Crop Value Chain: Sr. Project Officer Ii

Position Summary

The Senior Project Officer II- Crop Value Chain is responsible for the implementation of all crop production related activities and the achievement of agricultural results to a high level of quality and in a timely manner. In particular, he/she will lead all activities concerning the increase of seed and plant multiplication capacity (Result 2.2), all activities concerning the increase in productivity and resilience of farming systems (Result 2.2), as well as activities linked to strengthening local seed, seedling, and plant germoplasm selection and management capacity (within Result 2.1). The officer will also oversee irrigation related activities (Result 1.3). He/she will collaborate closely with the Project Manager for the implementation of all other agricultural activities in Component 1 and part of Result 2.1 in component 2. He/she will report to the FARM project Manager. The FARM project logical framework will be annexed to the job description after the job offer to allow a clearer understanding of responsibilities.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Coordinate implementation of crop production related activities and achieve planned crop production results to international quality standards.
• Participate in the preparation of annual work plans and budgets, establishing
• performance objectives and standards related to crop production activities, and ensuring timely and appropriate feedback, guidance, and support for optimum performance.
• Provide crop production related technical advice to all project stakeholders.
• Oversee the monitoring of crop production components progress and the evaluation of corresponding results.
• Identify needs for external technical support for effective implementation of crop production activities, support the Team Leader in organizing and overseeing agriculturally related short-term missions.
• Support, for crop production related activities, procurement of goods and services, and budget and expenditure analysis
• Assist in drafting project related reports in relation to crop production activities.
• Ensure coordination and harmonization of FARM project crop production activities with those of government authorities and other Development Partners active in Northern Ethiopia
• Support the TL in strategic dialogue between AFD, project staff and Government officials at central and local levels, in relation to agriculture, particularly seed value chain development and agroecology.
• Work on a potential revision of the regulatory framework regarding crop productionFor issues related to crop production, assist the TL and M&E coordinator in project
• M&E, knowledge management, communication material, capitalization and advocacy, particularly in terms of lessons learned and best practices.Required

Qualification, Competencies and Experience

• Master’s degree or above in agronomy, plant production, seed science, horticultural science or related fields.
• AT least 8-year experience in agricultural development projects.
• Professional field experience in at least six of the following (more is an asset):
• farming system analysis, seed value chains (formal and informal) support,
• agroecological practices, horticulture adaptive research, participate research farmer groups, establishment of Seed Producer Cooperative Unions (SPCU),
• Community seed banks, or agricultural extension service development.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the national regulatory framework
• Knowledge of Ethiopia with knowledge of the Northern Ethiopian context is a strong asset.
• Experience in Participatory Guarantee Scheme (PGS) establishment is an asset.
• Proficiency in oral and written English and in Amharic.
• Familiarity with Ethiopia’s agricultural research system is an asset.
• Sensitivity to gender and environmental issues.
• Desire of improving the lives of smallholder farmers.
• Willingness to undertake frequent field visits.
• Computer literacy.
• Rigour, autonomy, and integrity.