Senior Project Officer II-Natural Resources Management Full Time NEW

ETHIOPIAN AGRICULTURAL TRANSFORMATION INSTITUTE (ATI)

Position: Senior Project Officer II-Natural Resources Management

Term of Employment: One year with possibility of extension

Duty Station: Hawassa, Ethiopia

Required Number: One

Application Deadline: February 14, 2026

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.

Job Summary

The Senior Project Officer II will manage and provide technical oversight of the provision, development and implementation of natural resources management (NRM) & climate-smart Agriculture (CSA) technologies and practices, and Climate information and advisory services components of the SATC ACC II project through the ACC approaches ensuring effective systems and processes are in place that support high-quality ACC programming work in serving smallholder farmers or pastoralists/agro-pastoralists.

Outcome 1: Effective Project Management (50%)

• Provide management, guidance, and technical oversight of the NRM & Climate Resilience across SATC NRM & CSA project cycle to ensure project design, start-up, implementation, and close-out are in line with ATI quality principles and standards, donor guidelines, and best practices.
• Oversee technical assistance and capacity strengthening activities in NRM & CSA technologies, practices and climate information for staff and partner organizations to enhance program quality and impact.
• Serve as the technical lead and technical writer to ensure quality proposals in NRM & CSA per ATI and donor standards. Contribute budgeting and staffing plans and activities for proposals.
• Lead the development of project learning – identify opportunities for learning and research, around NRM & CSA technologies and practices, and Climate information and advisory services components.
• Facilitate the dissemination of promising practices and lessons learned to contribute to the institute’s knowledge management agenda. Ensure integration of innovations and best NRM & CSA practices.
• Facilitate capacity building in the form of training, provision of equipment/tools and logistics for SATC-ACC II sites as they are centre of NRM & CSA promotion and scale out.
• Ensure Monitoring and evaluation of the project performance periodically.

Outcome 2: Ensure Effective Linkage and Coordination (30%)

• Oversee the identification, assessment and strengthening of partnerships relevant to NRM & CSA technologies, practices and climate information’s and the appropriate application of partnership concepts, tools and approaches.
• Coordinate activities, exchange information, and provide technical advice with regional cluster coordinators, to contribute to the achievement of overall project objectives.
• Work closely with project stakeholders and sub-grantees to coordinate a coherent and programmatic approach to assess and develop the NRM & CSA component of the SATC-ACC II NRM & CSA projects.
• Promote and increase stakeholder capacities in NRM & CSA solutions for smallholder farmers.
• Coordinate to identify and prioritize CSA gaps through climate risk analysis in SATC-ACC II woredas with stakeholders. Facilitate the validation workshops to validate NRM & CSA gaps and prepare validation workshop reports.

Outcome 3: Ensure effective Resource Management (5%)

• Commit in people development plan to ensure HO and regional offices are staffed with only high calibre staff.
• Ensure timely and appropriate project expenditures in line with financial plans and efficient use and of project material sources.

Outcome 4: Ensure Effective Communication (15%)

• Lead and manage on the delivery of the NRM & CSA components of the SATC-ACC II program including quality reporting and timely delivery of the project outcomes, outputs, and activities.
• Ensure that experiences and best practices of the NRM & CSA components of the SATC-ACC II program are documented and shared.

Required Qualification, Competencies and Experience:

Education:

• A minimum master’s degree in Soil Science, Natural Resources Management, Agronomy, Climate Change and Sustainable Agriculture, and other related fields.

Experience:

• A minimum of 8 years of practical experience in implementing Natural Resources Management, soil health and fertility management, irrigation and water management, and related projects. Further, the candidate should be able to demonstrate proven success through completed project portfolios or documented achievement showcases.

Technical competencies:

• Planning, implementing, and monitoring: Professional experience in project management, monitoring and evaluation.
• Building operation excellence:
  • Lead project staffs and ensure staff development plan.
    • Manage project budget and activities.
• Stakeholders’ Management:
  • Knowledge and understanding of various regional-level and federal-level institutions; extensive experience in facilitating dialogue with relevant public and NGO stakeholders.
    • Good experience of working in Federal, regional, and public or private sector sectors.
    • Excellent stakeholder management skills including thorough knowledge and understanding of various regional level and federal level organizations.
    • Other requirements ( Languages , Licensing or certifications)

English, Amharic and other local language skills are required

Having a certificate in project management (a plus)

Competent in utilizing essential computer applications