Technical Advisor I - Seed System Development Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Established to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas, CRS operates in more than 100 countries, providing relief and development programs that focus on emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. The organization is committed to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people, especially children and vulnerable adults, and welcomes individuals from all faiths and secular traditions who share its values. CRS has a collaborative, mission-driven culture that emphasizes improving the lives of the poor globally, and it is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Job Overview:
The Technical Advisor I - Seed System Development Specialist will play a crucial role in providing technical advice, guidance, and support in the area of Seed Systems development as part of the Privately Funded Ethiopia Seed Activity (ESA) project. This position requires the application of Catholic Relief Services (CRS) program quality principles, donor guidelines, and industry best practices to ensure the delivery of high-quality programming aimed at benefiting the poor and vulnerable populations in Ethiopia. The specialist will focus on climate-smart crop and forage seed systems, promoting inclusive and sustainable agriculture-led economic growth while strengthening resilience among communities. The role involves leading seed system development, market development, and private sector engagement activities, as well as data collection and reporting tasks. The successful candidate will utilize their coordination and relationship management skills to implement best practices in seed market systems development, ensuring that the project continually improves its impact on the communities served.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Technical Advisor I include managing the innovation and business acceleration fund (IBAF), reviewing proposals, and developing market-based approaches that engage private sector development. The specialist will provide training on the seed market system approach to IBAF grantees for targeted crops and forage seeds produced under IBAF support. They will lead market systems development approaches, offering direct support for activities related to upgrading targeted crops and forage production. The role requires facilitating strategies and partnerships that strengthen linkages between crop and forage seed market actors and the cultivated forage value chain, including input suppliers, commercial and smallholder farmers, cooperatives, traders, and distributors. Regular monitoring and facilitation of dialogues along the marketing value chain of targeted crop and forage seeds and forage-based products are essential. The specialist will identify and cultivate new opportunities to strengthen market linkages across the targeted crop and forage value chain, support the development of IBAF agreements, and conduct periodic field monitoring visits to IBAF grantees to assess their progress. Collaboration with private sector actors to identify new business models for forage processing and conducting market analyses to facilitate private sector engagement are also key responsibilities. The specialist will ensure that the project captures and responds to up-to-date information about market system developments and private sector engagement, while building collaborative partnerships with private sectors, donors, local governments, and other stakeholders.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a business-minded, entrepreneurial, adaptive, curious, and results-oriented individual. Candidates must possess strong experience in engaging with research institutions and national seed system actors, along with excellent networking and engagement skills. Demonstrated skills in facilitating public-private partnerships and the ability to coordinate effectively with a wide variety of stakeholders, including national and local government, donors, community-based organizations, and the private sector, are essential. The candidate should be highly data-driven with strong analytical and problem-solving skills, capable of making sound judgments and offering innovative solutions. Excellent relationship management skills, strong strategic thinking, and the ability to influence and gain buy-in from diverse individuals are critical. Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and web conferencing applications is required.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold an MSc/MA or BA/BSc degree in Business Administration, Economics, Agricultural Economics, Rural Development, or other relevant fields. Preferable working experience in the seed sector is also required, with a minimum of 5 years of work experience for those with an MA/MSc degree or a minimum of 8 years for those with a BA/BSc degree. Experience in the NGO sector is preferred.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of work experience in the seed sector for candidates with an MSc/MA or a minimum of 8 years for those with a BA/BSc. Candidates should have experience leading agricultural market systems development programs with a proven track record of effective private sector engagement, particularly in relation to the IBAF model. A comprehensive understanding of the current CRS IBAF implementation model and at least two years of direct engagement with Private Seed Producers using the IBAF framework is essential. Additionally, candidates should have experience working with livestock, crop production, and financial market actors, as well as knowledge of participatory analyses and action processes.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory, and knowledge of local languages spoken in Ethiopia is considered a good to have.

Additional Notes:
This position is a definite term employment for one year, classified at Job Grade

• It does not involve supervisory responsibilities. CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package for U.S.-based staff, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a generous retirement savings plan. Benefits for successful candidates employed outside the U.S. are based on the country of employment. The organization prioritizes candidates who are citizens or permanent residents of the countries where CRS operates. The successful candidate is expected to adhere to CRS' Code of Conduct and participate in safeguarding measures to protect program participants and community members.