Project Team Lead I - Farmers Production Cluster Grain

POSITION SUMMARY:

FPC Grain Crops Value Chain is part of the Crop Commercialization Program under the ACC vertical. The projects pursue an approach of grouping farmers with adjacent farm plots to consolidate their farm activity and develop them like a business entity and access targeted support across the value chain.

FPC - grain team is responsible for strengthening the entire value chain of grain crops (the different disciplines, inputs, extension, production, and marketing) & farmers engagement, establishing/strengthening value chain alliance, etc. He/she will give due emphasis to grain crops Farmers Production Cluster (GFPC) to be implemented as per the basic principles, and proper implementation of other activities in the value chain. He/she also assists Crop Commercialization Director and respective teams to accelerate the development and transition of FPC grain.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Lead the ACC/FPC grain crops and other FPC grain-related projects: provide strategic guidance, help solve problems, manage, and review progress and performance in order to ensure the intended impact of the VC segment interventions and projects

Strategic thinking

• Proactively identify gaps in Grain crops value chain 
• Perform diagnostics of crop projects, interventions' and propose solutions
• Strategize to ensure collaboration across grain crops VCs and other projects/NGO’s working on crop value chains
• Introduce and compile new practices, best experiences, and implementation approaches strategically for GFPC transition

Problem solving

• Proactively identify project level and VC level challenges and solve accordingly
• Effectively translate high-level strategy into project & intervention for entire VCs
• Identify key real challenges for GFPC transition on the ground and suggest appropriate mitigations

Progress review

• Lead progress review of all GFPC activities with the support of crop commercialization clusters
• Lead progress review of grain FPC projects and prioritized interventions (against result framework, annual plans & KPIs)

People Performance Management

• Manage performance review of federal staff of grain FPC team members
• Critically evaluate, engage, follow-up and monitor staffs under the team
• Contribute to federal crop commercialization directors’ performance management 

 Capacity Building

• Responsible for identifying and filling capacity gaps in Project Teams’ staff especially for Integrated VC delivery
• Facilitate experience sharing and adoption of best practices across regions

Develop strategies and plans in order to provide clear direction to all relevant teams on Team’s goals and action plan. Activities include

• Ensure realistic project plans in line with ACC result frame and activities planned for GFPC project.
• Ensure Project plans and integrated VC plans are designed for collaborative implementation
• Properly manage the staff and implementation of VC and all project activities

Perform results-focused stakeholder management in order to build collaborative relationships

External engagements

• Facilitate interactions with private sector actors, cooperatives, etc.
• Engage experts for frequent technical backstopping and technical contribution to project implementation efficiency
• Work closely with MOA in crop commercialization related activities

Internal alignment and coordination

• Align with Crop commercialization program, grain crops FPC team, Natural resource management and climate program, all input projects and other federal and regional Project Team Leads for planning and execution of all relevant activities to ensure collaborative VC delivery

Engaged in operational activities, prepare report, and assist in resource mobilization activities 

Reporting: Grain FPC team lead will report to Crop commercialization director

Approvals: Review/approve leaves, grain FPC team’s plan, performance goals/targets, budgets, reports, procurement, travel, etc.

Report Writing

• Provide qualitative information narrative for reports
• Timely prepare and deliver monthly, quarterly, and annual report of all grain FPC related activities
• Validate data to be provided by PMO team
• Guide and facilitate basic GFPC data availability and ensure national level required data accessed for GFPC project

Other

• The grain FPC team lead is responsible for any additional assignments, interventions and projects as assigned by Crop Commercialization director, ACC program SD, DCEO or CEO to meet grain FPC team goals and any additional assignments

Job Requirements

• Master's degree in crop Agronomy, crop breeding, crop management or other fields of plant science.
• At least ten (10) years of professional experience
• Good experience in market-led value chain development and upgrading activities
• At least three (3) years of leadership and/or managerial experience.
• Good experience in planning and implementation of activities at an organization level
• Excellent stakeholder management skills including thorough knowledge and understanding of various regional level and federal level institutions; extensive experience in facilitating dialogue with relevant public and private stakeholders
• Fluency in English & Amharic required; fluency in regional language(s) is advantageous.
• Excellent oral & written communication skills with highly collaborative working style.
• Experience in working with multi-cultural teams preferred.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and reporting skills.
• Strong set of personal values including integrity, honesty, and desire to be of service.
• Ability and willingness to shoulder responsibilities under hectic conditions (in terms of overlapping assignments that may happen occasionally).
• Ability to thrive in a fast-moving environment, with an emphasis on high performance, teamwork, accountability, and results.

How to Apply

We invite all candidates meeting the required qualifications to submit 

(i) a cover letter 

(ii) a CV (maximum 5 pages) to https://apply.ata.gov.et

It is mandatory to mention the position title under the subject line of your cover letter.

Please DO NOT submit scans of certificates with your application.

Women are highly encouraged to apply.

NB: Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.