DescriptionWhy RTI RTI International (RTI) is both a global research institute and a leading international development organization based out of North Carolina. At RTI, you will find work you believe in, tackling some of the most complex global challenges of our time. Our mission is to impact the wellbeing of 1 billion people by 2030 through science-based solutions in climate, education, health, and equity. Our staff promote meaningful change around the world helping people live healthier, more productive, and more independent lives. If you are looking for an opportunity to make a real difference, RTI is the place for you. Join us in our commitment to teamwork, belonging, and the passion to change the world. About the Hiring Group RTI's International Development Group brings together RTI experts and capabilities across food security, agriculture, energy, environment, water, governance, and economic opportunity. RTI leverages its experience in designing and delivering multisectoral programming and technical solutions to build resilience and prosperity and promote economic growth and security around the world. Position Description. RTI is seeking a Senior Livestock Market System Manager for the Feed the Future Ethiopia Transforming Agriculture Activity. The Senior Livestock Market Systems Manager will provide strategy development and project implementation guidance for livestock value chain development activities as they relate to food security, food supply, and food utilization under Transforming Agriculture. The Senior Livestock Market Systems Manager will lead the development and oversight of livestock value chain activities that align with the overall project work plan, including promotion of US business opportunities and investment within the Ethiopian livestock sectors. Specifically, he/she will utilize facilitative approaches with key market actors to improve the productivity of animal-based foods in alignment with the interests and capacity of smallholder livestock keepers and other actors in key livestock-related value chains (forage, dairy, sheep, goat, meat, poultry, eggs, and fish) to adopt sound practices that result in improving food security and income. The Senior Livestock Market Systems Manager will oversee activities that will increase household and livestock market resilience including the promotion of appropriate livestock breeds, improving food security and help livestock keepers to better manage risk. The Senior Livestock Market Systems Manager will coordinate closely with private enterprises, industry associations, farmer-based organizations, Government of Ethiopia representatives, and other implementers to ensure coordinated and impactful activities. What You'll Do Your primary responsibilities will include but not be limited to: Lead technical implementation of livestock market systems through increasing availability, income generation, desirability and convenience of animal source food in close collaboration with the DCOP / Technical, and other Technical Leads on the project Work closely with DCOP-Technical and Technical Leads to develop and execute project work plans and maintain technical oversight of all livestock production, income generation and utilization (e.g., forage, dairy, meat, poultry, eggs, and fish) activities. Provide leadership, management, and direction to livestock-related field-level activities, including engagement with local partners, as needed. Develop and oversee the implementation of activities that transform livestock market systems and increase livestock productivity and production through the promotion of locally appropriate livestock breeds, community breeding, animal feed and forage, animal health products and veterinary services, appropriate genetic improvements, and animal care and herd management – with attention to the different approaches required for across Lowland Pastoralist and Highland areas. Identify and facilitate innovative livestock productivity activities that strengthen and enhance collaboration between smallholders, the private sector, and local authorities, and increase access to appropriate financial management products and information communication technology innovations that help farmers to acquire real time market information. Contribute to the design, implementation, and closeout of catalytic project grants, subcontracts, and consultants designed to spur private sector investment. Act as a portfolio and/or engagement manager, incentivize the broad participation of livestock market systems actors, and facilitate entry of new actors or connection among existing actors, and facilitate new investment into the livestock sector. Contribute to the oversight of activity level activity budgets for livestock activities to support cost control for the project. Provide technical support and input into project reporting deliverables including annual and quarterly reports, project-level analyses, and other deliverables as needed on the project. Supervise livestock specialists and mentor regional livestock officers in livestock market systems lens and implementation. Contribute to market system and food system project learnings. Lead, supervise, coach, and develop the team in a manner that is open and respectful, encourages professional development, and solicits constructive staff input. Any duties and responsibilities assigned by his/her immediate supervisor. What You'll Need Bachelor's Degree and 12 years of experience, Master's degree and 10 years of experience, PhD and 6 years of experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Degree should be in livestock production, animal science, international development, business management, agricultural or rural development, or other relevant fields. Prior experience working on the Feed the Future Ethiopia Transforming Agriculture activity in a similar capacity preferred. Key Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Demonstrated senior technical experience on agricultural development programs with a focus on improving livestock competitiveness. Proven senior leadership ability, staff management, and technical capacity to build and facilitate high-level relationships, including in livestock productivity and commercialization of livestock technologies through public and private partnerships. Experience and/or technical knowledge in designing and managing development projects and activities, particularly related to livestock and agricultural productivity. Experience in livestock production and management including experience in locally appropriate livestock feeds, inputs, veterinary supplies, and networks. Experience in locally appropriate livestock approaches including sustainable landscape management practices. Proven capacity to collaborate across projects, be flexible, and creative and successfully lead an intercultural team in development and post-conflict contexts. Professional fluency in English (both spoken and written) and strong command of Amharic is required, additional local language is a plus. Ability to travel extensively in rural Ethiopia. Ability to communicate effectively. Strong interpersonal and written and oral presentation skills
ResponsibilitiesYour primary responsibilities will include but not be limited to: Lead technical implementation of livestock market systems through increasing availability, income generation, desirability and convenience of animal source food in close collaboration with the DCOP / Technical, and other Technical Leads on the project Work closely with DCOP-Technical and Technical Leads to develop and execute project work plans and maintain technical oversight of all livestock production, income generation and utilization (e.g., forage, dairy, meat, poultry, eggs, and fish) activities. Provide leadership, management, and direction to livestock-related field-level activities, including engagement with local partners, as needed. Develop and oversee the implementation of activities that transform livestock market systems and increase livestock productivity and production through the promotion of locally appropriate livestock breeds, community breeding, animal feed and forage, animal health products and veterinary services, appropriate genetic improvements, and animal care and herd management – with attention to the different approaches required for across Lowland Pastoralist and Highland areas. Identify and facilitate innovative livestock productivity activities that strengthen and enhance collaboration between smallholders, the private sector, and local authorities, and increase access to appropriate financial management products and information communication technology innovations that help farmers to acquire real time market information. Contribute to the design, implementation, and closeout of catalytic project grants, subcontracts, and consultants designed to spur private sector investment. Act as a portfolio and/or engagement manager, incentivize the broad participation of livestock market systems actors, and facilitate entry of new actors or connection among existing actors, and facilitate new investment into the livestock sector. Contribute to the oversight of activity level activity budgets for livestock activities to support cost control for the project. Provide technical support and input into project reporting deliverables including annual and quarterly reports, project-level analyses, and other deliverables as needed on the project. Supervise livestock specialists and mentor regional livestock officers in livestock market systems lens and implementation. Contribute to market system and food system project learnings. Lead, supervise, coach, and develop the team in a manner that is open and respectful, encourages professional development, and solicits constructive staff input. Any duties and responsibilities assigned by his/her immediate supervisor
QualificationBachelor's Degree and 12 years of experience, Master's degree and 10 years of experience, PhD and 6 years of experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Degree should be in livestock production, animal science, international development, business management, agricultural or rural development, or other relevant fields. Prior experience working on the Feed the Future Ethiopia Transforming Agriculture activity in a similar capacity preferred. Key Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Demonstrated senior technical experience on agricultural development programs with a focus on improving livestock competitiveness. Proven senior leadership ability, staff management, and technical capacity to build and facilitate high-level relationships, including in livestock productivity and commercialization of livestock technologies through public and private partnerships. Experience and/or technical knowledge in designing and managing development projects and activities, particularly related to livestock and agricultural productivity. Experience in livestock production and management including experience in locally appropriate livestock feeds, inputs, veterinary supplies, and networks. Experience in locally appropriate livestock approaches including sustainable landscape management practices. Proven capacity to collaborate across projects, be flexible, and creative and successfully lead an intercultural team in development and post-conflict contexts. Professional fluency in English (both spoken and written) and strong command of Amharic is required, additional local language is a plus. Ability to travel extensively in rural Ethiopia. Ability to communicate effectively. Strong interpersonal and written and oral presentation skills