Agriculture Policy Advisor Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)

CAREER OPPORTUNITY

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is the implementing agency of the Federal Republic of Germany for technical and international cooperation. It offers flexible, sustainable and effective solutions in political, economic and social change processes. Most of the work of GIZ is commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). GIZ also operates on behalf of other German ministries as well as public and private bodies in Germany and abroad. These include the European Commission, the United Nations, the World Bank and governments of other countries.

As part of the GIZ Agriculture and Food Security Cluster (“Agri-Food Cluster”), you will make a qualitative and sustainable contribution to food security in Zambia. More than half of Zambia’s population lives from agriculture and malnutrition remains a key problem. The cluster includes projects in the areas of agriculture and food security, which are closely linked. As an Agriculture Policy Advisor, you will support the implementation of the bilateral project “Climate-Resilient Agri-Food Systems” (CREATE) commissioned by the BMZ as well as the Zambia country contribution of the global project (GV) “Sustainable Agricultural Systems and Agricultural Policy” (AgSys) in Eastern Province. In doing so, you will actively shape the transformation of Agriculture and Food Systems in Zambia.

In this context, the project is seeking a suitable candidate for the following position:

Agriculture Policy Advisor – (based in Chipata)
REF: GIZ_CREATE_APA

• Main tasks and responsibilities
  As an Agriculture Policy Advisor within the GIZ Agriculture and Food Security Cluster, you will work on the implementation of the cluster priorities with a focus on climate resilient and nutrition-sensitive agriculture as well as private sector engagement
• You will advise the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) and take on a coordinating role vis-à-vis other partner ministries (e.g. MFL), Local Governments, other relevant authorities, associations as well as private and non-governmental actors in Eastern Province on issues related to the transformation of the agricultural and food system.
• Process-oriented advice to MoA and MFL in the implementation of selected best practices and innovations on the aspects of nutrition-sensitive and climate-resilient agriculture from the BMZ Special Initiative “Transformation of Agricultural and Food Systems”, SUN II, and other organizations in Southern Province
• Methodological and technical qualification of extension workers in the agri-food sector, e.g. from MoA, MFL, MGEE, MSME, provincial and district nutrition committees and non-government extension service providers in a master trainer approach to strengthen an evidence-based extension system
• In doing so, you will work closely with the MoA team and engage stakeholders (government, public, private sector) at all levels
• You will build and maintain mutually beneficial relationships between the GIZ Agri-Food Cluster Team, MoA, MFL and other relevant Zambian partner ministries
• You will work closely with the existing Agri-Food Cluster team in Eastern Province and beyond to ensure that GIZ takes a coherent approach to agriculture and food and nutrition security in all areas of work
• You will support the project management of (1) the GIZ Climate-Resilient Agri-Food Systems (CREATE) project and (b) the Zambian country contribution of the Global Project (GP)
  “Sustainable Agricultural Systems and Policies” (AgSys) in the coherent implementation of the
  contracted service delivery by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and consultancies
• You will ensure a professional external presentation of the agri-food cluster and support corresponding communication measures. Among others, you will support the content-related and logistical preparation of high-level events and meetings in Eastern Province together with the MoA

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in agriculture, Agribusiness or related field

Professional experience

• At least 4 years professional and relevant experience in working on food and nutrition security, agricultural production and agricultural value chain development topics
• At least 3 years of professional experience in the field of development cooperation, in advising partner ministries on sustainable agricultural and food systems (national and provincial level)

Other knowledge and additional competences

• Demonstrable excellent advisory, facilitation and presentation skills and good understanding of policy formulation and implementation processes within the field of food and nutrition security
• High degree of technical knowledge on sustainable agri-food sytems in general and climate resilient as well as nutrition-sensitive agriculture in particular
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, ability to work effectively in a multicultural and multidisciplinary team, experience in the organization of events
• Ability to work independently and target-oriented with demonstrated project management skills, very good organisational skills as well as prioritisation capabilities in a fast paced, dynamic environment
• Excellent analytical, strategic and conceptual skills
• Fluency in English and Chinyanja (oral and written)
• Very good working knowledge of ICT technologies and computer applications (MS Word, Outlook, Excel, Teams, PowerPoint)

The successful candidate will be expected to start employment with GIZ, on a fixed term contract.