Policy Advisor: Private Sector Engagement and Agri-Inputs

Position:                                 Policy Advisor: Private Sector Engagement and Agri-Inputs

Term of Employment:         One year with a possibility of extension

Duty Station(s):                    Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Required Number:               One

Application Deadline:         November 26, 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 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 Agricultural Policy Advisor is a senior-level professional within the Policy Study and Food Systems Vertical of the Agricultural Transformation Institute (ATI). This role plays a pivotal function in shaping and executing Ethiopia’s agricultural policy landscape, with a particular focus on agricultural input systems and private sector engagement.

Under the direction of the Policy Study and Food Systems Director, the Agricultural Policy Advisor will lead and support a portfolio of policy analysis, policy drafting, stakeholder consultations, advocacy, and the piloting of reform implementation along with a deep commitment to transforming agriculture and improving smallholder farmers’ livelihoods. A major aspect of this role involves fostering partnerships that enable more efficient and market-driven input supply systems through evidence-based policymaking.

The Advisor will work closely with ATI’s Analytics Team, external research partners, senior policymakers, and key private and development sector stakeholders to deliver high-impact studies, policy instruments, and reform initiatives aligned with national priorities. A strong background in agricultural input systems (e.g., seeds, fertilizers, agrochemicals, mechanization, digital services) and demonstrated success in engaging with the private sector is essential.

Significant experience and proven success in leading and delivering high-impact, challenging policy-related analysis, policy drafting, stakeholder consultation, and engagement with policymakers is therefore required. A strong passion for transforming agriculture and improving the lives of smallholder farmers is highly preferred.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Under direction of the Policy Study and Food Systems Director, oversee comprehensive assessments to inform agenda setting and identify priority issues within the agricultural sector, emphasizing the role of the private sector in agriculture and agricultural inputs.
• Coordinate and participate in joint planning workshops with both public and private stakeholders focused on policy issues, ensuring that input supply chains are effectively integrated into policy dialogues.
• Lead or support the design and execution of policy studies focusing on private engagement, responsible investment framework (RIF), agricultural input systems, access, quality, market dynamics, and regulatory frameworks.
• Identify and prioritize policy reform areas in collaboration with government and sector stakeholders, particularly those that unlock private sector investment and innovation in agricultural input supply chains.
• Develop the approach to contract-out policy analysis to partner institutions and service providers, locally and internationally, and oversee quality control of the deliverables.
• Join Analytical case teams to take on policy-focused work, including problem structuring, data collection, quantitative and qualitative analysis that includes economic modeling, market analysis, and policy impact assessments.
• Serve as an advisor to high-level policymakers, development partners, and private sector actors on input policy matters.
• Organize and lead multi-stakeholder consultations, roundtables, and policy forums to ensure inclusive and evidence-based decision-making.
• Share or present study findings, policy briefs and policy recommendations to senior government leaders and other partners in a clear, actionable format.
• Manage externally commissioned policy studies with local and international partners, ensuring timely delivery and quality control of outputs.
• Identify and address policy bottlenecks that limit private sector participation particularly in the input supply chain and agricultural sector in general.
• Support the design of incentive mechanisms, regulatory improvements, and business-enabling reforms that promote commercial farming.
• Assess and designed appropriate instructional and legal frameworks to transit farmer producers cluster to commercial company tailored to smallholder farmers.
• Build and maintain partnerships with input suppliers, agro-dealers, cooperatives, and financial institutions to co-develop policy interventions that enhance access, quality, and affordability.
• 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.
• Design and conduct training courses on policy analysis and agricultural input strategies targeting staff within the organization and stakeholders in the wider agricultural sector.
• Undertakes additional tasks as may be required by her/his supervisor.

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

• Master’s degree/PhD in Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness and Value Chain Management, Economics, Public Policy, Development Economics, or closely related fields.
• Minimum 12 years of relevant work experience/6 years with PhD, with at least six years experiences in the areas of leadership and policy analysis, involving agricultural inputs and/or private sector engagement in agriculture.
• Demonstrated success in policy formulation, regulatory reform, responsible investment farmwork, incentive mechanisms for Private sector and farmers producer cluster, market analysis, or public-private partnership development in the agricultural sector.
• 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.
• Strong understanding of the Ethiopian agricultural landscape, particularly private sector investment, input systems (seed, fertilizer, pesticides, irrigation, etc.), agribusiness models, and regulatory frameworks
• Proven ability to communicate complex technical issues to policymakers, stakeholders, and non-specialists.
• Experience managing complex, multi-partner initiatives and coordinating across institutions.
• Updated with relevant 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.
• Exceptional ability to communicate clearly and effectively with a range of stakeholders in a cross-cultural environment (fluency in English is essential)
• Highly collaborative working style and demonstrated success in managing and developing high-performing teams.
• 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.

 

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.