Ethiopia: Tree Director

Feb 20, 2022 | One Acre Fund
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Founded in 2006, One Acre Fund supplies 1 million smallholder farmers with the agricultural services they need to make their farms vastly more productive. Our 8,000+ team is drawn from diverse backgrounds and professions. With operations across six core countries in Africa, we make farmers more prosperous by providing quality farm supplies on credit, delivered within walking distance of farmers’ homes, and agricultural training to improve harvests. On average, the farmers we serve harvest 50 percent more food after working with One Acre Fund. 

To learn more about our work, take a look at our Why Work Here blog for more information.

About the Role

In 2021, One Acre Fund signed a five-year agreement with the government of Amhara region for the Trees for Resilience, Environment and the Economy (TREE) Project. The TREE Program Director leads overall program strategy, as well as logistics and input supply strategy and sustainability strategy.

Responsibilities

Business Development, fundraising and representation (25%)

  • Identify climate, agriculture and forestry donors to fund expansion of the TREE program
  • Establish and maintain regular contact with international donors and thought leaders;
  • Identify and pursue new tree program activities and partnerships to grow program;
  • Design a growth strategy that aligns with those of our donors and internal goals;
  • Ensure compliance with existing donor environmental and social controls and do impeccable grant reporting
  • Maintain continuous contact to develop relationships and partnerships as well as disseminate relevant reports, up-dates and information to donor representatives and agencies in country
  • Organize and accompany donor and/or Headquarters staff during field visits to projects in country;
  • Fulfill other duties and responsibilities as may be reasonably assigned by the Country Director

Technical program management (25%)

  • Supervise in-country team on program implementation and all technical aspects of the TREE project(s);
  • Liaise with the partners and donor to ensure accurate data is being sent and that the correct analysis is being undertaken;
  • Perform international research and networking to design cutting-edge program and supply chain innovations
  • Generate innovative ideas to advance programs and presence in country;
  • Perform regular supervision visits for technical oversight of programs outside of Bahir Dar;
  • Manage budget to ensure that spending is according to plan;
  • Participate in program development and the writing of project proposals for extension of existing and/or establishment of expansion of the TREE project in Ethiopia;

Capacity building of national staff (25%)

  • Identify and employ a strong national deputy to ensure smooth implementation
  • Build the capacity of headquarters national staff to innovate and execute a growing program as efficiently as possible with declining support from international staff.
  • Lead capacity building and leadership trainings for agroforestry staff
  • Align TREE program systems with our internal standards for controls, including SAP, InFlow, mobile GPS apps, etc. and make sure staff are capacitated to implement them

Program improvements for sustainability (25%)

  • Oversees transition of nurseries from subsidized to private sector sustainability through operational, managerial readiness and market assessment
  • Oversee the sourcing of quality tree inputs and build the capacity of the local supply chain for future expansion
  • Assess market supply, analyze bottlenecks and create interventions to reduce bottlenecks
  • Improve the program to enhance the sustainable profitability of tree nursery operators 
  • Reduce costs of inputs and logistics operations in the delivery of inputs to remote rural locations

Career Growth and Development

We have a strong culture of constant learning and we invest in developing our people. You’ll have weekly check-ins with your manager, access to mentorship and training programs, and regular feedback on your performance. We hold career reviews every six months, and set aside time to discuss your aspirations and career goals. You’ll have the opportunity to shape a growing organization and build a rewarding long-term career.

Qualifications

Across all roles, these are the general qualifications we look for. For this role specifically, you will have:

  • Masters in Business Administration from an accredited international university
  • Five years of experience in systems, supply chain optimization and/or market strategy
  • At least two years of experience leading rural economic development programs in Africa
  • Proven track record in reducing costs, raising revenues and optimizing profitability of clients
  • Significant experience teaching, transferring knowledge and building knowledge in a cross-cultural context
  • Proven ability to interact effectively with external stakeholders
  • Strong data analysis skills (Excel, STATA, SPSS, etc.)
  • Coursework or experience in agroforestry or natural resource management
  • Native or near-native English writing and speaking skills

Preferred Start Date

As soon as possible

Job Location

Addis Ababa or Bahir Dar, Ethiopia with frequent travel to field sites.

Benefits

Health insurance, housing, and comprehensive benefits

Eligibility

One Acre Fund can support a work permit for this role. However, nationals of (or those with an extensive professional background and work history in) our countries of operation are preferred.

Application Deadline: 14 May 2022