I. GENERAL INFORMATION:

TechnoServe's mission is to build businesses that create jobs, income, opportunity, and economic growth in developing countries. Our strategies are based on a market-driven, business-oriented approach employed and refined over the past 40 years. Our employees are at work harnessing the power of private-sector development in some of the world's most impoverished regions.

The Coffee Initiative is a project currently being implemented in East Africa and funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The project aims to help small-scale coffee farmers increase their incomes via improvements in the quality and quantity of coffee they produce. TechnoServe is seeking a Country Director to oversee the successful implementation of the Coffee Initiative in Ethiopia.

II. PRIMARY PURPOSE & FUNCTION:

• Developing, implementing and refining the country coffee program.
• Building the program team and office to execute the program.
• Providing day-to-day leadership and management of the coffee program to execute the coffee strategy in accordance with TechnoServe’s managerial guidelines.

III. KEY ACTIVITIES:

Operations

• Develop, present and implement the annual goals and objectives of the country coffee program to be approved by the Program Director.
• Develop, lead and manage the program on a day-to-day basis, including developing a client business portfolio, managing client performance, monitoring and evaluation, quality and cost-effectiveness control, and developing and managing knowledge.
• Responsible for understanding, implementing, and managing the program’s budget, including ensuring the review and timely submission of all necessary reporting requirements (internal and external).
• Responsible for review and must provide formal concurrence of all financial information, monthly reports, business plans, etc. on a timely basis in accordance with the corporate calendar (monthly office financial reports, internal management memos, salary increases, core indicators, etc.).
• Where there is not a separate TechnoServe Country Program, the Country Coffee Initiative Director:
  • Is responsible for ensuring that TechnoServe is properly registered in the country, that TechnoServe has tax-exempt status where possible, and that TechnoServe is in compliance with all local laws.
  • Is the legal representative of TechnoServe.
  • Represents TechnoServe in all legal matters at the country program level. Any legal actions (potential or active) are to be reported immediately to the Project Director.
  • Manages relationships with financial institutions. With the prior approval from the CFO, the Country Coffee Initiative Director has the authority to open and close bank accounts.
  • Has Power of Attorney to execute all necessary documents in order to conduct day-to-day business operations, with exception of relationships with financial institutions.
  • Is responsible for ensuring the proper acquisition, management and eventual disposition of all TechnoServe operational assets within the country (vehicles, computers, furniture, etc.).

Personnel Management

• Responsible for implementing and evaluating an ongoing professional development program for team.
• Responsible for ensuring mid-year and year-end performance evaluations are conducted with all staff.
• Responsible for recommending and implementing all salary increases for his/her staff on an annual basis based upon performance evaluations and program budget.
• Has authority to hire and fire personnel staff following TechnoServe guidelines.
• Has authority to hire independent consultants following the proper process that requires approval from the Directors of Finance and Human Resources.

Communications

• Communicate progress, learnings and achievements of the program internally and externally.
• Develop, lead and manage coffee regulatory reviews to support the development of a strong enabling environment for the coffee sector.
• Actively engage in coffee industry initiatives and partnerships with key industry stakeholders.
• Develop, maintain and utilize network to support the growth of TNS affiliated businesses and assist TechnoServe in executing its work under the coffee program.
• Communicates internally and externally with local employees, home office and division.

IV. REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree (Master’s degree preferred) in business, agriculture, the sciences or engineering.
• Five plus years of experience in business development and management, business plan design and execution, program design and management, and a good working knowledge of economic development.
• Private sector experience in agriculture, agro-processing or manufacturing.
• Good knowledge of coffee agro-processing, operations and marketing.
• Strong interpersonal and people management skills.
• Strong financial analysis and management.
• Previous development experience.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Advanced computer skills.
• Fluency in English and Amharic.

V. IMPACT:

• Accountable for successful implementation of coffee initiative in Ethiopia.
• Responsible for the overall budget management and efficient use of the program’s resources.

VI. CONTACT INFORMATION:

Please submit a resume, cover letter and salary history to soguin@tns.org. Place position title in the subject line. No phone calls please.

Click here to apply now! TechnoServe is an equal opportunity employer.