About the Organization
The Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Institute (ATI), formerly the Agricultural Transformation Agency (ATA), is a government institute dedicated to accelerating Ethiopia’s agricultural growth and transformation. Agriculture is a cornerstone of the country’s economy, contributing significantly to GDP, employment, and exports. ATI works to improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers (SHFs) through inclusive, sustainable, and resilient agricultural practices.
ATI’s mandate includes conducting policy and analytical studies, providing technical implementation support, capacity building, and coordinating multi-stakeholder platforms. The Institute leads several innovative and pilot interventions, collaborating with national and international partners to share knowledge and advance evidence-based decision-making.
ATI fosters an organizational culture built on competence, dedication, teamwork, and innovation. The Institute values its employees, providing them with opportunities for mentorship, skill development, and career advancement while contributing meaningfully to Ethiopia’s agricultural sector.
Working at ATI means joining a fast-paced, results-oriented environment with passionate colleagues committed to achieving transformational impact across the country.
Job Description
The Senior Project Officer II – Agribusiness in Crops will lead efforts to strengthen agricultural value chains, particularly for priority crops, by supporting Farmers Production and Agribusiness Companies (FPACs). This role is central to promoting inclusive and sustainable agriculture by increasing productivity, fostering commercialization, and enhancing the capacity of smallholder farmers.
The position allows for meaningful engagement with local communities, government bodies, development partners, and private sector actors, providing the opportunity to shape Ethiopia’s agricultural future.
Key Responsibilities
1. FPC/FPAC Project Management:
- Support the establishment of new FPACs and strengthen existing farmer clusters to implement full crop packages.
- Facilitate demonstrations of new technologies and improved practices to increase crop production and productivity.
- Collect, analyze, and interpret data to monitor adoption of innovations by farmers.
- Ensure FPACs receive necessary support, including facilities, machinery, equipment, inputs, and mechanization, to function effectively.
- Conduct operational planning, budgeting, reporting, monitoring, evaluation, and learning activities to drive impact on smallholder farmers.
- Improve mechanization access, crop protection, soil health, and post-harvest handling in collaboration with regional bureaus.
- Support legal processes and company establishment for FPACs and FPCs.
- Promote climate-smart agriculture (CSA), gender inclusivity, and nutrition-sensitive practices within crop production systems.
2. Stakeholder Coordination and Value Chain Development:
- Organize alignment meetings, field visits, workshops, and cluster performance evaluations with key stakeholders.
- Establish and strengthen value chain platforms involving private sector actors to promote an integrated, inclusive approach.
- Facilitate market linkages between producers and buyers and strengthen private sector involvement.
- Coordinate with central teams to provide focused support to FPACs and crop clusters.
- Support cross-sector collaboration and problem-solving at the regional level.
3. Capacity Building and Technical Support:
- Facilitate training-of-trainers (ToT) sessions for regional, zonal, and woreda experts on FPC/FPAC governance, crop packages, protection, and soil management.
- Build capacity among stakeholders in priority crop value chains.
- Provide guidance and technical backstopping to cluster coordinators, field experts, and farmers.
- Conduct capacity gap assessments and deliver training to address identified needs.
- Monitor and evaluate FPAC/FPC interventions across the value chain, from production to market.
4. Communication and Reporting:
- Prepare high-quality weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual performance reports for the ACC Director.
- Collect, compile, and communicate data from stakeholders and partners for effective project implementation.
- Maintain transparent internal communication and share timely updates with staff.
- Collaborate with other ATI teams to ensure alignment with organizational goals.
- Ensure timely reporting, monitoring, evaluation, and learning for FPAC/ACC interventions to maximize impact on smallholder livelihoods.
Educational Qualification
- Master’s degree in Plant Science, Crop Science, Agronomy, Plant Breeding, Seed Technology, Crop Value Chain Development, Plant Protection, or other relevant fields.
Work Experience
- Minimum of 8 years of professional experience in agricultural value chain development.
- Practical experience in crop production, post-harvest handling, processing/value addition, and linking farmer groups to markets.
- Experience in market-led value chain development, upgrading activities, and managing large-scale agricultural or agribusiness projects.
- Experience with agro-processing, commercialization of crops, or agribusiness initiatives is highly desirable.
Required Skills and Competencies
- Strong planning, implementation, and monitoring skills for crop commercialization programs.
- Knowledge of value chain management, market-led development, and crop commercialization strategies.
- Understanding of Ethiopia’s agricultural system, including the roles of public, private, and informal actors.
- Technical skills in agribusiness development, business planning, and linking producers to markets.
- Proficiency in project management cycle, learning systems, and monitoring & evaluation.
- Strong data management, analysis, and reporting capabilities.
- Excellent communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and time management skills.
- Fluency in English and Amharic; knowledge of Sidama language is an asset.
Core Behavioral Competencies
- Results-oriented with strong prioritization and sequencing skills.
- Collaborative and team-oriented with facilitative leadership style.
- Energetic, passionate, and committed to transforming agricultural commercialization.
- Problem-solving skills with adaptability in challenging environments.
- High integrity, honesty, and dedication to service.
- Networking and relationship-building across multiple stakeholders.
Job Location
Hawassa, Sidama Region, Ethiopia
Employment Type and Salary
- Full-time position
- One-year contract with possibility of extension based on performance
- Competitive salary and benefits aligned with government and ATI standards
Professional Growth and Career Development
- Opportunity to lead and influence agricultural value chain development in Ethiopia.
- Exposure to advanced technical, policy, and agribusiness practices.
- Access to training, mentorship, and professional networks at regional and national levels.
- Platform to develop leadership and project management skills in high-impact initiatives.
Impact of the Role
- Directly contributes to increasing crop production and productivity for smallholder farmers.
- Supports commercialization and market access for farmer groups.
- Strengthens the capacity of farmers, FPACs, and regional stakeholders.
- Promotes inclusive and sustainable agricultural practices benefiting women, youth, and marginalized groups.
Diversity and Inclusion
Women and candidates from underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. ATI promotes a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace.
How to Apply
- Submit a cover letter and CV (maximum 5 pages) at https://apply.ati.gov.et.
- Clearly mention the position title in the subject line of your application.
- Do not submit scanned certificates or attachments.
- Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.