Project Summary:
ABS Global (ABS) has awarded a sub-grant to Land O’Lakes Venture37 (Venture37) to implement the Sustainable Commercialization of Sexed Dairy Genetics in East Africa program activities through a two and a half-year implementation period from May 2023 to December 2025. ABS and Venture37 will reach the program goal of establishing a commercially viable sexed semen market that will inclusively grow the competitiveness of the dairy market by 1) increasing small scale producer (SSP) demand and willingness to pay for sexed semen; 2) improving last-mile delivery of AI of sexed semen to SSPs; and 3) improving the enabling environment to establish a commercial market.
Venture37’s role will be to build awareness and capacity of SSPs of sexed semen, strengthen AI technicians’ skills and reach and access to necessary inputs and infrastructure to administer the sexed semen. Notably, this project will work to improve market access for women SSPs and AI technicians and build off previous work with the Gates Foundation, the Private-Public Partnership for AI Delivery project.
Position Summary:
The National Coordinator (NC) will have in-country, day-to-day oversight of activities through the first 30-months of the program. In addition to overseeing a small in-country team, the National Coordinator will leverage Venture37’s 25+ years of partnerships in Ethiopia to create coordination platforms. The NC will be responsible for coordinating all public-private sector relationships for the ABS program in Ethiopia. This position is responsible for the overall private sector engagement function, including private sector elements of ABS engagement in multi-stakeholder platforms and corresponding due diligence, and will be accountable for close coordination with local and government partners. The NC will maintain regular communications with key partners and identify opportunities for closer collaboration and strong coordination. This will be with both the public and private sectors in the targeted woredas. Key duties include taking ownership of working directly with the Group Director, Technical Impact and Innovation to establish annual strategies and budgets. They will also provide technical leadership to all proposed activities, including overseeing the project’s gender action plan.
Reporting & Supervision:
- The National Coordinator will report to the Group Director, Technical Impact and Innovation
- This position will have four direct reports: Artificial Insemination Advisor, Data Analyst, Accountant, and the Gender and Youth Inclusion Specialist
- Overseeing work planning and project implementation as well as technical guidance, overall management, monitoring, evaluation and reporting of project indicators to Land O’Lakes Venture 37 and donor organization, with a focus on gender integration.
- Effective planning and achievement of project goals and targets, within budget, and planned scope.
- Provide management and oversight of program operations, including financial, administration, logistics, procurement, property, human resources and database management.
- Ensure compliance donor rules and regulations as well as policies and regulations of Land O’Lakes Venture37
- Ensure close collaboration and coordination with cooperating partners to guarantee smooth implementation of activities and achievement of results as specified in agreements. Play the lead role in communication with in-country program sub-awardees and partners.
- Coordinate with government institutions and public and private technical experts to facilitate the development of updated training curriculums and programs that ensure that the gender inclusiveness goals of the project are met
- Work closely with the Data Analyst to ensure specific indicators for measuring gender inclusiveness are in all implementation activities and that data is being collected as a part of the Performance Measure Plan.
- Facilitate full integration of gender sensitive approaches throughout program implementation, working with the GESI Specialist and US-based GYSI Advisor to ensure inclusive program implementation.
- Work with business development team to develop new business opportunities to further deepen impact within Ethiopia and the region
- Travel to implementation areas as needed to support the above activities.
- Any other duties as assigned.
- Degree in agricultural economics, agricultural extension, livestock/dairy development or relevant with at least 8 years relevant experience managing agricultural development projects. Post graduate degreed is desirable.
- Previous experience managing donor-funded development projects.
- Demonstrated expertise in agricultural business management (livestock production / dairy) through engaging smaller farmers
- Demonstrated experience and success in leading, supervising, coaching and developing others
- Ability to coordinate, collaborate, and negotiate with host government officials, NGOs, sub-grantees in implementing project activities
- Excellent verbal and written (English) communication skills with the ability to dialogue, network, and negotiate with funding organizations, community groups, private sector organizations and local governments
- Proven financial management and budgeting skills
- Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office and Excel
