Senior Advisor- Grain supply Chain

Position:                             Senior Advisor- Grain supply Chain

Term of Employment:     1 year with possibility of extension

Duty Station(s):                 Oromia (Based at Addis Ababa)

Required Number:           One

Application Deadline:     January 25, 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.

About Oromia Grain Marketing Enterprise

The Gumbi is a newly established public enterprise mandated to stabilize regional grain markets, enhance food security, and ensure fair market participation of smallholder consumers, farmers, cooperatives, and aggregators. By managing sourcing, storage, distribution, market information and trade operations, Gumbi plays a pivotal role in reducing post-harvest losses, ensuring transparent pricing, and improving the livelihoods of farmers in Oromia.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Senior Advisor will advise Gumbi an institution established for coordinating Oromia Grain Marketing (OGM), Gumbi is established for coordinating effective and efficient supply chain development of grain. The senior advisor have a primary responsibility of closely engaging with management to provide advice and implement a portfolio of leadership initiatives towards increasing efficiency in management, external relations, internal systems and processes while striving for operational excellence in areas as well as initiatives related to operations of the enterprise and internal systems effectiveness and efficiency. The Advisor will be based at Gumbi and shall primarily collaborate and closely work with the two deputy CEOs reporting to Gumbi CEO and shall engage with key branch stakeholders. The Advisor will seek to strengthen the collaboration and capabilities of the Gumbi’s headquarters and branches.

The ideal Advisor will be passionate about her/his work on improving systems and processes at Gumbi and its branches. S/he must possess deep familiarity of the nation’s and region’s agriculture sector in general and the grain value chain and marketing in particular. Also, s/he must possess deep familiarity and extensive knowledge of public enterprise working environment, processes and procedures. The Advisor will lead and oversee all assignments and other functions assigned by the CEO and will support the CEO to deliver his/her mission.

The Advisor to the CEO will play a central role in strengthening Gumbi’s leadership, organizational effectiveness, and external relations. Reporting directly to the Gumbi CEO and OATC senior director in matrix, the Advisor will provide high-level strategic advice to the CEO and Deputy CEOs, lead initiatives to improve systems, processes, and capacity across Gumbi headquarters and branches, and enhance collaboration with government, private sector, and development partners to advance the enterprise’s mandate in the grain market.

The Advisor will work closely with Directors and Team Leaders to build synergies across departments, ensure smooth implementation of the CEO’s agenda, and drive institutional reform and performance improvement initiatives. The role requires a strong understanding of Ethiopia’s agriculture and grain value chain, extensive experience in public enterprises, and proven ability to engage stakeholders at both regional and federal levels

This position will report directly to the Gumbi CEO and OATC Senior Director and will be based in Finfinnee with frequent visit to branches.

Leadership and technical roles and responsibilities

• Plan and coordinate the CEO office based on the overall direction of CEO.
• Coordinate CEO Office related events and meetings and engage with the branches and other relevant regional and federal institutions when delegated.
• Develop capacity building plan for directors and teams reporting to the CEO office to enhance organizational capacity and capabilities.
• Develop capacity building project proposals to mobilise resources/fund for building the capacity of key departments of the Gumbi which have pivotal role in effectiveness and success of the enterprise.
• Conduct key Gumbi’s departments and teams’ capacity gap assessment in collaboration with the enterprise’s Deputy CEOs and relevant teams.
• Develop and/or leverage the network with national and regional organizations to explore opportunities focusing on experience sharing, and collaboration.
• Closely work with relevant departments and teams to ensure operational excellence in organization capacity building.
• Follow up timely reporting of the DCEOs, and Planning Team to the Oro Agro Group and OSF.
• Provide support to timely reporting of different teams to the planning team update the CEO or DCEOs and Management Team on technical and operational issues.
• Follow up effective regular communication and reporting with the various government offices, and key public, private and development partner stakeholders.
• Support initiation, execution and reporting related to capacity building initiatives for branches and relevant teams of the enterprise to enhance delivery mindset and technical competencies.
• Organize Management Team’s experience sharing and training activities.
• Support organizational level enhancement initiatives coming from organizational survey, CEO recommendations and the Oro Agro Group
• Contribute to and provide expert views on the overall performance and efficiency of the enterprise.
• Support any institutional reform and other assignments given by the CEO.

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

• Master’s or PhD Degree in agricultural economics, business management, business administration, development studies or other relevant fields.
• Minimum 14 years for Master’s and 8 years for PhD relevant work experience, out of which 6 years is in a leadership and managerial position, supporting areas such as,
  –  Develop strategic plan, planning and implementation of projects, resources, activities,

– Good experience of working at Federal, regional and civil society or private sector sectors.

– Leading diverse staff and ensure staff development plan interventions.

• S/he must possess deep familiarity of Ethiopian and the Oromia’s agriculture, rural development and grain market landscape.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills including thorough knowledge and understanding of various regional level and federal level institutions;
• extensive experience in facilitating dialogue with relevant public and private stakeholders.
• Strong set of personal values including integrity, honesty and desire to be of service.
• Ability and willingness to shoulder responsibilities under hectic conditions (in terms of overlapping assignments that may happen occasionally).
• High senses of responsiveness and ability to thrive in a fast-moving environment, with an emphasis on high performance, teamwork, accountability and results.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with highly collaborative working style.
• Fluency in English and Afaan Oromo 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.