Policy Advisor: Legal advisor

ETHIOPIAN AGRICULTURAL TRANSFORMATION INSTITUTE

Position:                                Policy Advisor: Legal advisor

Term of Employment:        One year with a possibility of extension

Duty Station(s):                    Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Required Number:              One

Application Deadline:         August 22/2025

Job Description

Background: 

The Agricultural Transformation Institute (ATI) has been established by the Government of Ethiopia (GoE) to identify and address systemic bottlenecks to Ethiopia’s agricultural development. The Institute does this through problem-solving, implementation support, and capacity building of stakeholders involved in implementation of interventions that address the systemic bottlenecks. ATI has an exceptional team of highly competent and committed staff with proven track records 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 results as an individual and as a member of a team.

ATI provides a unique 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 teams with the tools, training, and mentorships necessary to achieve their career goals.

The Institute’s programmatic focus addresses priority needs identified by the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) and other stakeholders across agricultural value chains. Through its programs, ATI collaborates with public, private, and non-governmental partners to enhance strategic planning, build implementation capacity, and pilot innovative solutions.

Additionally, ATI has been mandated by the MoA to lead the revision and operationalization of Ethiopia’s agriculture and rural development policy. To fulfill this role, a dedicated policy team has been established, requiring high-level expertise in policy analysis, stakeholder coordination, and multi-sectoral engagement.

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 Legal Framework Advisor is a senior expert within the Policy Study and Food Systems Vertical of the Agricultural Transformation Institute (ATI), responsible for providing leadership support in the design, drafting, and review of legal and policy instruments that support operationalization of Agricultural and rural Development Policy adopted to ensure Ethiopia’s agricultural transformation.

Reporting to the Policy study and Food Systems Director, the Advisor will work across a diverse range of thematic areas to support the formulation, improvement, and implementation of laws, regulations, guidelines, and other frameworks that support implementation of ARD Policy. The Advisor will play a central role in bridging policy intentions and legal expressions ensuring legal instruments are not only technically sound but also practical, implementable, and aligned with national development strategies and the constitution at large.

This position requires a strong background in legal drafting, regulatory reform, policy development, and stakeholder management, with a high level of technical rigor and constitutional insight. The Legal Framework Advisor will work closely with other Policy Advisors within the Policy Team, and case-specific policy formulation governance.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide technical expertise during policy instruments development (drafting, reviewing, and revising proclamations, regulations, directives, guidelines) and other legal documents relevant to Agricultural and Rural Development Policy.
• Translate complex policy findings and sector priorities into clear, enforceable legal texts, using precise and context-appropriate legal language.
• Provide expert guidance and advisory support to other case teams where lighter support such as validation of methodology, modelling approach, assumptions or outputs is required.
• The Legal advisor will reviewing international legal frameworks, international agreements made on economic development, investment and peace, and draw lessons to be adopted to Ethiopian.
• The Legal advisor will assist the technical team reviewing translation legal frameworks to different languages.
• The Legal advisor will assist the technical team to ensure the quality of legal framework developed by different team.
• The Legal advisor will facilitate the designing of institutional framework: an institutional framework and structural set up may be proposed for the identified and in placed policy instrument.
• Participate in joint planning workshops with both public and private stakeholders focused on policy issues, ensuring that legal frameworks that are considered in the respective thematic area and found as output of policy analysis are well designed and integrated into policy dialogues.
• Contributing to the development of the ATI’s approach to policy focused work, including prioritization of   policy analyses, preferred analytical approaches and tools, engagement model with clients, local partners and senior policy makers, standard output formats, and other areas.
• Support internal ATI teams and government partners by providing legal analysis, interpretation and advice on policy instruments and legal frameworks.
• Provide advice on regulatory options and compliance mechanisms to support implementation of policy reforms.
• Facilitate consultations, roundtable discussions, and technical review sessions with federal and regional policymakers, legal drafters, and stakeholders.
• Provide advice on legal design and reform strategy in the agricultural policy space on behalf of ATI.
• Design and deliver training sessions and knowledge products on legal aspects when required.
• Share or present study findings and policy recommendations on existing policy forums or by organizing round-table discussions to senior government leaders and other partners in a clear, actionable format.

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

• Master’s degree/PhD in Agricultural economics, Land and/or Environmental Law, Public Policy, business law or Political Science, or closely related fields.
• At least twelve years with Masters/six years with PhD/ experience in legal reviews, policy analysis, or similar duties out of which six years experiences in the areas of leadership in related assignment.
• The role requires a deep understanding of legal systems, policy formulation, and regulatory impact assessment.
• The ideal candidate will have a strong background in comparative law studies, legal reviews, legal research, develop policy briefs, familiar with international and regional agreements and policy analysis to support evidence-based decision-making.
• Policy analysis experience in consulting or government setting, in areas such as policy reform agenda.
• Proven ability to develop credible, evidence-based policy advice and effectively liaise with senior policymakers, as well as development partners, non-governmental and private sector organizations.
• Proven ability to communicate clearly and effectively with a range of stakeholders in a cross-cultural environment complex technical issue to policymakers, stakeholders, and non-specialists. (fluency in English is essential)
• Experience managing complex, multi-partner initiatives and coordinating across institutions.
• Remaining current with relevant legal system of the country as applied to major macro-economic and micro-economic policy changes and carrying out analytical work associated with the changes to generate evidence to inform and guide policy and regulatory reforms
• Highly collaborative working style and demonstrated success in managing and developing high-performing teams.
• Strong understanding of the country’s broad economic reform program, international and regional contexts,  the rationale and what it will mean for agriculture and rural development
• Strong set of personal values including integrity, honesty, and desire to be of service
  Undertakes additional tasks as may be required by her/his supervisor.

PREFERRED ATTRIBUTES

• Experience working within or alongside government legal departments, law reform commissions, or legislative drafting bodies.
• Familiarity with donor-funded reform programs and multi-institutional policy initiatives.
• Strong commitment to public sector transformation, accountability, and legal coherence.

 

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 under the subject line of your cover letter. Please DO NOT submit scans of certificates with your application.

Women are highly encouraged to apply

NB. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.