Job Description
MSD is a non-profit, civic society organization founded in 1999 to combat the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Since then, MSD works to strengthen the socio-economic development of the wider community, and the nation at large. Working with partners and stakeholders, MSD advance the voice of citizens and community structures in service delivery, identifying priority needs, provide support and services to target groups with education, skills and promote opportunity to get along with assets. Aligned to its vision, mission and strategic objectives, MSD has been working in different development, emergency and humanitarian endeavors including HIV Prevention, care and support, Orphan and vulnerable children (OCV) care and support, Sexual and Reproductive health (SRH),Family Planning (FP), Gender Based Violence (GBV), migration, child protection and environmental protection. Through these technical area and services, it reached different hard to reach target groups including early married girls, GBV survivor, OVCs, refugees, PLHA, commercial sex workers and their clients, waitresses, long truck drivers, CSOs, CBOs and the community. At community level, the organization works with community members and community based social service providing institutions, schools, health facilities, government line offices, marginalized groups and professional associations.
MSD is a child safe organization and all successful applicants will be required to sign the Safeguarding Code of Conduct. The safety and wellbeing of children and at-risk adults are priorities of MSD. The organization provides a safe environment in all its programs and activities. It has strong recruitment procedures to make sure the safest and most suitable people work with the children in its programmes.
Currently, in partnership with Mercy Corps, MSD is implementing a five-year HRA projects with the fund obtained from USAID through Mercy Corps at eight woredas in North Wolo and south Gonder in Amhara region. It is therefore seeking to hire qualified and experienced professional for the following vacant Position.
PROJECT SUMMARY
The USAID-funded Highland Resilience Activity (HRA)-will continue to the Productive Safety Net Program (PSNP) 5’s “Big Push” initiative and has the overarching goal of strengthening resilience among vulnerable households in Ethiopia’s Highland , resulting in 120,000 PSNP households reaching the graduation threshold. HRA will support these households in moving above the graduation threshold and to where they no longer require social safety net programming for household food security and have the capabilities and assets to withstand regular and predictable shocks. The activity will achieve this goal by directly supporting households in increasing their on-farm, off-farm, and employment incomes while facilitating improvements in the market systems required increasing demand for goods and services in PSNP communities. HRA is a five-year program that starts in January 01, 2024. Thus, MSD is looking for qualified and competent applicants for the Agri-business Technical Officer position:-
JOB SUMMARY:
The Agribusiness Officer is a technical post responsible for ensuring high quality implementation of agricultural input and output marketing and related activities of the project. The Agribusiness Officer will be responsible for delivering and coordinating agricultural input and output marketing activities together with staff from consortium partners and building the capacity of staff and partners.
The Agribusiness Officer will work closely with the project field team and provide relevant capacity building and technical assistance to (i) project partners in implementing project interventions; and (ii) encourage active participation and networking between individuals and communities in recognizing Agricultural input market and marketing system problems, identifying solutions and implementing project activities related to the identified solutions. The post holder will also build capacities of communities and institutions in agricultural input and output marketing.
She/he will work closely with project coordinator of MSD and officers and community leaders, committees and local government development agents. She/he takes part in community meetings for information gathering, exchange and carries out participatory planning supporting field implementation. She/he is responsible for advice around innovative market and finance-based solutions and how to strengthen sustainable agricultural input and output market systems. As part of this she/he will work to ensure the establishment of effective linkage between all relevant partners.
KEY TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Responsible for delivery and the technical support of market engagement works on agricultural input and output aspects of the project
- Ensure that all agricultural input and output marketing activities are contributing towards the development of sustainable Agricultural input and output market systems.
- Lead studies and activities related to agricultural input and output market engagement within the project to ensure technical excellence of all work.
- Advice project team on best practices to ensure quality outcomes for all Agricultural input/output market engagement activities.
- Assist in the development and operation of an effective system of monitoring and evaluation of the whole Agricultural input market process
- Work with partner organizations, including ORDA and Mercy corps, to identify capacity development gaps on agri business market developments.
- Work with the project and program team and technical expertise to develop and refine tools and systems for use by project staff and partners.
- Work with project stakeholders, including cooperatives and local government, to ensure they are inclusive and designing market engagement approaches that support small holder farmers.
- Work with the PC, the program’s MEL Expert and MSD’s Quality and Impact team, to ensure the program’s M&E system properly monitors and evaluates Agricultural input and output objectives.
- Ensure the use of relevant FA’s standards; provide critical analysis and technical input to implementation processes, ensuring MSD can maximize its impact and the learning potential.
- Work closely with partner organizations to contribute lessons learned, ensure dissemination and maintain dialogue on key leanings
- With project staff and the project coordinator, identify required training for, Private Sector, community and project staff and assist in identifying trainers and / or providing delivery of training and capacity building.
- Involve in organizing capacity building trainings i.e develop TOR and facilitate the training) as required and instructed by the PC.
- Provide regular reports of work done on specific assignments undertaken
- Lead field level coordination and partnership among implementing partners in the overall project planning, monitoring, and implementation.
- Keep up to date with developments in the sector, including best practice examples, to ensure on going organizational and personal development and learning
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Project Coordinator and MSD
- These essential functions are not to be interpreted as a complete statement of all duties performed. Employees will be required to perform other job related duties as required. All work responsibilities are subject to having performance goals and/or targets established.
Reports To: MSD Project Manager and Zonal Coordinator
Work directly With: Zonal HRA project team, Mercy Corps Project Team, Partners, Consortium
Employment Type: One year contract, with possibility of renewal depending on merit and job continuity.
Gender: Both male and female are invited, and women are highly encouraged to apply.
Required Staff: 2 (two)-1-South Gondar (Debretabor) & 1-North Wollo (Woldia)
Job Requirements
QUALIFICATION:
- MA/BA or MSc/BSc qualification or equivalent in either of the following fields: agro-economics, agriculture, business, economics, cooperative, rural development, or any other relevant discipline
- Minimum of 4/6 years proven & relevant work experience, of which 4/2 yrs in a supervisory/ managerial and/or Entrepreneurship program respectively, NGO experience with strong exposure to USAID funded projects (i.e. PSNP Program) is preferable.
- Knowledge of agricultural market development and integrating CSA practices
- Knowledge of coordination/partnership development of consortium partners
- Previous experience on managing complex project or consortium an added advantage;
- Self-motivated with excellent interpersonal communication and problem-solving skills.
- Strong knowledge of and firm belief in gender equality, gender issues in rural communities and gender mainstreaming
- Hands on experience in agri-value chain development
- Demonstrable experience in facilitating farmers to access profitable markets
- A deep understanding of participatory community-based project approaches in development and economic opportunities.
REQUIRED SKILLS & COMPETENCIES:
- Strong organizational skills, and ability to lead a team of work;
- Proficient writing and verbal communication skills;
- Ability to work independently as well as in cooperation with a multicultural team;
- Ability to think creatively and strategically;
- Relevant computer skills;
- Demonstrated ability to coordinate closely with government staff, effectively manages their expectations and build capacity;
- Proven ability to set priorities, multi-task, and work collaboratively across technical disciplines.
- Ability to work in teams, in a fast pace environment, where information needs to be communicated, requested, and shared.
Language:
- Fluency (written and spoken) in English is compulsory
- Knowledge of Amharic is an advantage
Applicants can send their CV which is not more than 3 pages through [email protected] with the subject line of position and Duty station in which you are applying for.
NB: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Female Candidates are highly encouraged to apply.
The deadline for application is 15 days of this advertisement
More Information
- Address Ethiopia
