Area Program Coordinator-Jigjiga

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 candidates for a Area Program Coordinator-Jigjiga for the Feed the Future Ethiopia Transforming Agriculture Activity.The Area Program Coordinator–Jigjiga will be responsible for leading and managing the implementation and coordination of all the Feed the Future Ethiopia Transforming Agriculture (ETA) technical activities at the regional level while providing oversight for day-to-day project operations. RTI has established a regional office in Jigjiga that will be overseen by the Area Program Coordinator, who will maintain local relationships with stakeholders and grantees and make locally focused programmatic decisions. What You'll Do Essential Duties: • Overall coordination of the ETA activities in the designated woreda that fall under the Jigjiga office. • Supervise and support technical and operational staff in the field, including coordination in the preparation process of work plans and activity implementation, monitoring of activities and results, collection and analysis of data and preparing and reviewing reports. • Oversee and closely monitor all grantee technical activities and the specific scope of work in the individual grant agreement, including key interventions in commodities and food market systems, milestone deliverables, and reporting. • Develop and maintain relationships with private-sector actors within the area, engaging them as grantees, learning partners, and stakeholders. • Oversee and closely monitor all direct technical activities including sub-contract services, field days, demonstration sites, stakeholder workshops. • Coordinate and work closely with regional government officials and public sector agencies at all levels to maintain smooth relations and support for the ETA work plan implementation. • Engage with U.S. State Department programs, officials, and Implementing Partners, and other Development Partners, to maintain smooth relations, achieve synergy and coordinate joint activities where appropriate, including participation in learning and field events. • Support and coordinate with ETA technical teams in Addis Ababa, and other regions, in crops, livestock, nutrition, food processing, food security, market systems, environmental compliance, monitoring, evaluation & learning (MEL), private sector engagement. • Ensure technical quality of core activities to achieve scale and timely impact across sectors and local food market systems. • Oversee and closely monitor all operational functions connected with procurement, logistics, IT, administration, and seek support from the national operations team when needed. • Monitor program performance, tracking progress against goals, and implementing corrective actions as needed. • Optimize existing regional resource allocation assigned by project management, including personnel, budget, and other assets, to maximize program efficiency and effectiveness. • Identifying, assessing, and mitigating potential risks that could impact program delivery and inform the leadership as needed. • Ensure that regional support needs are clearly identified to the head office • Other tasks as assigned by line manager and leadership. What You'll Need • Bachelor's Degree and 8 years of experience, Master's degree and 6 years of experience, PhD and 1 years of experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience. • Prior experience working on donor funded projects, particularly US Government projects is strongly preferred. Skills & Abilities • Demonstrated experience and technical knowledge in project management, including elements of nutrition and market systems development strongly preferred. • Demonstrated familiarity with current trends in private sector engagement and inclusive market systems in Ethiopia strongly preferred. • Verbal and written fluency in English required, understanding of local context and Somali language. • Ability to travel and work throughout Ethiopia in difficult terrain/conditions at times. • Demonstrated skills in agricultural extension, agribusiness development, project coordination and/or partnership management preferred. • Proven ability to work under pressure, ability to travel woredas and work throughout Somali region. • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. • Ability to work independently and as part of a team. • Ability to communicate effectively, instilling trust and confidence

ResponsibilitiesEssential Duties: • Overall coordination of the ETA activities in the designated woreda that fall under the Jigjiga office. • Supervise and support technical and operational staff in the field, including coordination in the preparation process of work plans and activity implementation, monitoring of activities and results, collection and analysis of data and preparing and reviewing reports. • Oversee and closely monitor all grantee technical activities and the specific scope of work in the individual grant agreement, including key interventions in commodities and food market systems, milestone deliverables, and reporting. • Develop and maintain relationships with private-sector actors within the area, engaging them as grantees, learning partners, and stakeholders. • Oversee and closely monitor all direct technical activities including sub-contract services, field days, demonstration sites, stakeholder workshops. • Coordinate and work closely with regional government officials and public sector agencies at all levels to maintain smooth relations and support for the ETA work plan implementation. • Engage with U.S. State Department programs, officials, and Implementing Partners, and other Development Partners, to maintain smooth relations, achieve synergy and coordinate joint activities where appropriate, including participation in learning and field events. • Support and coordinate with ETA technical teams in Addis Ababa, and other regions, in crops, livestock, nutrition, food processing, food security, market systems, environmental compliance, monitoring, evaluation & learning (MEL), private sector engagement. • Ensure technical quality of core activities to achieve scale and timely impact across sectors and local food market systems. • Oversee and closely monitor all operational functions connected with procurement, logistics, IT, administration, and seek support from the national operations team when needed. • Monitor program performance, tracking progress against goals, and implementing corrective actions as needed. • Optimize existing regional resource allocation assigned by project management, including personnel, budget, and other assets, to maximize program efficiency and effectiveness. • Identifying, assessing, and mitigating potential risks that could impact program delivery and inform the leadership as needed. • Ensure that regional support needs are clearly identified to the head office • Other tasks as assigned by line manager and leadership

QualificationBachelor's Degree and 8 years of experience, Master's degree and 6 years of experience, PhD and 1 years of experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience. • Prior experience working on donor funded projects, particularly US Government projects is strongly preferred. Skills & Abilities • Demonstrated experience and technical knowledge in project management, including elements of nutrition and market systems development strongly preferred. • Demonstrated familiarity with current trends in private sector engagement and inclusive market systems in Ethiopia strongly preferred. • Verbal and written fluency in English required, understanding of local context and Somali language. • Ability to travel and work throughout Ethiopia in difficult terrain/conditions at times. • Demonstrated skills in agricultural extension, agribusiness development, project coordination and/or partnership management preferred. • Proven ability to work under pressure, ability to travel woredas and work throughout Somali region. • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. • Ability to work independently and as part of a team. • Ability to communicate effectively, instilling trust and confidence