Agriculture, Livelihoods, and Conservation Specialist 207 views0 applications

About the Foundation

The David and Lucile Packard Foundation, Ethiopia Office (Foundation) seeks an experienced, wellnetworked, and proactive Specialist to provide technical support for the Foundation’s Agriculture, Livelihoods, and Conservation (ALC) initiative. While closely coordinating with the ALC Program Officer, located at the Foundation’s U.S. headquarters, this specialist will be based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and will report to the Country Advisor in Ethiopia.

The Packard Foundation is a family foundation that is guided by the enduring business philosophy and personal values of Lucile and David Packard, who helped found one of the world’s leading technology companies. Their approach to business and community participation has guided our philanthropy for 50 years. Today, their children and grandchildren continue to help guide the work of the Foundation. The Foundation makes grants at the local, state, national, and international level. The Foundation works on the issues their founders cared about most, which are improving the lives of children; enabling the creative pursuit of science; advancing reproductive health; conserving and restoring the earth’s natural systems; and supporting and strengthening an array of local nonprofit organizations.

 In Ethiopia, the Foundation has been providing support to enhance access to quality family planning and reproductive health services since 1998. Since March 2015, the Foundation has strengthened its subSaharan Africa office in Addis Ababa to support programs in Ethiopia and regionally. In January 2017, the Foundation launched the ALC initiative that builds upon past successes and lessons learned to promote sustainable agriculture and natural resource use while also improving social and economic development in the Country.

 The ALC Initiative

The ALC initiative is a pilot grantmaking portfolio that aims to promote sustainable agriculture and natural resource use in geographies of high conservation value through interventions that also improve social and economic development of smallholder farmers. The ALC grant and contract dollars are deployed in countries of high conservation value that are threatened by the expansion of agriculture, and where the Foundation already has a presence—Ethiopia, Indonesia, and The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). ALC work is closely coordinated with other Foundation programs that are also working in these countries: Conservation & Science (in Indonesia) and Population & Reproductive Health (in the DRC and Ethiopia). The initiative aims to achieve the following outcomes through place-based grantmaking:

Ethiopia ALC Specialist

• Protect biodiversity and the services that natural ecosystems provide (such as water purification, pollination, and carbon sequestration) from threats associated with agricultural intensification and expansion;
• Decrease environmental degradation on farms and surrounding lands while also seeking opportunities to increase productivity sustainably; and
• Improve the livelihoods and resilience of local communities and farmers with a focus on women and youth.

Position The Foundation seeks a specialist to contribute to the ALC portfolio and stakeholder engagement in Ethiopia. S/he should have educational and/or professional background in agriculture, natural resource management and/or sustainable development, and experience working on these issues in Ethiopia. It is essential that the specialist has the experience of working within and navigating the political and cultural contexts in Ethiopia and has a deep knowledge of federal, regional, and local governance. S/he will be able to effectively communicate with high levels of leadership and respectfully engage on complex topics with many diverse audiences including grantees, governmental bodies, the private sector, NGO representatives, local communities, and other donors. S/he should be dedicated to promoting excellence, innovation, and impact and have experience fostering cooperative working relationships and learning. The role requires self-direction combined with flexibility and a capacity to give and receive feedback graciously. The ALC specialist is expected to work in coordination with the Population and Reproductive Health Program to form a cohesive team that works together to reflect and represent the Foundation’s values and philanthropic vision. The job requires overtime work and 4-6 local and at least 2 regional or international travels in a year.

 Responsibilities:

• Serve as key consultant and advisor to the ALC initiative in Ethiopia, providing insight into the local context and identifying appropriate strategic outcomes.
• Proactively explore and report on opportunities to build the ALC portfolio in Ethiopia; stay informed about various policy initiatives, research, and institutional changes relevant to the program’s objectives and strategy.
• Participate in the development of grant recommendations, including identifying promising prospective grantees, assessing proposals received, and conducting due diligence.
• Initiate useful partnerships in the field between implementing partners, contractors, and other stakeholders; make frequent contact with representatives of other relevant donors, private sector, and government entities with whom the Foundation might directly collaborate.
• Serve as a field-based representative of a growing and integrated grants portfolio; make site visits, attend meetings, and clearly and consistently communicate with grant recipients and other potential partners in a transparent, timely, and respectful manner.
• Promptly communicate with the Foundation any issue, problem, or concern with grantees, investment recipients, donors, governments, etc.
• Work to identify opportunities to improve grant administration and implementation in country, including facilitating consistent dialogue with grant recipients regarding reporting, monitoring, and evaluation.
• Identify grantee technical assistance and organizational development needs and deliver or coordinate the delivery of such assistance.
• Identify opportunities and/or the need to convene grant recipients in Ethiopia around specific topics, skills training, etc.
• Create opportunities to demonstrate subprogram impact through virtual presentations and inperson visits with Foundation staff, Foundation Board members, and other stakeholders.
• Manage the scheduling and logistics of country visits.

Job Requirements

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• The successful candidate should possess the following qualifications:
• Master’s degree in agriculture, public policy, natural resource management, economics, or other relevant fields.
• Fluency in Amharic and English, including exceptional written and oral communication skills in both.
• Commitment to finding ways to sustainably manage resources for the health of both biologically diverse ecosystems and the communities who rely upon them.
• Familiarity with gender issues in Ethiopia and experience integrating gender considerations into research and/or programming.
• Deep knowledge of sustainable agriculture and livelihood opportunities, threats, policies, institutions, and solutions in Ethiopia.
• Significant understanding of the economic, political, and social dynamics in Ethiopia
• Experience working with a variety of stakeholders, including NGOs, government, the private sector, related communities, and academia—particularly those involved in agriculture and/or development in Ethiopia.
• Ability to work effectively independently and as part of a team that is widely dispersed as well as, occasionally, over weekends.
• Willingness to perform and coordinate administrative duties, as required.
• Ability and willingness to travel frequently throughout Ethiopia, regionally and internationally.

Position Type and Duration

This is a technical position located within the Packard Foundation office in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. It is anticipated to be a one-year engagement, with the possibility of extension.

How to Apply

To be considered for this position, interested candidates must submit a resume, cover letter, and writing sample to [email protected]