Advisor to the State Minister of Livestock and Fisheries Resource Development Sector

Position:                Advisor to the State Minister of Livestock and Fisheries Resource Development Sector

Term of Employment:          One year with the possibility of extension

Duty Station(s):                     Addis Ababa, Secondment to MoA

Required Number:                One

Application Deadline:          January 24, 2026

Job Description

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 centred 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 team work 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 Advisor to Livestock State Minister directly reports to State Minster of MoA with a  primary responsibility of providing advice and implement a portfolio of technical leadership initiatives towards increasing efficiency in management, external relations, internal systems and processes while striving for operational excellence in mega projects and programs as well as initiatives related to livestock sector policies and strategies. The Advisor shall collaborate and closely work with the livestock departments reporting to the state minister and engage with strategic regional stakeholders. The Advisor is expected to strengthen collaboration among federal and regional institutions contributing to livestock sector transformation of the country.

The  Advisor is expected to be passionate about her/his work on improving the Ethiopian livestock systems. S/he must possess deep understanding of the Ethiopian agricultural systems in general and the livestock sector development in particular. The advisor must have extensive knowledge of the Ethiopian agricultural policy, strategies, programs and initiatives. The Advisor will coordinate and oversee implementation of the major activities of the office of livestock sector and other functional units of MoA while integrating prioritized activities with regional bureau of livestock and fisheries and bureau of agriculture.

S/he will also work closely with lead executive offices of livestock sector and regional bureaus (bureau of agriculture, bureau of livestock and fisheries and other relevant bureaus)  to maximize synergies across different programs and functional department. S/he will advise the State Minister of livestock sector of MoA on overall livestock and fisheries policies, strategies, programs and initiatives implemented across all the production system including pastoral and agro-pastoral system.  The Advisor will compile and provides the State Minster all the necessary documents and information in various forms as an inputs for making evidence-based decision.

Key responsibilities

• Provide leadership and technical expertise for planning, coordination and implementation of  the livestock sector deliverables of MoA.
• Coordinate and organize events and meetings of the livestock sector state minsters office and engage with the regional agriculture/livestock and fisheries bureau and affiliated institutions.
• Develop and/or leverage the network with international likeminded organizations to explore opportunities focusing on experience sharing, leadership development etc.
• Strengthen the effectiveness and efficiency of the livestock sector of the Ministry and affiliated institutions
• Document and promote climate resilient livestock and fisheries resources development and mitigation approaches.
• Contribute to various  efforts geared to establish centers of excellence for livestock and fisheries development.
• Identify policy gaps and support the development of policies and strategies related to animal feed development, animal health, animal genetic improvement,  livestock and fisheries extension services, and livestock market.
• Monitor and evaluate the performance of livestock programs and initiatives and identify areas for improvement.
• Support resource mobilization and system development for livestock development initiatives.
• Ensure that livestock development initiatives and approaches are resilient, environmentally friendly and sustainable.
• Support the development and implementation of livestock data standards to improve data collection, storage, and utilization.
• Present study findings, policy briefs, recommendations and others to senior government leaders and other stakeholders.
• Oversee the implementation of livestock-related projects and initiatives, ensuring alignment with national strategies and goals.
• Identify capacity gaps within the livestock sector and support the implementation of training programs to enhance knowledge and skills.
• Contribute to the development of short, medium, and long-term plans for livestock development, focusing on priority areas to address systemic constraints.
• Facilitate communication and collaboration with governmental and non-governmental stakeholders to ensure inclusive and evidence-based decision-making.
• Conduct desk review  and analysis to inform the development of livestock policies and strategies.
• Ensure value for money is achieved and driving impact in the agriculture sector.
• Follow up timely reporting of the departments to the state minister office and Parliament as required.
• Support the initiation and execution  of capacity development initiatives for affiliated institutions and regional bureau of agriculture/livestock and fisheries to enhance transformational mindset and technical competencies.
• Support agricultural reform initiatives and any other assignments given by the state minister of MoA.

Required qualifications, competencies, skills, training, and experience:

• Master or PhD Degree in animal sciences, animal production, animal breeding and nutrition, Animal health, Agribusiness and related areas
• Minimum 12 years for master’s and 6 years for PhD professional experience, out of which 6 years should be in leadership and managerial positions
• S/he must possess deep familiarity and understanding of the Ethiopian agriculture and the livestock systems.
• Excellent understanding on relevant major macro-economic and micro-economic policy reforms related to the agricultural sector and make maximum efforts for its implementation.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, including thorough knowledge and understanding of various regional-level and federal-level institutions; coordinating multi-stakeholder processes,  extensive experience in facilitating dialogue with relevant public and private stakeholders.
• Experience in, preferably involving, government ministries, development partners, and civil society.
• Strong set of personal values, including integrity, honesty, and a desire to be of service.
• Ability and willingness to shoulder responsibilities under hectic conditions (in terms of overlapping assignments that may happen occasionally).
• High sense of responsiveness and ability to thrive in a fast-moving environment, with an emphasis on high performance, teamwork, accountability, and results.
• Experience in working with multi-cultural teams preferred.
• Strong analytical, writing, and communication skills, including experience in producing policy reports and presenting to high-level audiences.
• Fluency in English and Amharic required.

HOW TO APPLY

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

We invite all candidates meeting the required qualifications to submit (i) a cover letter and (ii) a CV (maximum 5 pages) to: https://apply.ati.gov.et It is mandatory to mention the position title in both the subject line of your cover letter and the Outlook email subject line. Please DO NOT submit scans of certificates with your application.

Women are highly encouraged to apply

NB. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.