About the Job
Job Title: Technical Advisor I – Forage Seed and Cultivated Forage Production
Band: 9
Required number: 1
Employment Term: Definite (i.e.., September 2028)
Report to: Technical Director and Policy Lead
Job Summary:
As Forage Seed and Cultivated Forage Production Technical Advisor, you will provide technical support on forage seed production and processing, cultivated forage production and conservation, and cultivated forage-based livestock feeding management. You will support on intensive forage densification including forage pellet making. You will promote cultivated forage-based livestock feeding to reduce feed cost while contributing to the environment safety.
You will be part of the technical team implementing the USAID Feed-the-Future funded Ethiopia Seed Activity (ESA) project. You will apply Catholic Relief Services (CRS) program quality principles and standards, donor guidelines, and industry best practices to advance the delivery of high-quality programming to the poor and vulnerable. The technical focus of the activity will be on strengthening forage seed systems, considerate of inclusive and sustainable agriculture-led economic growth and strengthened resilience among people and systems in Ethiopia.
Roles and Key Responsibilities:
- Contribute to the development and implementation of the ESA strategies, standards, tools, and best practices on forage seed production, cultivated forage production and feed reserve that effectively engage partners, donors and government. Help ensure a cross-sectoral approach integrating gender, protection mainstreaming, and disaster risk reduction.
- Provide cost benefit analyses of different animal feed scenarios and possibilities of combining cultivated forages into sustainable animal feed production and processing that enhances livestock productivity.
- Conduct feed preservation technologies on the ground in the target regions in collaboration with private and public partners.
- Foster public-private partnerships to ensure viability and sustainability of the business models implemented on the ground in the target regions.
- Implement capacity strengthening initiatives in animal feed systems and feed reserve programming for partner through helping develop learning and training strategies, conducting trainings and workshops, and mentoring and coaching of partner staffs.
- Contribute to knowledge management and learning through collecting and analyzing program data, evaluating strategic projects, assisting with measuring program impact, capturing and sharing lessons learned and best practices, and research and internal reports.
- Establish and maintain relationships with key national partners engaged in forage sector and animal feed industry.
- Participate in forums in forage seed systems, cultivated forage production and feed reserve to collect and share best practices and promote CRS’ work.
- Represent program initiative in national platforms, such as the Ethiopia forage seed and cultivated forage consortium.
About You
Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:
Education and Experience
- MSc/BSc degree in animal production, forage seed science, cultivated forage development and technology, and any relevant field preferably with working experience in the forage seed, forage production and cultivated forage-based livestock feeding management sector.
- Minimum of five years relevant working experience on forage seed and cultivated forage production, ideally with a private sector entity, with minimum of three years working for programming interventions in animal feed and nutrition sector and feed reserve.
- Demonstrated application of technical principles and concepts in forage production, feed reserve and utilization. General knowledge of other related disciplines to ensure proper cross-sectoral approach.
- Experience in business development, project design and proposal development in forage sector and feed reserve, including technical writing.
- Experience with program monitoring and evaluation, including applying data collection tools and methodologies, data analysis, and data presentation.
- Experience and skills in networking and relations with donors, peer organizations, and faith-based and civil society partners. Understanding of partnership principles.
- Work experience of USAID funded livestock related project is preferable
- Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information and budget management systems, knowledge-sharing networks.
- Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Excellent relationship management skills with ability to influence and get buy-in from people not under direct supervision and to work with individuals in diverse geographical and cultural settings.
- Strong strategic, analytical, problem-solving and systems thinking skills with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgment
- Strong written and oral communication skills
- Strong presentation, facilitation, training, mentoring, and coaching skills
- Proactive, resourceful and results-oriented
Required Languages
Amharic and English. Knowledge of another local language is a plus.
Travel – Must be willing and able to travel domestically up to 30%.
Key Working Relationships:
Internal: ESA Chief of Party, Technical Director and Policy Lead, Project Staff, Finance Manager, and Country Program and Operations teams, as well as Regional and Headquarters technical staff.
External: Implementing partner staff, USAID Representatives, Government and Private Sector stakeholders, NGOs, and others relevant stakeholders.
Agency REDI Competencies (for all CRS Staff):
Agency competencies clarify expected behaviors and attitudes for all staff. When demonstrated, they create an engaging workplace, help staff achieve their best, and help CRS achieve agency goals. These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and are used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.
- Personal Accountability – Consistently takes responsibility for one’s own actions.
- Acts with Integrity – Consistently models values aligned with CRS Guiding Principles and mission. Is considered honest.
- Builds and Maintains Trust – Shows consistency between words and actions.
- Collaborates with Others – Works effectively in intercultural and diverse teams.
- Open to Learn – Seeks out experiences that may change perspective or provide an opportunity to learn new things.
Agency Leadership Competencies:
- Lead Change – Continually look for ways to improve the agency through a culture of agility, openness, and innovation.
- Develops and Recognizes Others – Builds the capacity of staff to reach their full potential and enhance team and agency performance.
- Strategic Mindset – Understands role in translating, communicating, and implementing agency strategy and team priorities.
Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.
Required Skills
- Analytical skills
- Adaptability
If you are ready to take on this rewarding opportunity and make a difference in the lives of others, you may fill out the application form through the link and attach your up-to-date CV on/before the application deadline of October 18, 2024. You will be contacted only if selected for a written exam/interview. Phone solicitations will not be accepted. These job opportunities are open to Ethiopian nationals only
More Information
- Address Ethiopia
- Experience Level Senior
- Total Years Experience 5-10
