Organizational Development Specialist (Position 1)
Project Background:
The Nutrition Sensitive Agriculture Capacity and System Strengthening Project is a five-year (2019-2024) project funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (Gates Foundation). The project will be implemented in three regions of Ethiopia in selected zones and Woredas. The overall objective of the project is to enable the MOA to effectively implement the National Nutrition Sensitive Agriculture Strategy and contribute to the achievement of the National Nutrition Program and ‘Seqota’ Declaration goals. To achieve the proposed objective, the project will provide direct technical (personnel) and financial support through the grant-under-grant approach. The project will be implemented in close collaboration with Save the Children USA (SC-USA), Save the Children International (SCI) Ethiopia, and Ethiopian Ministry of Agriculture (MOA). The project will also work closely with other organizations working on nutrition sensitive agriculture approaches with the MOA. Strengthening and sustaining human resource capacity for nutrition-sensitive agriculture at regional, zonal and woreda levels is one of the four primary objectives of the project. SCI therefore, is looking for an Organizational Development Specialist who will be responsible to lead and manage the achievement of this project objective.
Role Purpose:
The Ethiopian MOA showed its commitment to improve the nutritional status of citizens mainly through incorporation of outcome level nutrition objectives in the Second Agricultural Growth Program (AGP-II) and development of a National Nutrition Sensitive Agriculture Strategy (NSAS). To achieve this objective, MOA needs additional human resources and institutional strengthening. The Organizational Development Specialist will work with MOA management to develop and implement appropriate nutrition human resource structures in the ministry (Region to Woreda level) and manage change through building organizational systems strengthening. The position will be responsible for managing major organizational change needs within the ministry to facilitate and support the adoption and flow-down of the NSAS. In order to carry this out, the specialist will develop and lead an organizational development (OD) assessment of the MOA’s organizational effectiveness to review existing systems within the MOA and the regional bureaus. The Organizational Development Specialist will be responsible for facilitating the study of the existing system within the MOA. S/He will also be responsible for developing an organizational development plan/work plan that includes a realistic graduated recruitment of nutrition and food security expertise.
Save the Children and the MOA will use the findings from the human resource capacity and OD assessments to develop a realistic OD plan for systems strenghthening and sustainability. This plan will provide insights into how the ministry can grow its nutrition capability within a reasonable timeframe and resources to meet its NSAS objectives. Together Save the Children, the MOA and the selected regional bureaus will determine the most effective way to implement a human resource plan. SC will provide funding for the MOA to build its capacity in nutrition-sensitive agriculture and the Organizational Development Specialist will support the MOA with hiring nutrition and related staff at federal, regional, zonal and Woreda levels of three test regions. S/He will support the roll-out of costing, planning, and resource mobilization for technical training of staff in the three regions. S/He will assist the MOA to use data for decision-making and planning in order to mainstream organizational development. S/He will also work to support and provide on-the-job training/mentorship to the MOA OD specialist.
Scope of Role:
Reports to: The post holder will directly report to the Project Director
Staff directly reporting to this post: None
KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Leadership and System Strengthening
- Provide technical leadership and management around objectives to ensure successful delivery of the project.
- Serve as focal point in defining the resources (financial, technical, human resources) that are needed to ensure comprehensive organizational change
- Lead and manage the whole process of an organizational development assessment, including the analysis of findings, writing the report, and translating the data into an achievable workplan strategy.
- In collaboration with MOA’s Organizational development specialist, lead development of nutrition career paths for NSAS
- Support a nutrition human resources needs assessment being led by Alive & Thrive project
- Provide on-the-job training/mentorship to the MOA Organizational Development Specialist
- Identify MOA staff learning and training needs to plan and implement the OD plan
- Identify capacity building and system strengthening opportunities and implement through training, short-term e-course, experience sharing etc.
- Support project planning with the other members of the project team
Development and Implementation
- Map the existing organizational structure and develop a new human resource plan
- Develop a change management plan to convince structural change within the MOA, and at the Federal, Regional, Zonal, and Woreda levels.
- Support the development of job descriptions and career structures for staffing the NSAS implementation plan Develop organizational standard operating procedures around the major organizational changes being rolled out.
- Develop and test modules before they are rolled out.
- Continually engage with all stakeholders to ensure satisfaction and key involvement from key functions
- Responsible for communication project progress and challenges to the Project Director and forming mitigation plans with the MOA and other stakeholders
Knowledge Management & Communication
- Contribute to project specific learning and knowledge management strategy managed by the Senior MEAL Specialist.
- Ensure utilization of learning and knowledge generated in decision-making and program improvement.
Representation, Advocacy & Organisational Learning:
- Ensure effective coordination and advocacy mechanism is in place for all organizational development activities, through coordination with relevant project stakeholders and organization working in similar areas.
- Establish relationship with Federal Ministry of Public Service and Human Resources Development and Ministry of Agriculture and advocate the establishment of Nutrition Structure in MOA.
- Promote learning throughout the project, particularly on issues of organizational change.
- Regularly produce and report on best practices and case studies with the Senior MEAL Specialist.
General:
- Comply with Save the Children policies and practice with respect to child safeguarding, code of conduct, health and safety, equal opportunities and other relevant policies and procedures.
SKILLS AND BEHAVIOURS (our Values in Practice)
Accountability:
- Holds self accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values
- Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities – giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved
Ambition:
- Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves (and their team), takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages others to do the same
- Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
- Future orientated, thinks strategically and can visualize and high-level goals and objectives and translate them into practical tasks and see a road to achieving those goals.
Collaboration:
- Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, members and external partners and supporters
- Values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength
- Approachable, good listener, diplomatic
Creativity:
- Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
- Willing to take disciplined risks
Integrity:
- Honest, encourages openness and transparency
Job Requirements
In order to be successful you will bring/have:
Required
- Minimum of BSc/BA/ MSc/MA degree in an area of Development Management, Human Resources Management, Program Management, Business Administration, Public Policy, Economics, Agricultural Economics, Social Science or equivalent.
- Organizational capacity development or change management education background complemented by business administration or communications will be an added advantage
- Minimum eight years of experience in organizational career development or organizational change management, and/or communication. At least 3 years of experience in leadership of projects in agriculture or community nutrition. Direct experience of rolling out organizational structural change and managing complex projects across departments, as well as managing multiple internal and external stakeholders.
- Experience working with government ministry on HR systems or organizational development.
- Experience in and proven ability to support, train and mentor staff and partners in organizational change management
Desired
- Demonstrated ability to write and analyse assessments, including planning/participating in assessments and evaluations
- Ability and willingness to travel to field sites and work in remote locations, often for prolonged periods of time
- Ability to comprehensively analyse data and draw conclusions to inform achievable work plans
- Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills including influencing, negotiation and coaching
- Strong results orientation, with the ability to challenge existing mind-sets
- Ability to present complex information in a succinct and compelling manner
- Fluency in English, both verbal and written
- Commitment to and understanding of Save the Children strategy, vision, mission, values and principles, good understanding and commitment to principles of child rights and child protection.
We offer a competitive package in the context of the sector.
This role is offered on the basis of national terms and conditions only.
The Organisation
We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better healthcare, education and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realise the right of children and to ensure their voices are heard.
We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:
- No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthday
- All children learn from a quality basic education and that,
- Violence against children is no longer tolerated
We know that great people make a great organization, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children. We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive environment where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.
More Information
- Job City Addis Ababa
