem solving and implementation support areas

• Critically assess capacity gaps that may hinder effective implementation of activities and develop solutions as required

• Coordinate and harmonize the design, implementation and monitoring and evaluation of programs and projects within the ATA’s Agribusiness and Markets programs

• Assist in building capacity of key government, private and informal actors in other relevant institutions continuum associated with the agribusiness and market development

• To support the organization in other operations or roles as required by the CEO

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Member of the Senior Management Team, which is responsible for organizational strategy within the ATA.

• Direct supervisor of Program Directors of ATA’s Agribusiness and Markets programs, spearheading solution development, implementation, M&E, reporting and documentation of programs and projects.

• Facilitator of the required financial, human and organizational resources for the successful implementation of programs and projects.

• Supporter to the CEO in the creation and delivery of strategies and programs to enhance the ATA, and where appropriate obtain external expertise and counsel

• Provide guidance to and manage output of the staff within the Agribusiness and Markets programs and contribute to performance reviews and planning for their continued professional development

• Master’s degree Agriculture, Agribusiness, Rural Development, Development Economics or other relevant subject

• At least 15 years of experience with a minimum of 10 years in a management role within government, an international organization or the private sector

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced corporate environment

• Deep understanding of Ethiopia’s agricultural, trade and Industry system with a good perspective on how public, private and informal actors interact within the system

• Practical experience in implementing solutions at a both the federal and regional level

• Experience in developing and building relationships between the public and private sector

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

• Strong team player with outstanding management skills

• Excellent communication skills

• Ability to work under pressure and in a constantly evolving and challenging environment

• Self-starter and self-motivated person

• Fluency in English is essential. Fluency in Amharic is strongly desired and knowledge of an additional Ethiopian language is a plus