Senior Technical Expert II-Rangeland Ecology

Term of Employment:          One year with a possibility of extension

Duty Station(s):                    Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Required Number:               One

Application Deadline:          December 11, 2024

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 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 Technical Expert II -Rangeland Ecology will be accountable to livestock commercialization program and coordinates rangeland monitoring and evaluation study across the major pastoral and agro-pastoral (PAP) areas of the country; leads range ecology component of the study including range condition assessment. He/she will be responsible for identification and prioritization of major factors that affect the rangelands, and designing innovative solutions; ensures appropriate management practices of rangelands and the production of improved feeds while maintaining the environment. He/she will contribute to monitoring and evaluation system development, support design and implementation of specific interventions for rangeland improvement, production, and restoration. The Senior Technical Expert II – Rangeland Ecology will work closely with various stakeholders working on rangeland development at federal and regional levels.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES

Duties and responsibilities for the Senior Rangeland Ecology Technical Expert II include, but not limited to, the following:

• Support geo-spatial referencing and identification of locations and biophysical conditions of major rangeland sites of the PAP areas
• Lead the designing and selection of appropriate sites for monitoring and evaluation of rangelands following proper sampling techniques and identifying core monitoring indicators based on clearly defined selection criteria
• Undertake inventory of the rangeland resources using appropriate techniques and define the existing basic rangeland resource management and land uses in the sites identified
• Lead baseline assessment and diagnostic studies of rangelands as an input for designing rangeland monitoring and evaluation system.
• Leads the field organization and implementation of inventories of rangeland and natural resources of pastoral and agro-pastoral areas of Ethiopia
• Undertake study to assess rangeland condition and carrying capacity, identify gaps, and design innovative solutions to overcome the challenges.
• Contribute to a national database and a GIS and Satellite imagery based spatial and time sensitive rangeland monitoring and evaluation system
• Support the establishment of a national GIS capacity and a critical knowledge hub to accessing and using remotely sensed data such as NDVI data for land use planning, imagery interpretation, and running and operating of the monitoring system
• Review and analyze past and present status and health of major rangelands, and associated factors using retrospective data
• Assess the current livestock grazing systems, water harvesting and watering techniques and range management practices across the different seasons of the year
• Identify and document context based best practices from local and other countries for sustainable livestock grazing and rangeland management through benchmarking.
• Organize and facilitate stakeholders’ workshop for collaboration, knowledge dissemination and experience sharing and for restoration of rangeland management practices.
• Supervise and guide field data collectors on proper data collection and validation with stakeholders.
• Organize various reports such as monthly, quarterly and annual reports, guidelines, manuals and others as deemed necessary
• Coordinate the development of handbook on range monitoring and evaluation system.

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

• A minimum of Master of Science degree in rangeland ecology, range land management and other related fields studies and 8 years directly related  experience
• Deep understanding of Ethiopia’s agricultural sector, and specifically the livestock and rangelands of the pastoral and agro-pastoral system, with a broad perspective on how the entire system operates and how public, private, and nongovernment organizations operate in the system.
• An extensive network, and relationships with the key actors and service providers, both locally and internationally, within the rangeland management
• Expertise in planning, prioritizing, sequencing, managing, problem-solving and reporting on projects
• Practical experience in implementing solutions at the local level and the zeal to work with pastoral and agro-pastoral communities to improve their livelihoods
• Self-starter with strong motivation, ownership and commitment to deliver results
• Promotes data-driven and evidence-based problem solving and decision making
• Strong team player with an excellent relationship building and communication skills
• Desire to innovate and drive rapid change for pastoral and agro-pastoral communities and to the country at large.
• Strong set of personal values including integrity, honesty and desire to be of service
• Highly developed interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to relate to and gain the confidence of the senior leadership immediately.
• Proven leadership ability, with the skills to manage a team and influence other leaders across an organization through informal guidance, coaching and feedback.
• Ability to navigate complex and stressful situations
• Ability to challenge thinking and actions through open and honest conversations
• Ability to work effectively with the Regions and ensure timely data exchange between the Federal and Regional levels.
• Excellent experience in sampling techniques, use of statistical software, and Geographical Information System (GIS)
• Experience in monitoring project risks, supervising the implementation of risk mitigation measures and updating the risk and mitigation measures regularly.
• Ability to work in a team and take on constructive feedback without being overly sensitive.
• Ability to work under pressure and in a constantly evolving and challenging environment.
• Excellent analytical skills, and proficiency in computer and internet-based communication tools.
• Willingness to undertake frequent field visits.
• Excellent communication skills (both oral and written) in English and Amharic with the ability to create and deliver compelling presentations to diverse groups of stakeholders.

 

HOW TO APPLY

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

We invite all candidates meeting the required qualifications to send (i) a cover letter and (ii) a CV (maximum of three pages) at: http://apply.ata.gov.et

Also, please DO NOT submit certificates with scans on your application form.

Women are highly encouraged to apply.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.