Crop Protection Advisor - Horti LIFE III project - Readvertised

SNV is a global development partner, deeply rooted in the countries where we operate. We are driven by a vision of a better world: A world where across every society all people live with dignity and have equitable opportunities to thrive sustainably. To make this vision a reality, we need transformations in vital agri-food, energy, and water systems. SNV contributes by strengthening capacities and catalysing partnerships in these sectors. We help strengthen institutions and effective governance, reduce gender inequalities and barriers to social inclusion, and enable adaptation and mitigation to the climate and biodiversity crises.

Building on 60 years of experience we support our partners with our technical and process expertise and methodological rigour. We do this in more than 20 countries in Africa and Asia with a team of approximately 1,600 colleagues. By being adaptable and tailoring our approaches to these different contexts, we can contribute to impact at scale, resulting in more equitable lives for all.

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Background of the Project

Horti-LIFE (HL) is funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (EKN) and implemented by SNV-Ethiopia in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture. The aim is to contribute to the horticulture sector growth and reduce malnutrition by strengthening the extension service to improve the production, productivity, and food safety in the horticultural sector in gender-balanced and nutrition-sensitive way.

Context and purpose of the job

The project team consists of an international team Leader, a deputy team leader, and experts on horticultural production, fund management, seed multiplication, micro-finance, plant protection, monitoring and evaluation, gender, and nutrition. Each of the seven regions where the project works, has a regional manager (one regional manager covers 4 regions in the south) and senior horticultural experts, in addition to some 60 horticultural field staff working at woreda and cluster levels. The crop protection advisor is part of SNV Country Organization and works at Horti-LIFE III project level under the Agri-Food sector.

The Advisor is specialized in plant protection and provides technical insights and advisory services on products and interventions of Horti-LIFE III project. He focusses specifically on:

1. Institutionalization of the spray service providers within MoLS and selected A-TVETS,
2. Supporting the registration process of biochemicals and bio fertilisers in the country and,
3. Collaborating with universities to conduct trials on newly introduced bio chemicals.

Planning and implementation:

• Plan the budget for spray service providers & kebele pesticide agent activities, project beneficiaries, plant protection consultants and other plant protection activities in the farmer field school.
• Plan the support to Ethiopian Agricultural Authority to ensure new bio chemicals and bio fertilisers are registered in Ethiopia.
• Plan the support to MoLS and A-TVETS in the development and roll out of spray service providers courses given at selected A-TVETS
• Ensure efficient allocation of resources and appropriate utilization of planned budget in the plant protection activities.

Capacity building:

• Identify the knowledge gaps of farmers, partners staff and project staff.
• Prepare tailor made training material for farmers, District Advisors and master trainers.
• Coach & mentor, the field staff on site on integrated pest management and crop protection

Financial & Administration management:

• Review and monitor the budget expenditure rates of project beneficiaries and project partners on plant protection.
• Prepare budget for spray service providers & Kebele pesticide agent activities, project beneficiaries, plant protection consultants and other plant protection activities in the farm field school.
• Ensure efficient allocation of resources and appropriate utilization of planned budget in the plant protection activities

Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting:

• Continuous assessment of the effectiveness of the Food safety activities, partners, and beneficiaries of the project on plant protection
• Supervises the record keeping (M& E data) and reporting of food safety activities of the project in all the regions, by consultants and stakeholders.
• Visit project field staff, promote, and encourages initiation of plant protection innovative ideas. 
• Contribute to the documentation of food safety achievements in terms of reports, publications, brochures and/or guidelines.

Networking, Learning & Representation

• Establish and maintain good working relationship with related NGOs and projects, research institutions and projects, and private service providers and private enterprises.
• Liaises and communicates with partners at international, national, regional level and other development programs for sharing of lessons, ideas, and creation of complementarity.
• Establish and maintain strong and genuine working relations with the Ethiopian Agricultural Authority on Food safety.

• Master’s degree in the field of Horticulture or agriculture (specialization crop protection)

Experience:

• Eight years of experience in horticulture pest and disease management.
• Profound knowledge & practical experience on plant pest and disease management.
• Act as advisor to the project manager in the field of crop protection.

Additional Skills:

• In depth understanding of food safety regulatory framework.
• Energetic and motivating attitude; proactive and solution oriented.
• Excellent analytical skills as well as communication & advisory skills.
• Pragmatic, good, and patient negotiator and solution oriented.
• Team player with networking abilities.
• Fluent in English (working language of SNV) and local languages.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Computer skills.

Competencies:

• Problem analysis
• Conceptual thinking
• Coaching
• Focus on quality
• Result orientation
• Persuasiveness

Additional Information

Contract Type: National

Expected start date: February 2025.

Duty Station: Addis Ababa

Contract Duration: For one year with the possibility of extension.

How to Apply
If you believe that your credentials meet the outlined profile, we invite you to apply by uploading your CV and a letter of motivation before/on the 3rd of January 2025. Please submit your application only via Smart Recruiters. All information will be in the strictest confidence. 
If we see that your experience and skills match the requirements of the position, we will contact you to advise on the next steps in the recruitment process.

Working at SNV  
SNV offers a challenging work environment, opportunities to lead and innovate, and a commitment to growing your skills in a fulfilling and diverse working environment. Our staff benefit from and contribute to, an internal and global network of experts.

At SNV, inclusivity is at the heart of our ethos. We celebrate the diversity of our workforce and uphold a policy of non-discrimination based on factors such as disability status, religion, ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, and more.

Vetting
SNV carries out rigorous background and reference checks concerning possible safeguarding incidents for all candidates applying for National & International determined positions. As SNV participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme, all reference checks include a request to past employers to fill in a questionnaire regarding Misconduct (sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment), the “Statement of Conduct". This Statement of Conduct adopts the definitions used in the Scheme.  

SNV is an equal opportunities employer and female candidates are encouraged to apply.

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