Nutrition Sensitive Agriculture Program Manger (NSA-PM)

Ministry of Health would like to invite competent applicants for the following positions. 

Background

Multi sectoral Approach Stunting Reduction Project (MASReP) is a nutrition project to be implemented in Ethiopia, specifically, in the area known as Seqota Declaration. The Seqota Declaration area covers 40 woredas of Amhara and Tigray regions found along the Tekeze river basin. MASReP is a joint AfDB and Ethiopian government project which supports the government’s high-level commitment to end stunting in children under two years by 2030. It is a multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholder project that focuses on Health, Agriculture, Water and Irrigation, Education, Social Protection, Women and Child protection.  

Description of the main components of the project

The project has four components;

Component 1: Climate smart infrastructure development for effective service delivery

Component 2: Livelihood support and promotion of nutritious foods.

Component 3: Strengthening institutional system and capacity building.

Component 4: -Coordination and Project Management

General Purpose of the Position

The overarching objective of this job position is to be responsible for day-to-day technical assistance and programme management support to the Nutrition Sensitive Agriculture component of MASReP.

The successful candidate will have sound understanding of global development priorities related to the agriculture – nutrition nexus, food security, and climate resilient sustainable agriculture, as well as demonstrated experience in the management of large scale agriculture projects and experience working with international NGOs, local civil society organizations, government, bilateral and multilateral donors.

Overall, the NSA-PM is envisioned to be a highly motivated individual with tangible project management experience and a results-oriented mindset. S/he is envisioned to have working knowledge of Ethiopia’s public sector and tangible experience in the agriculture sector is an absolute requirement.

Scope of the Assignment

The NSA-PM will be a staff member of the ‘Seqota’ Declaration PDU – federal level which is located within the Ministry of Health and will report directly to the Senior Programme Manager of the PDU S/he will work collaboratively with other members of the PDU to ensure the coordinated implementation of all components of the ASReP Plan. In addition, she/he will execute other duties assigned by the Senior Programme Manager of the PDU.

Currently, the Ministry of Health (MoH), through the SD Programme Delivery Unit (PDU), is managing the multi-sectoral resources allocated by the federal government and other development partners for the operationalization of the SD program. Federal level sector ministries, including Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Energy, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Women, children &youth affairs , and Ministry of Labor and social affairs channel the fund received from the MoH to their respective regional bureaus based on the agreed SD program operational plans. The Federal PDU, which is hosted in Ministry of Health, with the delegation provided from the Deputy Prime Minister Office, is responsible for leading and coordinating the development of costed annual work plan for federal sectors and regions and tracking results. The Federal PDU also facilitates the release of fund from MoH to Regional Health Bureaus.

The project will be implemented in the Seqota Declaration Regions of Amhara and Tigray with specific emphasis on selected Woredas.

Main Job Duties and Responsibilities

The NSA program manager  at the Federal Program Delivery Unit (FPDU) will be required to perform the following activities:

• The NSA-PM will receive project application,  study and design documents and conduct field and desk appraisal.
• Review agricultural plans and project proposal submitted by federal and regional agricultural offices;
• Ensure that  agricultural projects have  Implementation Plan with a clear action plan and that this action plan is reviewed periodically based on the feedback from the on-going monitoring of the project;
• Ensures the conformity of all project proposal submission, and project implementation processes to the Bank standards and working procedures.
• Participate in supervision missions with a view to assisting the Project and the Bank to update the plan and address all outstanding issues.
• Engage in participatory  monitoring and evaluation of projects
• Work closely with Ministry of Agriculture, Federal Program Delivery Units and implementing agencies to ensure their collaborative engagement;
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with stakeholders in the agriculture and nutrition sector, including donors, implementing partners, and other public or private organizations that fund, manage, or implement the agricultural projects.
• Ensure that the project has a clear monitoring framework and progress is effectively monitored through the regular collection and analysis of key indicators and ensure that processes and results are properly documented;
• Manage the successful implementation of technical and administrative activities of the project
• Oversee the quality of all NSA project activities providing direction, feedback and support to ensure success;
• Provide agriculture sector-related technical support to the implementing sectors and organizations.
• Develop timely project performance reports and field visit reports and submit to the project coordinator.
• Develop, review, track progress against project work plans and performance monitoring and evaluation plans;
• Ensure programme adherence to internationally accepted technical norms and standards of practice in the agriculture sector;
• Review the financial performances of projects and its  adherence to the bank’s  financial rules and regulations;
• Ensure all foreseeable deviations in project implementation requiring budget revisions are communicated to the Senior Program Manager.
• Perform any other relevant duties as assigned by the project coordinators;

 Deliverables 

    The main deliverable from this exercise will be reports that track physical implementation of MASRep agricultural plan against activity performance and budget utilization of the project under the Seqota Declaration Federal Program Delivery Unit and appropriate documentation of key learnings from project implementation.

Competencies and Critical Success Factors

Functional Competencies –Technical Expertise:

• Knowledge in the areas of agriculture – nutrition nexus, food security, climate resilient sustainable agriculture, and international development;
• Understanding of the political dynamics in government, civil society and donor community in Ethiopia – at federal and regional levels; and
• Deep knowledge of the project cycle, including project implementation and portfolio management will be an advantage;
• Prior experience working in multilateral financial institutions/donor agencies or similar large organizations in the agriculture sector will be an advantage;
• Competence in the use of software applications (Word, Excel,); Capacity to communicate effectively (written and oral) in English.  

Functional Competencies – Development and Operational Effectiveness:

• Ability to facilitate strategic planning meetings which centre around results-based management and reporting;
• Ability to provide recommendations to the implementation of NSA interventions, and the monitoring and evaluation assessments; and
• Ability to be self-motivated and work with minimal supervision.
• Ability to provide top quality policy advice services on governance issues; and
• In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues.

Functional Competencies –Teamwork:

• Works well with a diverse group of people;
• Focuses on impact and results, and responds positively to critical feedback; and
• Leads teams in compiling relevant information in reports or presentations for internal and external audiences.

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling Government of Ethiopia values and ethical Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting; standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of the Government of Ethiopia ‘Seqota’ Declaration;
• Displays cultural and gender sensitivity and adaptability; and
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism

Performance Evaluation

The NSA-PM will develop and agree an annual work plan with the Seqota Declaration Federal Program Delivery Unit Senior Program Manager and other relevant departments or units at the beginning of the year. The work of the NSA-PM will be reviewed by the FPDU Senior Program Manager. 

Reporting

• The NSA-PM will report directly to the Senior Program Manager in the delivery unit. In addition, s/he will execute other duties assigned by the Senior Program Manager in the program Delivery Unit.

Project Title: Multi-sectoral Approach for  Stunting Reduction Project (MASReP)

Reports to: Seqota Declaration FPDU, Senior Program manager

Duty station: Seqota Declaration Federal Programme Delivery Unit (FPDU), MoH

Required no: 1

Type & Duration of Position: The assignment will be for a period of 12 months’ contract with possibility of extension subject to performance up to the project period.

Academic Background, work Experience and skills

• Minimum of Master’s Degree in Agriculture, Agricultural extension services, Environmental science, Soil and water management, Rural development;
• At least 10 years of ‘on-the-ground’ experience working in the agriculture sector at grassroots level with progressive managerial and coordination responsibilities at regional and national levels (including at least 5 years’ work experience at regional and national levels respectively)
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with a wide