Senior Advisor – Integrated Food Complex (IFC)

Position:                              Senior Advisor – Integrated Food Complex (IFC)

Term of Employment:      1 year with possibility of extension

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

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 Senior Advisor – Integrated Food Complex (IFC) will serve as a technical Project Manager and he/she is responsible for providing overall leadership, technical coordination, and execution of the Busa Gonofa Oromia Integrated Food Complex (IFC) Project. The role ensures the timely, cost-effective, and quality delivery of agro-processing facilities (wheat and maize flour, pasta, Maccaroni, biscuit, CSB and other diversification plants) in alignment with BGO’s strategic objectives, Beyond Aid framework, and ESG standards.

The Project Manager acts as the chief technical executor and controller, while BGO retains final authority over strategic, financial, and risk-related decisions.

This position will report directly to the BGO Management, the Technical Committee and OATC Senior Director as required and will be based in Finfinnee with frequent visit to branches.

Leadership and technical roles and responsibilities

• Advice on overall leadership, vision, and direction for the IFC Project in line with BGO’s mission and strategic goals.
• Translate approved strategies into bankable project documents, implementation plans, schedules, and milestones.
• Supervise, mentor, and evaluate project staff and consultants to ensure accountability and high performance.
• Ensure coordination across technical, financial, procurement, environmental, and administrative functions.
• Review and submit engineering designs, construction methodologies, and equipment specifications for approval by BGO and the Technical Committee.
• Ensure compliance with international quality, safety, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards.
• Oversee installation, testing, commissioning, and operational readiness of machinery and facilities.
• Prepare and manage bid documents in compliance with General Condition of Contract & Special Condition of Contract (2011) and Ethiopian procurement regulations.
• Lead International Competitive Bidding (ICB) processes for local and international suppliers.
• Oversee contract negotiations, logistics, customs clearance, and supplier performance under BGO authorization.
• Enforce contractual obligations and initiate corrective actions where required.
• Implement the approved project budget in full compliance with BGO’s financial policies and directives.
• Authorize expenditures only within approved limits and ensure full documentation and reporting.
• Prepare financial forecasts, cash flow projections, and risk assessments for review by BGO and the Project Technical committee.
• Optimize use of financial, human, and physical resources while ensuring cost-effectiveness.
• Develop and manage a two-year Master Work Plan with measurable milestones.
• Establish Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) systems to track progress, risks, and performance.
• Submit monthly, quarterly, and annual progress reports to BGO and the Technical Committee.
• Ensure timely completion of planning, construction, commissioning, and handover phases.
• Design and implement a project communication and visibility strategy in line with BGO values.
• Liaise with government institutions, cooperatives, farmers’ unions, investors, communities, and development partners.
• Establish and manage grievance redress and community outreach mechanisms.
• Represent BGO in high-level meetings, negotiations, and donor consultations as delegated.
• Prepare bankable project proposals supported by technical, financial, and socio-economic analyses.
• Liaise with local and international financier.
• Support structuring of loan, equity, and blended finance arrangements.
• Conduct sensitivity and risk analyses related to forex, logistics, and commodity price fluctuations.
• Identify and manage operational, financial, environmental, and political risks.
• Integrate environmental and social safeguards into all project phases.
• Prepare contingency plans to mitigate disruptions and ensure continuity.
• Build institutional capacity through training, mentoring, and skills transfer.
• Establish partnerships with universities and TVET institutions for workforce development.
• Document lessons learned and best practices to ensure sustainability and smooth post-handover operations.
• Deliver fully functional and commissioned factories within two (2) years, subject to force majeure.
• Contribute to job creation, food security, and industrial diversification in Oromia.
• Ensure transparency, accountability, and compliance with BGO’s governance framework.Secure long-term sustainability of the project under the Beyond Aid framework

Required qualifications, competencies, skills, and experience:

• Master’s or PhD Degree in Engineering, Project Management, Industrial Engineering, Agribusiness, Economics, or related fields.
• Professional certification in Project Management is a strong advantage.
• 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, in managing large-scale industrial or agro-processing projects.
• Proven experience in design, construction, commissioning, and operation of industrial facilities.
• Strong background in procurement, contract management, and international competitive bidding.
• Experience working with donors, development banks, or blended finance projects is an asset.
• Strong leadership, negotiation, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent financial, analytical, and risk management capabilities.
• In-depth knowledge of Environment, Social, Governance standards, safeguards, and compliance frameworks.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage complex, multi-stakeholder projects.
• Fluency in English and Afaan Oromo required; knowledge of Amharic is a strong advantage.

 

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.