About Alive & Thrive (A&T)

Alive & Thrive (A&T) is an initiative to save lives, prevent illness, and ensure healthy growth and development through optimal adolescent, maternal, infant, and young child feeding and caring practices.

Since 2009, A&T is working in Ethiopia within the context of the National Nutrition Program (NNP) and the National Nutrition-Sensitive Agriculture Strategy (NNSAS) to promote maternal, infant, and young child nutrition (MIYCN) across multiple sectors at the federal, regional, woreda, and community levels.

A&T Ethiopia 3.0 (2018-2022) has been working in partnership with the GOE and others to strengthen multi-sector food and nutrition coordination by supporting the regional Food system and Nutrition Coordinating Offices.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has granted Alive & Thrive a Multi-sector Nutrition Governance & Leadership Strengthening in Ethiopia to enhance technical and human resource capabilities to support the Ethiopia Food System roadmap, the Food & Nutrition Strategy (FNS), and Seqota Declaration (SD) expansion phase plans coordination and implementation at national and regional levels.

As part of its systems strengthening and capacity building initiative, A&T has planned to support the Government of Ethiopia for the implementation of the Ethiopian food system road map and food and nutrition strategy at national and regional levels through hiring the regional food system transformation multi-sector nutrition and/MEL Advisors.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Regional Food Systems Advisor will be based in the regional president’s office to work under the guidance of the regional president’s advisor for food system & nutrition and will be responsible for the food system agenda. He/she will have functional responsibility to the National Senior Food system and agriculture advisor, Alive & Thrive Ethiopia based at the MOA, Addis Ababa. In a harmonized manner with the region's action plans, the Regional Food Systems Advisor will also work closely with the regional multi-sector nutrition Advisor based in the regional president’s office and other food systems implementing partners to ensure the regional multi-sectoral EFS and nutrition coordination.

The Regional Food Systems Advisor will provide hands-on technical support and coaching to the members of the food and nutrition directorates/offices, food and nutrition focal persons of the NSA, and relevant actors and stakeholders of EFS in the region to effectively plan, and budget for, and implement food systems. The regional food system Advisor will help the region to identify low-performing directorates in the regional agriculture bureau and other relevant bureaus and provide them with the on-the-job technical support they need to strengthen the food system in their bureaus. This could include strengthening their competencies, support systems, or work environment. The regional-food system Advisor will be working very closely with the regional president advisor and the multi-sector nutrition advisor.

Essential Job Functions/Roles and Responsibilities:

1. Support in assessments and planning

• Support mainly the regional food system-relevant entities to develop food system action plans that are tailored to the findings of the comprehensive capacity assessment done for each region
• Ensure that developed action plans are clearly monitored and followed up to identify progress against a set target

2. Support in capacity building and institutional development

• Based on the regional annual action plans, build the capacity of the staff in the region to ensure that the region has budgeted for food systems-related activities in their decentralized annual work plans
• Support strengthening of nutrition structure in the Bureau of Agriculture by advocating for the placement of food science professionals and nutritionists and support enhancing their competencies on the agri-food system through coaching, on-the-job training, mentoring of junior staff, and ensuring access to relevant information and other online help.
• Support various directorates in the relevant bureaus to implement effective food systems in general and agrifood systems in particular programs that are aligned with and promote operationalizing the food systems roadmap in context-specific interventions for increased productivity and access to diverse, safe nutrient-dense foods, and their consumption among women and children by maintaining the environmental health and social inclusion.
• Harmonized with the bureau’s plans, and organized field visits and exchanges in the regions to facilitate cross-sectoral planning and learning around the implementation of agri-food activities.

3. Support in the strategic use of data

• Support the relevant bureaus’ work in the adaptation of the -food systems monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework
• Support in refining the M&E framework of the food systems roadmap and enhancing the functionality of regional data platforms
• Build the capacity of the nutrition structure in monitoring agri-food systems interventions using program impact pathways that link agriculture to food security and nutrition as well as poverty reduction

4. Support the regional FSN council establishment

• Works closely with the regional president’s office, regional health bureau, and other FNS sectors in the regional multi-sector coordination.
• Supports the transition of partner-supported coordination to the government-budgeted structure.

Competencies:

Technical Expertise:

• Specialist knowledge in the areas of agri-food systems and program management
• Theoretical and practical knowledge of healthy diets within the food system roadmap and FNS

Knowledge Management and Learning:

• Shares knowledge and experience
• Ability to provide top-quality expertise on food systems
• In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

• Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management, and reporting
• Ability to go beyond established procedures and models, and propose new approaches, which expand the range of programs
• Ability to work with minimal supervision
• Negotiation skills: the capacity to work with diverse partners including local Government, development partners, and civil society.

Project Design Implementation:

• Implements established project design.
• Tracks project indicators and produces reports for others to act upon.
• Assists with implementing components of the technical portions of the project plan.
• Identifies and raises issues to senior technical staff.
• Conducts analysis of project implementation to identify areas for improvement and propose appropriate technical strategy and guidelines
• Tracks project indicators and produces reports for others to act upon.
• Responds to technical requests and inquiries from internal and external staff.

Business Development and Client/Funder Support:

• Drafts the technical portions of proposals and project design, based on the design and direction set by technical leadership
• Prepares documentation for final authorization and approval of the technical portions of proposals and project design, based on the design and direction set by technical leadership
• Assists with developing the technical portions of proposals and project design
• Collects data for inclusion in proposals
• Assists with proposal research
• Assists with developing proposal strategies
• Participate in business development meetings with partners and clients.
• Participate in client / funder meetings.

Operations Management (Finance, HR, etc.):

• Ensures project activities are on track with work plans, with technical expertise informing project implementation.
• Collects financial and technical tracking data; prepares reports.
• Coordinates with suppliers for procurements; develops procurement terms of reference.

Project/Program Reporting:

• Maintains database of project indicators and activities.
• Assists with collecting data for inclusion in client reports.
• Assists with compiling and creating technical content (e.g., reports, presentations, manuscripts).
• Assists with publications, web pages, and presentations.
• Develops or writes technical briefs, reports, or other necessary materials to facilitate, best practices, policies, and procedures.
• Prepares technical reports and papers summarizing results.

Quality Assurance:

• Develops broader knowledge of quality standards through formalized system that documents processes, procedures, and responsibilities for achieving quality policies and objectives.
• Helps coordinate and direct activities to meet client/funder and regulatory requirements.

Applied Knowledge & Skills:

• Moderate knowledge of concepts, practices, and procedures by providing technical support for research studies.
• Development of scope of work and deliverables for partners, consultants, etc.
• Proficiency with database management software and on-line search tools required.
• Has sensitivity to cultural diversity and understanding of the political, contextual, and ethical issues in assigned areas.
• Articulate, professional and able to communicate in a clear, positive manner with clients and staff.
• Must be able to read, write, and speak fluent English.
• Excellent organizational and analytical skills.
• Demonstrated proficiency with using Microsoft Office Suite required.
• Ability to analyze and interpret data, identify errors, and prepare reports.
• Ability to solve problems and implement corrective action as needed.

Competencies:

There are 31 FHI 360 development competencies, of greatest focus for this particular job will be:

• Project Management (Planning and Time Management) - Accurately scopes out length and difficulty of tasks (sets objectives/goals/measures). Breaks down work into steps, schedules, task/people assignments. Marshals people, time, and resource efficiently. Arranges information in a useful manner and orchestrates multiple activities at once.
• People Management (Making Others Great) – Facilitate professional development of staff by providing challenging, learning assignments and opportunities. Shares and solicits feedback monthly at the very least. Helps establish compelling development plans. Assigns responsibility and accountability for tasks/decisions. Monitors process, progress, and results. Creates a climate in which people want to do their best.
• Creating and Managing Systems and Processes – Recognizes the need for standardization and balances client and organization need in systems design. Anticipates the effects of process change on people while optimizing task efficiency and simplicity.
• Employees are expected to possess or have high potential for development of these three fundamental competencies.

Problem Solving & Impact:

• Works on problems of moderate to complex scope that require review of various factors.
• Exercises good judgment with selecting methods and techniques to determine appropriate action.
• Decisions may cause delays and affect a work unit or area within a department.
• Identifies and raises issues to senior technical staff
• Networks with key internal and external personnel.
• Decision may cause delays or failure to achieve results that impact departmental goals.

Supervision Given/Received:

• Has no supervisory responsibility.
• Receives methods and procedures on new projects and assignments.
• May provide guidance to other lower-level staff.
• Typically reports to an Associate Director or Director.

Education: **

• Master’s Degree or above in Food (science, technology, engineering), Agricultural Sciences (Plant Sciences, Animal sciences), Agricultural Economics, Rural Development, Livelihoods, or a closely related discipline.

Experience: **

• At least 7 years of relevant technical and managerial experience working in the field of food and agriculture systems and/or livelihoods.
• Experience working with the government, especially with BOA is highly required.
• Experience working under the National Nutrition Program framework; ability to work well with different leaders of the food and agriculture system, and at the community level.
• Experience in program planning and management with an emphasis on managing for results.
• Demonstrated ability in organizing supportive supervision and review meetings with government stakeholders and partners.
• Proven experience in monitoring and reporting on activities.

Typical Physical Demands:

• Typical office environment.
• Ability to spend long hours looking at computer screen and doing repetitive work on a keyboard.
• Ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time.
• Ability to lift/move up to 5 lbs.

Technology to be Used:

• Personal Computer/Laptop, Microsoft applications (i.e., Office 365, SharePoint, Skype/Zoom/Teams), cell phone/mobile technology, and standard office equipment.

Travel Requirements:

• 10% - 25%

Date Revised: 09/13/2021

This job posting summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.

FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer whereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.

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