Technical Advisor

Background

The Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Institute (ATI), formerly known as the Agricultural Transformation Agency (ATA), is a strategy and delivery-oriented government institute created to help accelerate the growth and transformation of Ethiopia’s agriculture sector, which is a key contributor to the country’s GDP, exports, and workforce.

The ATI’s work is cantered on improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers (SHFs) across the country for improved income, inclusiveness, resilience, and sustainability.

The ATI works to transform the agriculture sector in Ethiopia by conducting policy and analytical studies, providing technical implementation support and capacity building, coordinating platforms to better integrate partners and projects and designing and directly leading several innovative/pilot interventions.

The Institute joins forces with various stakeholders, including policymakers, researchers, farmers, and development partners, to support the implementation of agricultural development programs and initiatives.

In addition, the ATI collaborates with national and international partners to facilitate knowledge exchange and learning opportunities. The Institute plays a crucial role in generating and disseminating information to support evidence-based decision-making in Ethiopia’s agricultural sector.

Our Culture

We have an exceptional team of highly competent employees with a proven track record of success in managing complex activities and achieving transformational results.

Our culture is one where talented, dedicated, and adaptable individuals are committed to doing their best and exhibit great teamwork to achieve excellent results.

At ATI, we provide an exceptional platform for people who want to achieve their highest potential and make a meaningful contribution in changing the country’s agricultural sector.

We offer rewarding work in a young, fast-paced growing organization with passionate, committed, motivated colleagues and excellent career development and training.

We recognize our most valuable assets are our staff and are committed to providing our employees with the tools, training, and mentorships necessary to achieve their career goals.

Position Summary

The Technical Advisor: Executive of Qualification and Human Resource is responsible to provide strategic leadership to the MoA program’s Human Resource (HR) processes and overall organizational HR strategy.

The role includes policy development, recruitment, performance management, learning and development, compensation and benefits, HR systems management, organizational development, and strategic leadership support.

Key Responsibilities

1. Develop and Implement HR Strategies, Systems, Policy and Procedures

• Develop HR strategies, objectives and KPIs aligned with organizational strategies.
• Implement strategies focusing on talent acquisition, retention, engagement, compensation, health & safety, learning & development, succession planning, and employee relations.
• Design and review HR policies and procedures ensuring legal and donor compliance.
• Provide advisory support to leadership, supervisors, and employees.
• Monitor changes in Civil Service laws, regulations, and directives.
• Review and enhance HRM Information Systems.

2. Lead Hiring and Talent Deployment

• Ensure fair, transparent, and effective recruitment and selection processes.
• Develop recruitment sourcing strategies to attract top talent.
• Enhance competency-based interviews and candidate assessment tools.
• Negotiate salary packages with successful candidates.
• Support annual HR planning and salary budgeting.
• Review TORs for new hires and ensure alignment with requirements.
• Monitor recruitment dashboards and onboarding processes.

3. Deliver High Quality HR Services

• Manage employment contracts, extensions, and post-employment procedures.
• Ensure employee separation processes follow legal and policy requirements.
• Respond to employee requests on time.
• Maintain updated HR databases and personnel records.

4. Compensation and Benefits Management

• Lead compensation and benefits surveys.
• Conduct job analysis, evaluation, and grading.
• Ensure effective management of benefits, allowances, and leave systems.

5. Performance Management System

• Lead revision and enhancement of PMS systems.
• Ensure employees set goals and complete required check-ins.
• Ensure timely performance evaluations.
• Compile annual performance ratings and ensure follow-up actions.

6. Learning and Development

• Conduct training needs assessments.
• Design and implement learning interventions.
• Ensure proper allocation of resources for training programs.
• Lead succession planning and talent development programs.
• Organize mentoring, panel discussions, and experience-sharing sessions.
• Regularly review training modules and update based on trends.

7. Organizational Systems and Process Improvement

• Lead annual organizational surveys.
• Identify improvement priorities and secure leadership approval.
• Track implementation of approved enhancement plans.
• Report progress to senior leadership.

8. Planning, Budgeting and Reporting

• Prepare annual HR operational plans.
• Measure performance and report progress.
• Prepare and revise budgets based on timelines.
• Ensure efficient utilization of approved budgets.

Required Qualification

• Master’s or PhD Degree in Human Resources Management/Development, Organization Development, Management, Business Management, or related fields.

Experience

• Minimum 12 years relevant experience for Master’s degree holders.
• Minimum 6 years relevant experience for PhD holders.
• At least 6 years in leadership and managerial positions.

Working Conditions

• Primarily office-based work environment.
• Non-frequent travel to regional bureaus and organizations under the ministry.

Behavioral Competencies

• Inclusion and respect for diversity.
• Integrity and transparency.
• Ethical leadership and professionalism.
• Empathy and sensitivity toward others.

Technical Competencies

• Communication and interpersonal skills.
• Team management and staff development.
• Program/project design and execution.
• Leadership and strategic planning.
• Problem solving and data analysis.
• Talent management and succession planning.

Languages / Certifications

• Fluency in writing, reading, and understanding English and Amharic.
• International HRM certification is an advantage.

Skills Required:

• Education / Teaching / Training
• Hr / Public / Admin
• Social / Science / Project / Management / Development