Description

Why RTIRTI International is an independent, scientific research institute dedicated to improving the human condition. Our vision is to address the world's most critical problems with technical and science-based solutions in pursuit of a better future. Clients rely on us to answer questions that demand an objective and multidisciplinary approach—one that integrates expertise across social, statistical, data, and laboratory sciences, engineering, and other technical disciplines to solve the world’s most challenging problems.We believe in the promise of science and technical solutions, and we push ourselves every day to deliver on that promise for the good of people, communities, and businesses in the US and around the world. If you are looking for the opportunity to make a real difference, RTI is the place for you. About the Hiring GroupRTI’s Center for International Development implements large-scale, multidisciplinary projects across health, energy, agriculture, water, and education by leveraging RTI’s deep cross-Institutional knowledge, proven solutions, and contextual expertise to increase global impact by improving lives, driving economic growth, and enhancing stability in fragile and developing geographies. What You'll DoRTI is seeking Deputy Chief of Party candidates for a 5-year U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food for Progress (FFPr) program in Ethiopia. This Food for Progress program will use a market driven, U.S.-led value chain approach to transform Ethiopia’s sunflower sector and benefit U.S. businesses by addressing key productivity, market linkage, financing, and policy constraints identified by public and private actors. The program will focus on four broad activities that increase Ethiopian sunflower productivity, competitiveness and value addition while reducing trade barriers for U.S. agribusiness. This includes building the capacity of pluralistic extension services; financial services; market access through contract farming; and promoting improved policy and regulatory frameworks. The Deputy Chief of Party will support the COP by overseeing all technical activities and building and maintaining collaborative relationships with key agricultural stakeholders. This position will be based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and report to the Chief of Party. Primary responsibilities include: Lead all technical activities for the project with the objective of increasing sunflower production, mechanization, seed multiplication, successful contract farming, and innovative agricultural finance. Provide a high level of management across the scope of the activity to ensure effective organization of staff, partners and grantees. Assist the COP and senior management team in building and maintaining collaborative relationships with GOE officials and institutions, private sector partners, USDA, and other stakeholders. Contribute to the development of annual work plans, technical reports, and other deliverables in line with FFPr guidelines to achieve program objectives. Establish network of private sector partners and coordinate with them to achieve sustainable growth in agribusiness, food markets, and support services with small holder farmers. Manage a network of regional technical teams across multiple locations to implement the work plan and ensure timely delivery of tangible results and impact. Manage project activities across technical, geographic, and cross-sectoral areas. Monitor performance and timeliness of activities and implement corrective actions as needed. Coordinate and collaborate with other donor-funded projects to share experience and leverage their specific experience and community outreach. In coordination with the grants manager and senior leadership, design market-oriented grant strategies and assess the technical capacity and performance of selected partners. Liaise with USDA to inform and discuss the technical performance of the project and identify opportunities for further growth in project scale and impact. Serve as the Acting COP as needed. What You'll NeedBachelor’s degree with 12 years of experience in agriculture, agribusiness, or food systems/value chain development or related projects or Master’s degree with 10 years of experience agriculture, agribusiness, food systems/value chain development or related projects. Experience with trade desirable. Minimum 5 years’ experience in managing or supporting donor-funded agricultural value chain or agribusiness development programs in a leadership role. Prior experience as COP, DCOP, or similar position managing a team of 10 or more staff in a complex, multidisciplinary activity preferred. Technical expertise in agriculture, agribusiness, trade, or food systems/ value chain development in Ethiopia required. Experience working with or in the private sector desirable. Demonstrated understanding of Ethiopian agribusinesses and in leading private sector engagement approaches. Demonstrated skills in building, mobilizing, and leading multi-disciplinary teams. Experience interacting with USG agencies, host country governments, private sector, NGOs, and other relevant stakeholders. Verbal and written fluency in English required. Ability to travel and work throughout Ethiopia in difficult terrain/conditions at times. This position is not eligible for international allowances. Ethiopian local nationals are encouraged to apply

Responsibilities

RTI is seeking Deputy Chief of Party candidates for a 5-year U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food for Progress (FFPr) program in Ethiopia. This Food for Progress program will use a market driven, U.S.-led value chain approach to transform Ethiopia’s sunflower sector and benefit U.S. businesses by addressing key productivity, market linkage, financing, and policy constraints identified by public and private actors. The program will focus on four broad activities that increase Ethiopian sunflower productivity, competitiveness and value addition while reducing trade barriers for U.S. agribusiness. This includes building the capacity of pluralistic extension services; financial services; market access through contract farming; and promoting improved policy and regulatory frameworks. The Deputy Chief of Party will support the COP by overseeing all technical activities and building and maintaining collaborative relationships with key agricultural stakeholders. This position will be based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and report to the Chief of Party. Primary responsibilities include: Lead all technical activities for the project with the objective of increasing sunflower production, mechanization, seed multiplication, successful contract farming, and innovative agricultural finance. Provide a high level of management across the scope of the activity to ensure effective organization of staff, partners and grantees. Assist the COP and senior management team in building and maintaining collaborative relationships with GOE officials and institutions, private sector partners, USDA, and other stakeholders. Contribute to the development of annual work plans, technical reports, and other deliverables in line with FFPr guidelines to achieve program objectives. Establish network of private sector partners and coordinate with them to achieve sustainable growth in agribusiness, food markets, and support services with small holder farmers. Manage a network of regional technical teams across multiple locations to implement the work plan and ensure timely delivery of tangible results and impact. Manage project activities across technical, geographic, and cross-sectoral areas. Monitor performance and timeliness of activities and implement corrective actions as needed. Coordinate and collaborate with other donor-funded projects to share experience and leverage their specific experience and community outreach. In coordination with the grants manager and senior leadership, design market-oriented grant strategies and assess the technical capacity and performance of selected partners. Liaise with USDA to inform and discuss the technical performance of the project and identify opportunities for further growth in project scale and impact. Serve as the Acting COP as needed

Qualification

Bachelor’s degree with 12 years of experience in agriculture, agribusiness, or food systems/value chain development or related projects or Master’s degree with 10 years of experience agriculture, agribusiness, food systems/value chain development or related projects. Experience with trade desirable. Minimum 5 years’ experience in managing or supporting donor-funded agricultural value chain or agribusiness development programs in a leadership role. Prior experience as COP, DCOP, or similar position managing a team of 10 or more staff in a complex, multidisciplinary activity preferred. Technical expertise in agriculture, agribusiness, trade, or food systems/ value chain development in Ethiopia required. Experience working with or in the private sector desirable. Demonstrated understanding of Ethiopian agribusinesses and in leading private sector engagement approaches. Demonstrated skills in building, mobilizing, and leading multi-disciplinary teams. Experience interacting with USG agencies, host country governments, private sector, NGOs, and other relevant stakeholders. Verbal and written fluency in English required. Ability to travel and work throughout Ethiopia in difficult terrain/conditions at times. This position is not eligible for international allowances. Ethiopian local nationals are encouraged to apply