Job Description
Reporting Unit/Supervisor: Partners in Food Solutions (PFS) Programs Director
Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Travel: International up to 15%, domestic up to 35%,
I. TECHNOSERVE BACKGROUND:
TechnoServe works with enterprising people in the developing world to build competitive farms, businesses and industries. We are a nonprofit organization that develops business solutions to poverty by linking people to information, capital and markets. Our work is rooted in the idea that given the opportunity, hardworking men and women in even the poorest places can generate income, jobs and wealth for their families and communities. With more than four decades of proven results, we believe in the power of private enterprise to transform lives.
II. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:
TechnoServe seeks a Program Manager (PM) for an existing USAID-funded alliance for improved wheat processing in Ethiopia. This program is implemented in partnership with Partners in Food Solutions (PFS), a collection of some of the world’s leading food companies lending their expertise to support technology transfer to African food processors. The overall goal of the program is to increase the availability of nutritious wheat based products to the Ethiopian population. The objective is to improve the capacity of wheat processors to improve quality, nutrition and availability of wheat based products; with a primary emphasis on supporting the Government of Ethiopia’s push towards eventual mandating of fortified flours. TechnoServe and PFS replicate a delivery model they are already implementing in other African countries.
This position is based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with internal travel and occasional regional travel. The PM will liaise closely with the broader regional team within the TechnoServe/PFS alliance and will also work closely with the local USAID mission and other key stakeholders in the wheat value chain.
III. POSITION DESCRIPTION:
- Provide guidance and oversight to field teams across the country, including food technology specialists, business advisors, M&E team, finance and admin staff
- Ensure program is implemented with sound managerial, technical, financial, human resources, and overall programmatic practices and are in adherence with USAID rules and regulations
- Ensure robust monitoring, evaluation and reporting
- Ensure familiarization with the program, partners, beneficiaries, key stakeholders and delivery model
- Provide seamless transition of program management from outgoing PM, ensuring continued program delivery and defining a clear work plan
- Represent the program to key partners
- Liaise with USAID, the Ministry of Industries, FMHACA and other key stakeholders to ensure alignment and to represent the program’s interests
- Liaise with other PFS/TNS programs in the region and participate in knowledge sharing activities
- Manage the program budget, ensure compliance, reporting and the budget remains on target
- Produce narrative and financial reports for internal and external consumption;
- Ensure that all processes and activities adhere to corporate policy, legal and contractual obligations, and corporate and donor standards;
- Ensure that program targets are achieved;
- Participate in strategic discussions on program design, evolution and future growth opportunities
IV. REQUIRED SKILLS & EXPERIENCE:
- Advanced degree in Agricultural Economics, Business Administration or other relevant field
- At least 5 years relevant project management experience (e.g., international SME development programs, USAID project management, private sector agro-processing)
- Experience living and working in sub-Saharan Africa (Ethiopia experience preferred)
- Strong market orientation, entrepreneurial and innovative thinker
- Experience leading and managing high caliber multicultural teams, preferably some experience with managing remotely (e.g. field-based teams)
- Previous successful experience mentoring and building capacity of staff
- Results-oriented, with demonstrated experience in achieving project targets
- Experience managing complex, multi-disciplinary, and challenging field operations in developing countries, Africa preferred
- Demonstrated skills in problem solving, consensus building, and coordination of diverse stakeholders
- Knowledge of USAID regulations and procedures
- Verbal and written fluency in English; Amharic an additional advantage
- Demonstrated capacity to produce high quality reports and proposals
V. APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
Qualified and interested applicants should submit a single Word-formatted document consisting of cover letter, resume and salary history to jobs@tns.org. Please identify the position for which you are applying in the subject line. Only applicants meeting minimum qualifications will be considered or contacted. No phone calls please.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER OF MINORITIES, FEMALES, PROTECTED VETERANS, AND INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES
About the Organization
I. TECHNOSERVE BACKGROUND:
TechnoServe works with enterprising people in the developing world to build competitive farms, businesses and industries. We are a nonprofit organization that develops business solutions to poverty by linking people to information, capital and markets. Our work is rooted in the idea that given the opportunity, hardworking men and women in even the poorest places can generate income, jobs and wealth for their families and communities. With more than four decades of proven results, we believe in the power of private enterprise to transform lives.
