Regional Operation Director

About the Organization
The Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Institute (ATI), formerly the Agricultural Transformation Agency (ATA), is a government institute focused on accelerating the growth and transformation of Ethiopia’s agriculture sector. Agriculture is a critical driver of the nation’s economy, contributing substantially to GDP, employment, and exports.

ATI’s mission is to improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers through inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agricultural practices. The Institute delivers value by combining policy analysis, technical implementation support, capacity building, and coordination of multi-stakeholder platforms.

ATI collaborates with policymakers, researchers, farmers, development partners, and international stakeholders to promote evidence-based decision-making. Employees at ATI have the opportunity to directly influence national agricultural transformation while gaining exposure to leadership, project management, and operational excellence in a dynamic environment.

The organization values adaptability, collaboration, and innovation, offering a platform for professionals to maximize their potential while contributing meaningfully to Ethiopia’s agricultural sector.

Job Description
The Regional Operation Director provides leadership for all regional office operational functions, including finance, human resources, logistics, IT, and administrative management. The role ensures the regional office operates efficiently and effectively, supporting ATI’s programs and projects at the regional level.

This position is crucial for maintaining operational excellence, compliance with legal frameworks, and alignment with organizational objectives. The director oversees operational staff, manages budgets, and supports program teams to achieve strategic results.

Key Responsibilities

1. Financial and Subgrant Management:

• Lead regional budget planning, preparation, review, and realignment processes.
• Ensure compliance with ATI financial guidelines, donor requirements, and national legal frameworks.
• Facilitate internal and external audits, ensuring adherence to financial controls.
• Monitor cash flow management and oversee disbursement of funds.
• Approve payment requests according to regional authorization schemes.
• Extract, analyze, and report budget variance analyses to management.
• Supervise timely settlement of advances and ensure government taxes are paid and reported.
• Support grant management, including capacity building for subgrantees and performance reporting.
• Ensure year-end financial accounts are closed accurately and reported to headquarters.

2. Procurement and Construction Management:

• Oversee procurements in line with ATI, national, and donor policies.
• Lead preparation and approval of regional consolidated procurement plans.
• Guide purchase requisition processes and review bidding documents.
• Ensure transparent bid opening, technical and financial evaluation, and award notification.
• Support contract negotiations, compliance, and performance monitoring.
• Track guarantees, address contractual conflicts, and maintain proper procurement documentation.
• Oversee construction projects, ensuring timely completion and quality standards.

3. Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting:

• Compile and summarize regional physical and financial plans.
• Incorporate feedback and communicate finalized plans to management.
• Ensure standardized monitoring and evaluation of regional program performance.
• Prepare and present plan socialization and performance reports for review meetings.
• Submit timely reports to regional management, HQ, and stakeholders.

4. Human Resources and Administrative Management:

• Ensure vacant positions are filled according to the approved organogram.
• Oversee recruitment, onboarding, socialization, and goal setting for new staff.
• Ensure staff performance evaluations, leave planning, and training needs are addressed.
• Maintain a conducive office environment, including facilities, equipment, and cleanliness.
• Administer staff benefits, including medical insurance, allowances, and maternity packages.
• Promote discipline, address grievances, and create a positive organizational culture.

5. Logistics and Fleet Management:

• Plan and prioritize vehicle deployment for efficient use.
• Ensure timely vehicle maintenance, repair, and fuel management.
• Monitor vehicle usage via GPS and manage irregularities.
• Oversee storage, issuance, and proper documentation of inventory and fixed assets.
• Ensure disposal of obsolete items follows regulatory guidelines.
• Track and report program-distributed equipment and materials.

6. IT Services Management:

• Ensure proper functionality of IT infrastructure and ERP systems.
• Provide technical support and troubleshooting for staff.
• Configure systems for new staff and maintain IT security policies.
• Conduct preventive maintenance for IT equipment regularly.

Educational Qualification

• Master’s degree or PhD in Business Administration, Business Management, Public Administration, Organizational Development, or a related field.

Work Experience

• For Master’s degree holders: at least 12 years’ combined experience in operations (finance, HR, procurement, logistics, IT, or administration), including 6 years in leadership or senior management.
• For PhD holders: at least 6 years in operations, with significant leadership responsibility.
• Proven experience in organizational development, system creation, and managing complex teams.

Required Skills and Competencies

• Strong understanding of legal, administrative, and operational frameworks in Ethiopia.
• Track record in developing and managing HR, IT, procurement, logistics, and administrative systems.
• Leadership experience in building high-performing teams.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Adaptable, flexible, and culturally sensitive.
• Ability to work in multidisciplinary and multi-sector environments.
• Highly energetic, goal-oriented, and committed to shared organizational objectives.
• Strong problem-solving, time management, and team-building capabilities.
• High integrity, honesty, and a service-oriented mindset.
• Proficiency in English and Amharic; knowledge of local languages is an asset.

Job Location
Hawassa, Ethiopia

Employment Type and Salary

• Full-time, one-year contract with potential extension.
• Competitive salary and benefits in line with ATI standards.

Professional Growth and Career Development

• Lead regional operations of a high-impact agricultural organization.
• Gain exposure to financial management, procurement, logistics, HR, and IT leadership.
• Develop strategic planning and operational leadership skills.
• Opportunity to mentor teams, implement systems, and strengthen organizational effectiveness.

Impact of the Role

• Ensures operational excellence and compliance at the regional level.
• Strengthens ATI’s ability to deliver programs and projects efficiently.
• Enhances smallholder farmer support by providing robust operational backbone.
• Contributes to sustainable transformation of Ethiopia’s agricultural sector.

Diversity and Inclusion
Women and candidates from underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. ATI is committed to creating an equitable, inclusive, and diverse workplace.

How to Apply

• Submit a cover letter and CV (maximum 5 pages) via https://apply.ati.gov.et.
• Clearly mention the position title in the subject line of the application.
• Do not submit scanned certificates or attachments.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.