Regional Operation Director

Employment:                  One year with the possibility of extension

Duty Station:                   Hawassa, Ethiopia

Required Number:         One

Application Deadline:    February 19, 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 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 to 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 Operations Director will be responsible managing the regional office finance, HR, IT, logistics helping and creating operational and program budgets in collaboration with the RSD and Program Director.  Direct reporting to the RSD and serving as a member of the regional management team, this position’s primary responsibility is ensuring regional ATI office effectiveness by providing leadership for the regional office operations functions.

The role of Regional Operations Director involves monitoring of all operations personnel at the regional level to

·       Ensure procurements are in accordance with the policies and procedures of ATI and other legal framework,

·       Monitor the efficiency and effective transport services/logistics to achieve company transport and logistical objectives,

·       Ensure financial process are in alignment with financial guidelines of ATI and other legal national framework in addition to making sure financial objectives are met, and

·       Ensure effective provision of IT services to regional staff.

·       Ensure Human Resources and administration services are provided efficiently in the regions

The Regional Operations Director will directly report to the Regional Senior Director with secondary reporting line to Operations Senior Director at HQ.

Essential Duties:

KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Outcome 1:    Ensure Effective Financial & Subgrant Management

• Coordinate and oversees the Regional annual budget planning preparation, review, and realignment process
• Ensure financial process are in alignment with financial guidelines of ATI and other legal national and Donor framework agreement
• Host, oversees and facilitate Internal and external audit engagements
• Monitor adherence to internal and external controls of the Regional Operations team and prepare and submit periodic reports to the Regional Senior Director and Operations Senior Director
• Monitor and ensure cash flow management and cash transfer on demand and SoF segregated basis
• Follow up and ensure Regional annual budget planning is carried out as per the ATI standard template
• Ensure the smooth functionality of IFMIS, Internet Banking and ERP; follow up and timely report on any discrepancies or irregularities
• Review and approve payment requests as per the regional authorization scheme on ERP/IFMIS/IB systems
• Follow up and ensure periodical BVA is extracted, analysed, compiled, and submitted to budget holders and Regional Management for review and further guidance
• Oversee and address complains on workshops/events and payment delay of suppliers
• Follow up and ensure timely settlement of all advances (procurement, travel, workshop, non-ATI staff) and communicate for the delay
• Follow up and ensure Govt Taxes (such as VAT, WHT etc) are paid and reported periodically to HQ
• Supervise the implementations of corrective actions on audit findings and ensure adherence to financial operational standards
• In coordination with HQ, Finance ensure timely transfer of Gov’t budget and proper utilization, repurposing, and reporting.
• Identify and develop risk management plan for regional office; prepare and implement mitigation plan
• Coordinate the preparation and submission of monthly, quarterly, biannual, and annual financial reports to Regional Management and HQ Finance Team Lead and coordinate mid-year budget revision process as per the ATI standard template
• Follow up and ensure teams are utilizing quarterly and annual budget efficiently and reminder sent for any significant variation
• Ensure the grant supports provided as per the ATI’s grant management guidelines and procedures
• Monitor subgrantees are provided sufficient capacity building support and ensure subgrantees submitted regular standard performance report
• Ensure subgrant database is tracked and reports are extracted and submitted to HQ Subgrant Team
• Follow up and ensure year-end financial accounts are closed and reported to HQ

Outcome 2 : Ensure Effective Procurement & Constructions Management

• Ensure procurements are in accordance with the policies and procedures of ATI, National legal and Donor requirements
• Lead the preparation of regional level consolidated procurement plan and submit to Regional Management review and feedback
• Follow up and ensure the consolidated regional procurement plan is approved and uploaded; review and address for any irregularities and communicate to budget holders/teams
• Coordinate and provide guidance on initiating purchase requisition process to Regional Teams
• Review and approve PR’s by checking completeness of supporting documents (specifications, ToR, drawings. BoQ etc)
• Assigning approved PRs to procurement experts based on work volume, level of competency and urgency
• Review and provide comments on draft bidding documents and ensure the timely submission of the bidding document to Regional PEC for review and endorsement
• Follow up and ensure timely endorsement by PEC and address any concern raised by PEC
• Follow up and ensure bid announcements are floated using widely circulated newspaper
• Follow up and ensure any clarifications, time extension, amendments are timely and consistently responded to potential suppliers
• Follow the smooth running of bid opening event and ensure the ad hoc technical committee is established and approved by SD
• Follow up timely completion of technical and financial evaluations, results are communicated to suppliers and address any raised complaints
• Ensure the bidding document is endorsed by PEC and award notification is sent for the winner supplier to finalize the contract agreement
• Support and guide procurement officers during the process of contract negotiations
• Review and ensure contract agreements are incompliance with the organization policy; terms and conditions are exhaustively incorporated to minimize contractual risks
• Follow up and ensure the contract is implemented as per the agreement and resolve any disagreements raised related to the contract agreement
• Track, follow up and ensure the validity of performance and advance security guaranty are inconformity with contract completion period
• Ensure any issues or conflicts arising from the contractual agreement is managed upon a close consultation from Procurement Director, Finance Director, Legal Advisor, Program and Operation Director
• Ensure all procurement documents are compiled, organized, and filled properly both in soft and hard copies
• Follow up and ensure timely submission of procurement reports to Regional Management Team and Procurement Director as required
• Ensure procurement related directives circulated from MoF, PPPA HQ are strictly adhered and implemented
• Oversee, follow up and ensure the implementation of construction projects as per the contract agreement
• Lead and organize regular review meeting with construction project stakeholders to ensure timely completion and intended quality

Outcome 3: Ensure effective Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting management

• Ensure the overall regional planning (physical & financial) is compiled, summarized, and submitted to the regional management for review and feedback
• Ensure feedback and comments are incorporated into the final planning and communicated to the regional Management and HQ
• Oversee the entire monitoring and evaluation process to ensure standardized program performance and compliance
• Oversee the preparation and presentation of plan socialization and performance report on review meetings
• Ensure all regional level periodic reports are compiled and submitted to regional management, HQ and concerned stakeholders

Outcome 4: Ensure effective Human Resources and administrative management

• Ensure vacant positions are filled out as per the approved regional organogram
• Follow up and ensure approved new hires and replacements positions are timely posted/announced
• Follow up and ensure recruitments and selection are processed and completed timely
• Follow up and ensure new recruits are given onboarding/socialization in an organized manner
• Ensure new hires are equipped with necessary logistics (Computers and furniture) and office space is arranged
• Follow up and ensure goal setting is completed for probationary and permanent staffs
• Support and ensure annual staff performance evaluation is timely completed and submitted to HQ
• Ensure staff annual leave is properly planned and follow up leaves are  requested accordingly
• Support and guide on gap identification assessment and tailored training is organized and facilitated for regional staffs
• Ensure conducive office working environment is created by fulfilling required office facilities (timely maintenance office equipment and building, cleanness of office and rest rooms); availing refreshments, clean water etc
• Ensure staffs have timely filled out and completed annual organizational survey, team health check and other assessments communicated by HQ
• Ensure staff benefit packages (medical insurance, mobile allowance, low salary staff support, maternity packages) are timely provided
• Ensure and follow up office work discipline is maintained and address staff grievance and concerns timely

Outcome 5: Ensure Effective Logistics Management (Fleet & Property)

• Ensure regional level vehicle demand is properly planned and requested
• Ensure coordinated and prioritized vehicle deployment for efficient resource utilization
• Ensure timely and regular vehicle repair and maintenance is carried out
• Review and ensure fuel and lubricant consumptions are as per the set normalization/standard
• Follow up monthly vehicle related reports are prepared and timely submitted to HQ
• Follow up and ensure monthly vehicle trips are closed timely
• Guide and support transport and mechanic specialist to carry out vehicle related expense analysis and recommend mechanisms to reduce unnecessary expenses
• Ensure the functionality of GPS and vehicles are tracked, monitored, and reported for any irregularities
• Ensure proper storage space utilization, organized shelving of inventory items and fixed assets
• Ensure all inventory items and fixed assets are recorded on ERP system and issued accordingly
• Ensure the disposal of used items identified and segregated based on PPPA guideline and reported to HQ for further guidance and action
• Ensure the timely reporting to HQ regarding lost or damaged assets
• Ensure programmatic distributed equipment and materials have distribution list, proof of supporting documents such as Model 19 are timely collected from beneficiaries
• Ensure all fixed assets are tagged, and ATI logo is stamped on donated equipment and materials; and sign boards are erected for infrastructures built

Outcome 6:   Ensure Effective provision of IT Services:

• Ensure the proper functionality of the IT infrastructure and ERP system
• Ensure troubleshooting of problems and IT technical support is provided for staffs
• Ensure proper support is given for newly joined staffs on computer configuration, email creation and regrouping of teams on address book based on their similarity
• Ensure ATI IT security policy is maintained
• Follow up and ensure periodic preventive maintenance is conducted for all IT equipment (computers, printers, copiers etc)

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree or PhD in business administration, Business Management, Public Administration, organizational development or related field
• At least 12 years’ combined experience for master’s degree and 6 years for PhD in operations related role (Admin, HR, Finance, Procurement Logistics, and/or IT), of which at least 6 years worked in a leadership or senior management role
• Strong understanding of legal, administrative and operational standards and procedures in the Ethiopian context
• Track record in organizational development, systems creation and management, leadership of complex organizations, etc.
• Demonstrable experience in developing, implementing and managing HR, IT, procurement, logistics and/or administrative systems
• Experience in building a strong team to whom significant responsibilities are delegated
  Excellent written and oral communication skills, strong interpersonal skills
• Flexibility, adaptability, and culturally sensitive
• Good working knowledge of communications systems
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multidisciplinary, diverse staff, and multi-sector environment
• Strong team player, highly energetic, self-motivated, goal-oriented and committed to shared goals
• Excellent adaptive problem-solver in challenging environment
• Strong set of personal values, including integrity, honesty and desire to be of service
• Ability to thrive in a fast-moving environment with emphasis on high-performance, accountability and results
• Ability to work under pressure, long work hours, and high workload
• Ability to independently organize work and prioritize tasks
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Proficiency in English language & Amharic.
• Knowledge of local langue is advantageous.

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