Senior Project Officer II – Natural Resources Management & Climate Resilience

Term of Employment:                  One year with a possibility of extension

Duty Station(s):                              Assosa, Benishangul Gumuz Region

Required Number:                         One

Application Deadline:                   October 10, 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, Systems and capacities of the workforces. The ATI’s focuses on improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers, pastoralists, internally displaced people (IDPs), recovering people affected by conflict and other across the country for improved income, inclusiveness, resilience, and sustainability.

The ATI works to transform the agriculture and rural development in Ethiopia by conducting analytical studies in the policy and programmatic areas, piloting innovative agricultural technologies and systems, creating jobs to youth and women along the value chain providing technical implementation support, linking actors along the value-chains and attracting foreign direct investment who can work with cluster farmers, implementing problem based, inclusive and sustainable innovative projects and programs and building capacities of diverse players along the transformation continuum. The Institute joins forces with various stakeholders, like MoA and other affiliate Institutions of the Ministry, 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, learning opportunities and resources mobilization. The Institute plays a crucial role primarily in supporting agricultural policy and strategies development to drive transformation of agriculture and rural development; facilitate knowledge exchange, generating and disseminating information to support evidence-based policy formulation and decision-making and pilot innovative projects to be scaled nationwide.

OUR CULTURE

ATI brings together highly competent specialists to address some of the toughest challenges in agriculture and rural development and make transformation a practical reality. We work with clear insight and foresight analysis, measurable goals, making use of the unique strengths of our staff. 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 agricultural and rural transformation leading to structural changes of the sector. We expand our thinking, strengthen our capabilities, and redefine our roles to cover new settings to the extent possible fitting to national, continental and global dynamics. 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.

The ATI is committed to fostering a safe, respectful, inclusive, and equitable environment for its employees, farmers, partners, and all stakeholders. We maintain zero tolerance for any form of abuse, exploitation, harassment, discrimination, bullying, retaliation, or other harmful conduct. The Institute is dedicated to promoting equal opportunity, diversity, and inclusion by ensuring fair and respectful treatment regardless of gender, age, disability, ethnicity, religion, or other protected characteristics. We expect all employees, consultants, and partners to uphold ATI’s Safeguarding Policy, Code of Conduct, and related ethical standards in all interactions with colleagues, farmers, communities, and stakeholders. Successful candidates will be required to demonstrate commitment to these principles and to contribute to a workplace and service environment that protects the dignity, rights, safety, and well-being of all individuals.

There are many reasons to join us, but if you are seeking a dynamic and meaningful career whin a community of talented professionals with diverse expertise-collaborating to create real impact-ATI is the right place for you.

Outcome 1: Technical Leadership and project management (60%)

• Provide high level technical/expertise support to the NRM & Climate Resilience activities in the region.
• Ensure effective technical and financial planning (annual, quarter, monthly) for NRM & Climate Resilience activities of the region.
• Support project management in accordance with project documents, work plans and budgets and ensure that the work is delivered in consistent with the project implementation document.
• Coordinate and manage implementation of p NRM & Climate Resilience activities within the context of agricultural commercialization initiative.
• Ensure all prioritized interventions of the NRM & Climate Resilience project are successfully implemented following the respective commodities commercialization clustering approach and provide support to achieve the objective of the project.
• Closely support and work with other ATI program and project teams on crop and livestock commercialization activities in the region.
• Identify and analyse critical technical issues related to the design and implementation of the project and recommend solutions.
• Provide capacity development and advisory services to actors and project beneficiaries at different levels in the region.
• Provide high-quality technical support NRM & Climate Resilience activities through practical demonstrations, introduction of good production practices and technologies, and experience sharing.
• Monitor the progress and evaluate performance of the NRM & Climate Resilience projects and ensure delivery of high-quality report timely.
• Ensure Gender, and Nutrition are properly mainstreamed in the project interventions.
• Ensure effective communication among relevant stakeholders.
• Undertake any other duties as assigned by the supervisors.

Outcome 2: Ensure effective teamwork and coordination (15%)

• Effectively manage programmatic as well operational component of the projects
• Represent NRM & Climate Resilience projects in various internal and external forums in the region.
• Develop Terms of References (ToR’s), organize logistics and facilitate workshops, trainings, field days and other events on prioritized NRM & Climate Resilience activities.
• Ensure effective collaboration and teamwork with other ATI program and project teams in the region.

Outcome 3: Stakeholder engagement (10%)

• Map NRM & Climate Resilience stakeholders including the private sector and create linkage for effective and efficient project implementation.
• Facilitate stakeholder forums, business, and market linkages, and create linkage with sectoral associations.
• Proactively engage with internal and external partners to identify major bottlenecks and recommend solutions for joint implementation.
• Liaise with project staff, team leads and the NRM & Climate Resilience Director at HQ for effective and efficient implementation of the projects.
• Ensure smooth working relationship with project beneficiaries, the private sectors and other stakeholders.

Outcome 4: Ensure effective communication and Representation (15%)

• Provide effective, timely and regular reporting to the project team leads and the program director as well as the Regional Program Manager on programmatic and operational issues.
• Ensure effective regular communication and reporting with internal and external partners.

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

• Minimum master’s degree in Natural Resources Management, Soil Science, Climate Change and Sustainable Agriculture, Agronomy, and other related fields.
• At least 8 years of practical experience in implementing Natural Resources Management, soil health and fertility management, irrigation and water management, and related projects. Further, the candidate should be able to demonstrate proven success through completed project portfolios or documented achievement showcases.

Technical competencies:

• Planning, implementing, and monitoring: Planning, implementation and monitoring of NRM & Climate Resilience Program tasks and efficient resource management.
• Knowledge and experience on NRM & Climate Resilience with strong skills in supporting commercialization.
• Agricultural system – Understanding of Ethiopia’s agriculture sector, with a broad perspective on how the entire system operates and how public, private and informal actors operate within the system.
• Agribusiness development & Management – Practical experience in business planning, linkages between producers and markets and working across NRM & Climate Resilience related value chains in Ethiopia.
• Project Management Cycle – Experience with project design, performance management, learning systems and monitoring & evaluation.
• Data management and analyses – good data management and analytical skills
• Delivery of impactful interventions – Practical experience in implementing NRM & Climate Resilience interventions to address systemic bottlenecks.

Other requirements

• Competent in utilizing essential computer applications.
• Proficiency in oral and written English and Amharic language and other local language skills.
• Having a certificate in project management (a plus).

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.