Policy & Programmatic (advisor)

Job Summary:

The Policy and Programmatic Advisor will provide high-level strategic, analytical, and technical support to the Minister of Agriculture in advancing Ethiopia’s agricultural transformation agenda. The incumbent will serve as a key advisor to H.E. the Minister and lead analytical and policy initiatives that strengthen evidence-based decision-making, promote data-driven program design, and enhance the Ministry of Agriculture’s (MoA) capacity for Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL).

In alignment with the Homegrown Economic Reform Agenda II (HGER-II), the Advisor will play a central role in translating data and research into actionable policy insights that drive sustainable agricultural growth, food and nutrition security, and rural transformation. The position will involve close collaboration with MoA departments, regional bureaus, development partners, and other national stakeholders to ensure policy coherence, institutional learning, and improved coordination across agricultural data systems.

The Policy and Programmatic Advisor will provide high-level strategic, analytical, and technical guidance to strengthen policy formulation, data utilization, and performance monitoring across the agricultural sector.

The role demands a highly analytical professional with deep knowledge of agricultural policy, data systems, and program management, as well as proven experience in synthesizing complex information into strategic recommendations and high-quality reports and feedback.

The Advisor will report directly to H.E. the Minister of Agriculture and maintain regular coordination with relevant directorates, including the Policy, Strategy and Planning Directorate and the Monitoring and Evaluation Directorate.

Essential duties and responsibilities

• Advise H.E. the Minister and senior leadership on the use of policy analysis, data, and evidence for strategic planning, resource allocation, and performance monitoring.
• Support the design and operationalization of a Ministry-wide data and analytics framework to inform policy and program decisions.
• Provide technical and policy guidance on agricultural data governance, standardization, and interoperability within MoA and across national data systems.
• Support the integration of analytical findings into policy briefs, strategy documents, and planning frameworks to ensure evidence-based decision-making.
• Conduct a comprehensive assessment of existing data management and MEL systems and recommend improvements for integration, quality assurance, and real-time reporting.
• Support the development and institutionalization of dashboards, visualization tools, and data-driven performance monitoring systems.
• Facilitate linkages between MoA data systems and external platforms (including national statistics and partner databases) to enhance coordination and data consistency.
• Promote data literacy and the use of analytics in day-to-day management and policy functions across MoA directorates.
• Lead or oversee high-level analytical and policy studies on agricultural transformation, productivity, and food system resilience.Prepare policy briefs, analytical reports, and technical presentations for the Minister, senior management, and external stakeholders.
• Build and strengthen the analytical capacity of MoA staff through mentoring, technical assistance, and tailored training programs.
• Ensure that analytical outputs are translated into practical policy options and programmatic recommendations.
• Coordinate policy and programmatic engagement with development partners, research institutions, and private sector data providers to align efforts and share insights.
• Represent MoA in national and international technical working groups related to agricultural policy, statistics, and digital transformation.
• Facilitate collaboration and knowledge exchange among MoA departments, regional bureaus, and partners to harmonize data-driven initiatives.
• Ensure alignment of donor-supported analytical and digital programs with MoA’s strategic priorities and national frameworks.Deliverables:
• The Policy and Programmatic Advisor is expected to produce the following key deliverables during the assignment period:
• Inception report and work plan: A detailed inception report, including a work plan,
• priority activities, and methodology for implementation, to be submitted within the first 30 days of the assignment.
• Analytical systems assessment report: A comprehensive assessment of MoA’s existing analytical and data management systems, identifying gaps, challenges, and opportunities for integration, quality assurance, and real-time analytics.
• Analytics and capacity development plan: A structured plan outlining strategies to build MoA’s analytical capacity, enhance data literacy, and institutionalize the use of analytics for evidence-based decision-making.
• Quarterly progress reports: Periodic reports summarizing key activities, achievements, analytical outputs, and recommendations for policy or system improvement.
• Policy briefs and analytical notes: Evidence-based policy briefs, analytical papers, or thematic notes on critical agricultural policy issues and emerging priorities, as requested by H.E. the Minister or senior management.
• Communication and knowledge products: High-quality communication materials, speeches, and presentations for H.E. the Minister, as well as summaries of key
• proceedings, designed to effectively communicate MoA’s priorities, achievements, and policy directions.
• Final completion report: A comprehensive end-of-assignment report summarizing activities undertaken, key results achieved, lessons learned, and recommendations for sustaining analytical and policy improvements within MoA.

Qualification

• Minimum of MSc or PhD in Agricultural Economics, Development Economics, Data Science, Statistics, Public Policy, or a related field.
• At least 12 years of relevant professional experience for MSc holders or 6 years for PhD holders, preferably in agricultural policy analysis, strategic reporting, or advisory roles within government, research institutions, or international organizations, out of which 6 years in leadership and management position.
• Proven experience in designing and implementing policy frameworks, analytical systems, or data-driven decision-support tools within the public sector or international organizations.
• Strong technical understanding of Ethiopia’s agricultural strategies, policy landscape, and national data ecosystems, including monitoring and evaluation frameworks.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex data and analytical insights into actionable policy recommendations and strategic guidance.
• Exceptional writing, communication, and presentation skills, with a proven track record of producing high-quality reports, policy briefs, and speeches for senior audiences.
• Excellent command of English (spoken and written); proficiency in Amharic is an advantage.
• Strong leadership and coordination skills with the ability to engage effectively across government institutions, development partners, and research organizations.
• Ability to work under pressure, manage multiple priorities, and deliver high-quality outputs within tight deadlines.
• Commitment to capacity development and institutional strengthening through mentoring, coaching, and knowledge transfer.

Skills Required:

• Agricultural / Studies
• Computer / Software / It / Data
• Economics / Statistics
• Political / Science / Ir