Country: Ethiopia
Closing date: 28 Dec 2017
Vacancy Announcement
ETHIOPIAN AGRICULTURAL TRANSFORMATION AGENCY
Position: Director, Analytics Team
Term of Employment: Two years with possibility of extension
Duty Station(s): Addis Ababa
Required Number: One
Salary & Benefits: Competitive
Application Deadline: Dec 28, 2017
BACKGROUND:
The Agricultural Transformation Agency (ATA) has been established by the Government of Ethiopia (GoE) to identify and address systemic bottlenecks to Ethiopia’s agricultural development. The Agency does this through problem-solving, implementation support to partners, managing and leading projects, and coordinating and linking institutions.The programmatic focus of the Agency responds to a core set of needs identified by the Agricultural Transformation Council, chaired by the Prime Minister, and focused in the areas of crops and natural resources, livestock, agribusiness and markets, and cross-cutting issues.
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 team work to achieve excellent results. At ATA, we provide an exceptional platform for people who want to achieve their highest potential and make ameaningfulcontribution 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.
ABOUT THE TEAM:
As the ATA’s strategic advisory and consulting function, the Analytics Team works with Senior Directors and Directors across the organization, as well as senior leadership at key government, development and private sector partners, to execute high-impact, analytically challenging assignments. The team applies an approach similar to top strategy consulting firms and government strategy units in a number of countries, to support these partners to more effectively bring together the strategic, analytical, technical and operational capabilities required to support agricultural transformation. Engagement with internal and external partners typically falls into one of six areas: strategy development and strategic planning, design of innovative pilot or scale-up projects, policy and regulatory analysis, institutional and organizational enhancement, business model and business case development, and capacity building programs.
The Analytics Team consists of a Director, Principals, Case Team Leaders, Senior Analysts and Analysts, and Data Management and GIS experts, totaling ~45 staff. International staff are recruited into Analytics at the Director, Principal and Case Team Leader levels to support the build out of the team’s full structure, and work closely with local staff day-to-day to accelerate their development and progression into more senior roles.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Director of the Analytics Team leads the growth, development and effective functioning of the team as a provider of best-in-class strategic advisory and consulting services to senior internal and external clients. He or she oversees planning and execution of a diverse portfolio of strategic and analytically-focused cases, relationship management with senior internal and external clients and stakeholders, and rapid team development. The role also involves further building out and refining the team’s operating model, management structure, and support systems and processes, including establishing dedicated Policy and Data Management & GIS units within the team.
The successful candidate will have significant experience leading and delivering high-impact, challenging engagement for senior clients across government, private-sector, and development organizations, and building and managing high-performance teams. Specific experience in agriculture and/or economic development initiatives in developing countries is desirable, as is a clear passion for improving the lives of smallholder farmers.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
• Lead and refine the strategy for Analytics team engagement with ATA teams and external partners
• Oversee planning and execution of diverse, strategic and analytically-focused high impact cases, including effective relationship building and partnership with internal and external clients
• Develop and manage overall team work plans based on case planning and prioritization with ATA senior management, and ensure the timeliness, analytical rigor, practicality and quality of outputs
• Lead engagement and relationship management with more senior stakeholders, and support Principals and case teams in internal and external steering committees and workshops
• Provide day-to-day guidance, coaching, feedback and quality control support to Principals overseeing multiple client engagements, Data & GIS Manager, and other direct reports
• Establish a dedicated Policy Unit including building internal capacity for policy work within the team, procurement, management and quality control of analytical studies commissioned to external services providers globally, and engagement with development partners
• Establish a dedicated Data & GIS Unit, including roll out and ongoing support of data management, visualization and GIS technology solutions, capacity building and high-quality service provision to other teams at ATA
• Ensure rapid staff development, and lead ATA's efforts to provide analytical capacity-building internally and to key partners
• Participate and lead discussions with ATA teams and external partner teams, to socialize the role and working modalities of the Analytics team and secure buy-in
• Continuously enhance team and project management, budgeting and financial management, recruiting, staffing, team health, team building, performance management, training and professional development, knowledge management, and other critical systems, processes and initiatives as needed to ensure the effective and efficient functioning of the team
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field from a reputable university required; MBA, MPA or Master's Degree in a relevant field from a reputable university preferred
• At least ten years (for Bachelor’ Degree) / eight years (for Master’s Degree) of international experience required in a top-tier global strategy consulting firm or other organizations in strategy and analysis focused roles
• At least two years of experience required at a managerial level in a strategy consulting setting, including leading, structuring and managing cases with a range of junior/senior and internal/external clients and stakeholders, with some experience managing across multiple cases and client relationships at the same time
• Demonstrated interest and experience in the development sector or public sector, including policy analysis, data management, visualization and GIS, preferred
• Experience working or living in a developing country preferred
• Highly structured critical thinker that moves easily between the big picture and details
• Exceptional ability to communicate clearly and effectively in a complex, cross-cultural environment, including the ability to effectively liaise with senior decision-makers across government, non-governmental and private sector organizations
• Highly collaborative leadership style and demonstrated success in leading, managing and developing high-performance teams, including a clear passion and talent for training, coaching, and capacity building
• Strong set of personal values including integrity, honesty and desire to be of service
• Fluency in English required
How to apply:
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
We invite all candidates meeting the required qualifications to send (i) a cover letter, (ii) CV (maximum 5 pages), and (iii) a completed ATA Application Form athttp://apply.ata.gov.et
Women are highly encouraged to apply.
NB. Only short listed candidates will be contacted.