Livelihoods Expert

As part of achieving the Climate Resilient Green Economy Strategy’s goals for the forest sector, targets set in the NFSDP and as part of its REDD+ Implementation Plan, the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Climate Change (MEFCC) is setting up a Forest Sector Transformation Unit (FSTU). The FSTU is formed to create a multi-sectoral coordination platform to bring about transformational change in the forest sector through initiating innovative approaches and guide implementation, compile lessons/challenges for adoption, promote engagement with private sector and CSOs in forest sector/REDD+ undertaking as well as to analyze the policy environment and the roles of the forest sector in achieving the CRGE objectives.

The unit is to be set up for highly capable professionals who are distinctive in their field and energized about the development of Ethiopia and its forest sector. The unit will focus on supporting implementation of forestry initiatives under the REDD+ Implementation Plan with the ministry as well as building a broader portfolio of initiatives with the private sector and civil society that will allow rapid scale and impact in both afforestation / reforestation as well as forest protection in Ethiopia.

The FSTU is seeking a Livelihoods Expert who will be a part of the Project Delivery Support team. This team’s role is to provide execution and project management support to existing programs in the forestry sector. This includes actively and collaboratively working with existing programs to develop work plans and milestones, build capabilities within program teams, problem-solve roadblocks, and identify opportunities to improve and accelerate programs. This is a hands-on and exciting opportunity to be at the front and center of strengthening Ethiopia’s forestry sector from the ground up and support execution of ambitious initiatives throughout the sector.

• Provide expertise to existing programs in forest conservation and afforestation/reforestation in order to define opportunities within these programs to strengthen benefits to agricultural communities.  This includes silvo-pastoralism and non-timber-forest-product development
• Develop business cases to strengthen the agricultural component within the existing forestry programs and work with project owners to embed implementation of these components into the programs
• Support tracking of results with project owners and collaboratively identify opportunities for improvement.  Work with project owners to embed these improvement opportunities in the programs
• Build capacity within implementing bodies within MEFCC, pilot programs, or other institutions through training on agricultural models relevant to the forestry sector and global best practices
• Provide benchmarks and case studies of successful examples of agro-forestry programs and pull together in a concise report for reference and to guide planning
• Develop relevant ‘best practice guides’ and documents setting out lessons learned etc.;
• Performing other tasks as may from time to time be requested by the Manager of the Project Delivery Support team.

• Experience in supporting the development of sustainable agro-forestry, silvo-pastoralism, agribusiness, and/or climate smart agriculture programs
• Extensive experience in formulating and delivering capacity development activities and programmes in favour of private and public stakeholders in the areas of agro-forestry, silvo-pastoralism, agribusiness, and/or climate smart agriculture programs
• Experience working and collaborating with diverse sets of stakeholders such as private sector (financial institutions, exporters, buyers, traders), private sector research institutions, donors, governments and producers.
• Strong analytical, project management or co-ordination, and problem-solving skills
• Strong verbal and written communication skills and the ability to interact professionally with a diverse group, Executives, Ministers, and subject experts
• Innovative and results-oriented attitude necessary to succeed in a dynamic environment
• Willingness and ability to learn on the job, keen to undertake training and on the job development
• Advanced to excellent computer literacy including standard office applications such as MS Office packages Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Database/Access as well as statistical techniques.

• Minimum MSc/ MA degree in Crop Production, Livestock/Range Management, Agroforestry, Agricultural economics, Forest-Economics, Economics, or related qualification.
• Minimum 4 years work experience preferably with international experience.
• Previous work in agro-forestry, silvo-pastoralism, agribusiness, and/or climate smart agriculture programs.
• Previous work in the forest sector is preferred but not required.
• Proven record of leadership in a work setting.
• Ability to work with people at all levels of a team.
• Demonstrate sound critical thinking skills.

Important applicant information

All posts in the SC categories are subject to local recruitment.

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