Senior Advisor, Sustainable Agricultural Production – Stichting Wageningen Research (SWR)

Background

Stichting Wageningen Research (SWR) is an international NGO registered in Ethiopia since March 2021 with the FDRE Agency for Civil Society Organizations. The organization is established with the objectives of promoting a more resilient, inclusive and sustainable food systems in Ethiopia. One of the projects implemented by SWR is Resilient Agriculture for Inclusive and Sustainable Ethiopian Food Systems (RAISE FS).

RAISE FS project is a four year research for development program with a mission to leverage transformation in Ethiopian food systems covering the continuum from food insecure to the better –endowed households and regions in effort of realizing production surpluses, commodity commercialization, and food and nutritional security in a sustainable manner. The project will be implemented in partnership with the Federal MoA, regional BoA, Agricultural Research Institutes and universities.

The position

We are looking for an expert in sustainable agricultural production for an international Research for Food System Transformation programme. The candidate should have a good network in the agricultural/food system/sustainable production and knowledge of bringing innovation in such programmes. S/he will be part of a multidisciplinary programme team that works with multiple partners in the food system domain including Agricultural Research Institutes and Universities.

Key Responsibilities

• Responsible for guiding and monitoring activities on sustainable agricultural production both at federal as well as regional level targeted for demonstration of evidences of innovation;
• Responsible for supporting the design of research methodology appropriate to the programme along with proper documentation;
• Responsible for overseeing and supporting the activities in relation to sustainable production in the programme regions;
• Extracting lessons and recommendations for the whole programme on covering food system in high potential, food insecure and commercial production systems;
• Be the focal point for the high potential food system, gathering and documenting lessons learned in transformation of the high potential food systems;
• Producing briefs and reports etc. about the demonstrated evidences of innovation in the area of sustainable production and facilitate engagement for institutionalization;
• Document demonstrated evidences of innovations in areas sustainable production and facilitate their scaling up through engagement with relevant stakeholders including policy makers.

What we offer

Depending on candidate’s education and work experience, we offer a competitive salary as per the organization scale which is negotiable within the range of the salary scale assigned for the position. We also offer other benefit packages as per the internal HR manual.

Project:Resilient Agriculture for Inclusive and Sustainable Ethiopian food systems (RAISE-FS)

Duration: Four years, subject to annual renewal based on performance

Reports to: RAISE-FS Project Manager

The kind of person we are looking for

• A Sustainable Agricultural Production advisor with a proven track record in the agricultural and/or sustainable development sector. S/he has experience in working in the agricultural sector across the country engaging with smallholder farmers, commercial farms, producer organizations, and private sector companies, and regional and national public organization. Strong network with key stakeholders at federal and regional level and in depth understanding of recent developments and strategic orientations of policies and programmes working on topics such as digitalization, pluralistic extension, rural development etc. are expected to be part of what the advisor brings to the programme.

Education, Knowledge, and Skills Required

Minimum requirements:

• MSc in agronomy and related subjects.
• Minimum experienced of 7 years as senior sustainable agricultural production expert working in agricultural research for development organizations/projects
• Experience in a wide range of production related topics and agricultural transformation processes
• Responsible for overseeing the activities in relation to sustainable production in the regions
• Excellent writing skills, both academic as well as for outreach
• Networking (and lobbying) skills