Background

The Agricultural sector has the greatest potential for improving rural livelihood and eradicating poverty and is the cornerstone of Ethiopia’s medium term strategy - the Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP). By the end of the GTP period, the government seeks to double yields of smallholder farmers largely by scaling-up best practices, producing high value crops, expanding irrigation development and promoting natural resource conservation. A substantial increase in agricultural yield and output is expected to be realized by implementing interventions aimed at speeding-up the assimilation and adoption of improved agricultural technology and management practices of the most productive “model farmer” to the less productive smallholder farmers. Recent studies show that the impact of these strategies on productivity and production targets while are generally achievable, the country needs to adopt more cost-effective, innovative and modern approaches to innovative agricultural systems. These approaches have been designed and implemented in selected countries in Africa and Asia to increase production and productivity of smallholder farmers with notable success. Ethiopia can draw on these experiences to develop and utilize ICT-based innovative approaches to implement robust strategies and intervention to transform its agricultural sector and double production and productivity of smallholder farmers as envisaged in the GTP.

For detailed information, please refer to Annex I- Terms of Reference (ToR).

Duties and Responsibilities

The National Consultant is expected to work with the Lead Consultant and Technical Consultant (recruited by UNDP for the same purpose). The National Consultant shall have the responsibility for the completion and delivery of outputs under this ToR. S/he is expected to work on a range of activities in support of the development of the comprehensive project document. The roles of the various experts to be contracted for this assignment including the Lead Consultant have been described in the TOR.

For detailed information, please refer to Annex I- Terms of Reference (ToR).

Competencies

  • Extensive knowledge in the Agriculture sector and interpret the concept of the project  and translate those into technical requirements;
  • Ability to apply sound judgment in the context of assignments given, and work under pressure;
  • Shows persistence and remains calm in stressful situations;
  • Shows pride in work and achievements, demonstrates professional competence and mastery of the subject matter;
  • Responds positively to feedback and different points of view;
  • Conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results;
  • Capacity to communicate fluently with different stakeholders (civil society, government authorities, local communities, project staff);
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
  • Highest standards of integrity, discretion and loyalty.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications:

  • At least Master’s degree in Economics, Agricultural Economics, or related field.

Years of experience:

  • A minimum of ten years of relevant work experience after achieving higher degree in the above mentioned fields out of which at least four years are in the agricultural sector;
  • Proven experience in conducting research in Agriculture;
  • Experience in programme and project formulation experience in UN programme formulation, in Ethiopia, is an asset;
  • Experience in UN or other International organizations will be considered as an asset.;
  • Computer skills:  Full command of Microsoft applications (word, excel, PowerPoint) and common internet applications will be required.

Language skills:          

  • Excellent knowledge of English, including the ability to set out a coherent argument in presentations and group interactions;

Application Instruction:

Documents Required

  • Technical Proposals in pdf;;
  • Financial Proposals in pdf;
  • CV and full address of at least three references.

Note

Those applicants who have submitted their CV, without submitting technical and financial proposals will be automatically disqualified from further considerations.