Seed System Development Specialist: Technical Advisor I

Job Summary:

You will provide technical advice, guidance, and support in the area of Seed Systems development. You will be part of the technical team implementing the Privately Funded Ethiopia Seed Activity (ESA) project. You will apply Catholic Relief Services (CRS) program quality principles and standards, donor guidelines, and industry best practices to advance the delivery of high-quality programming to the poor and vulnerable. The technical focus of the activity will be on climate-smart crop and forage seed systems, considering inclusive and sustainable agriculture-led economic growth and strengthened resilience among people and systems in Ethiopia. The Seed Systems Development Specialist will lead Seed system development, Market development, and private sector engagement-related activity implementation, data collection, and reporting tasks. Your coordination and relationship management skills will ensure that the project applies best practices in seed market systems development and constantly works towards improving the impact of its benefits to those we serve.

Term of Employment: Definite period (for one year)

Job Grade: 9

Department: Programs

Reports to: Program Manager II - Agriculture and Livelihoods

Job Location: CRS/Addis Ababa

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Manage the innovation and business acceleration fund (IBAF) - review proposals and develop market-based approaches that engage private sector development.
• Provide training on the seed market system approach to IBAF grantees for targeted crops and forage seeds produced under IBAF support
• Lead the market systems development approaches, providing direct support for activities related to upgrading targeted crops and forage production.
• Facilitate strategies and partnerships that strengthen linkages between crop and forage seed market actors and the cultivated forage value chain. This will include input suppliers, commercial /smallholder farmers, cooperatives, traders, and distributors to drive efficiency and sustainability in targeted crop and forage seed value chains.
• Regularly monitor and facilitate dialogues along the marketing value chain of targeted crop and forage seeds and forage-based products.
• Identify and cultivate new opportunities that strengthen market linkages across the targeted crop and forage value chain.
• Support the development of IBAF agreements, facilitate their signing, and monitor their implementation.
• Conduct periodic field monitoring visits to IBAF grantees to record their progress as per the agreement, and facilitate the release of grants based on their technical progress
• Work closely with private sector actors to identify new business models for forage processing with a focus on establishing new business models to de-risk and co-invest with the private business sector to develop new forage feed products to support livestock fattening and marketing.
• Develop and conduct market analysis, including RoR (rate of return) and cost-benefit analysis, to facilitate private sector engagement and assess Return on Investment (RoI)
• Conduct periodic market systems analyses to generate a deeper understanding of market actors, including private sector functions, behaviors, incentives, dynamics, opportunities, and develop pilots and approaches to support the establishment and expansion of the private business sector in the targeted crop and forage chain.
• Ensure the project captures and responds to up-to-date information about market system developments and private sector engagement within targeted crop and forage and livestock market systems and global best practices for Markets Systems Development.
• Monitor and facilitate dialogues along the marketing value chain of crop and forage-based products in the implementation areas, and private sector engagement and facilitation approach and work in the field with the objectives to increase their capacities in program implementation effectiveness.
• Build collaborative partnerships with private sectors, donors, local governments, and other stakeholders.
• Engage in future business development opportunities related to this project and assist in creating briefings, flyers, stories, etc. for distribution to donors and a wider audience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Business-minded, entrepreneurial, adaptive, curious, and results-oriented.
• Possess strong experience in engaging with research institutions and national seed system actors, along with excellent networking and engagement skills
• Demonstrated skills in the facilitation of public-private partnerships.
• Demonstrated ability to work and coordinate effectively with a wide variety of stakeholders, including national and local government, donors, community-based organizations, and the private sector.
• Highly data-driven with strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to make sound judgments and decisions and offer innovative solutions.
• Excellent relationship management skills with the ability to influence and get buy-in from people who are not under direct supervision and to work with individuals in diverse geographical and cultural settings.
• Strong strategic, analytical, problem-solving, and system thinking skills with the capacity to see the big picture and the ability to make sound judgments.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, facilitation, and networking skills with a wide range of private, partner, and NGO-sector actors.
• Strong presentation, facilitation, training, mentoring, and coaching skills.
• Proactive, resourceful, solution-oriented, and results-oriented.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and networking skills with a wide range of private, partner, and NGO-sector actors.
• Computer literate, especially in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), Web Conferencing Applications, and information management systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information and budget management systems, knowledge-sharing networks.

Supervisory Responsibilities -No supervisor responsibility

Key Working Relationships:

Internal - Deputy Head of Programs, Ag&L PM, Ag&L Program team, CRS Ethiopia program, and operation staff,

External - Partner, local government, and other relevant institutions

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

• MSc/MA or BA/BSc degree in Business Administration, Economics, Agricultural Economics, Rural Development, or other relevant fields with preferable working experience in the seed sector.
• Minimum of 5 years of work experience in the seed sector for MA/MSc or a minimum of 8 years of work experience in the seed sector for BA/BSc. NGO experience is preferred.
• Experience leading agricultural market systems development programs with a track record of effective private sector engagement, particularly on IBAF
• Comprehensive understanding of the current CRS IBAF implementation model and two years of experience directly engaging with Private Seed Producers using the IBAF framework.
• Deep understanding of market system development approaches and Economic & Markets Development facilitation, including coaching, relationship building, communicating, entrepreneurialism/business understanding and innovation
• Experience in working with livestock, crop production and financial market actors in the industry (public and private) actors and institutional stakeholders.
• Knowledge of participatory analyses, action, and results processes.
• Experience engaging with partner organizations.

Agency Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

• Personal Accountability – Consistently takes responsibility for one’s own actions.
• Acts with Integrity - Consistently models values aligned with CRS Guiding Principles and mission. Is considered honest.
• Builds and Maintains Trust - Shows consistency between words and actions.
• Collaborates with Others – Works effectively in intercultural and diverse teams.
• Open to Learn – Seeks out experiences that may change perspective or provide an opportunity to learn new things.

Agency Leadership Competencies:

• Lead Change – Continually looks for ways to improve the agency through a culture of agility, openness, and innovation.
• Develops and Recognizes Others – Builds the capacity of staff to reach their full potential and enhance team and agency performance.
• Strategic Mindset – Understands role in translating, communicating, and implementing agency strategy and team priorities.

What we offer

CRS offers U.S. based staff a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a generous retirement savings plan. Benefits packages for successful candidates employed outside the U.S. are based on the country of employment/in-country office where the candidate will perform the role. CRS´ work culture is a collaborative, mission-driven culture committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.

***Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.

CRS' talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people - especially children and vulnerable adults - to live free from abuse and harm.

Qualified female and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Skills Required:

• Agricultural / Studies
• Economics / Statistics
• Sales / Marketing / Business / Management
• Social / Science / Project / Management / Development