Information Services Specialist

ABOUT RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE (RTI)

Research Triangle Institute (RTI) has over 30 years of experience assisting governments, communities, and the private sector. As a not-for-profit, an independent research institute based in North Carolina, USA, RTI has roughly 5,000 employees with global experience implementing international development projects. RTI's Sustainable Growth & Resilience (SG&R) technical unit within the International Development Group brings together RTI experts and capabilities across food security, agriculture, energy, environment, water, governance, and economic opportunity. SG&R will leverage RTI's experience designing and delivering multisectoral programming and technical solutions to respond to climate change, build resilience, and promote economic growth around the world.

ABOUT SG&R’s Global Food Security and Agriculture portfolio

SG&R’s Global Food Security and Agriculture portfolio is working to strengthen agricultural markets, engage youth and women as critical leaders of the on- and off-farm workforce, and tackle the dual burden of malnutrition around the globe. RTI’s work is helping foster stronger food systems, reduce malnutrition in all its forms, build resilience and engage the next generation of food security leaders. RTI is currently partnering on nearly 30 projects in East Africa, including activities focused on private sector-driven agricultural growth in Rwanda and market systems development in Kenya.

ABOUT FIRST CONSULT

First Consult is a leading economic development consulting firm implementing projects in Ethiopia. Founded in 2006, First Consult (FC) has grown to design and implement projects across the agriculture, manufacturing, and service sectors. Our multidisciplinary teams combine a capacity to execute with clarity of the local context. As a result, we have delivered at-scale real impact in terms of jobs & wealth creation, business formation & growth, and investment attraction & mobilization.

ABOUT THE PROJECT/PROGRAM

The purpose of the USAID/Ethiopia Food and Agriculture Systems Transformation (FAST) Activity is to increase access to healthy diets, particularly for women and children, by improving competitiveness, inclusiveness, and resilience of the Ethiopian food and agriculture system. FAST will also increase incomes gained from agriculture by as much as 40 percent over the next five years. To achieve its goals FAST must collaborate intensively with other USAID-funded projects working in the food and agriculture sector.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Information Services Specialist, based at the head office in Addis Ababa, is responsible for the Availability of accurate, up-to-date and timely information that will assist the project and its partners to make an informed decision on project activities. The Information Service Specialist will take the lead in collecting, analyzing and disseminating historical and current data on commodity prices, production & trade volumes, imports and exports and any other market-related information as required by the project. The Information Service Specialist will support business on the development of user-friendly on-line marketing platform that will help to increase sales and business transactions.

The incumbent will be the primary point of contact for availing and analyzing market information in relation to the target commodity value chains. The Information Service Specialist conduct, periodically, analysis of information including domestic and international price data, commodity production and trade volumes and other related data and share this with partners and actors in the value chain through publication, workshops and briefing flyers.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Collaborate with producer organizations to get access to data that could be used to improve yields and incomes, and reduce risk (information on the use of inputs, yields, market prices, and weather data)
• Responsible for electronic record keeping being able to leverage those records to access finance and insurance directly from the private sector.
• Support producer organizations in using record keeping accessing finance, insurance.
• Producers learn to use data to make decisions on inputs/yields and use records to access finance/insurance.
• Producers learn to use market data to make informed decisions about whether to sell or store products and where to take products to market for the best price.
• Researches and collects data through regular market visits; access online sources; conducts structured interviews; and other instruments, including liaising with public institutions like the Ministry of Trade, ECX, CSA, EGTE, trade Associations and others to produce and distribute regular price and other market information to project beneficiaries.
• Supporting data analysis and visualization as part of regular staff updates and quarterly performance reports.
• Support mobile based platform using IVR (Interactive Voice Response) systems so as producers can have easy access on real time market information.
• Establish a market database on different sources and support target users in the association and private sector including unions and agro-dealers.
• Support real time disease notification system for ETA nutritious and income commodities in collaboration with Federal MoA and Regional BoA.
• Records and compiles market information related to domestic and international commodity prices, production, and trade for target value chain commodities using an electronic format.
• Analyze and facilitate market information systems using existing web-based sites, and associations' forums targeting the objective of the activity. 
• Support the agricultural market information system of the MOA and Associations.
• Facilitates archival and retrieval of market data and information and facilitates ease of access to share with internal and external users. 
• Processes and summarizes market data using spreadsheet and statistical soft wares.
• Works closely with the markets and policy analyst regarding market-related issues in the preparation of reports as necessary.
• Train producer organizations/ coops/ unions on electronic record keeping (excel based or app-based) and provide access to market information on pricing, buyers, weather data, etc.
• Liaises with the activity of Regional Offices in the collection and dissemination of market information for partners, and beneficiaries.
• Responsible to provide Up-to-date market and related information.
• Create an online platforms for businesses on food safety and quality such as HACCP, SOP, GHP etc that ultimately will increase consumers’ confidence and preference.
• Promote adoption of mobile phones and social media-based market information systems to improve information on pricing.
• Performs additional duties as assigned. 

REQUIRED SKILLS, QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE 

• A bachelor's degree (or higher) in Market Information Systems (MIS), Agricultural Information Communication Management, computer science, computer systems engineering, software engineering, or a related discipline from a recognized university/college.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience with USAID compliance and reporting requirements.
• Experience in Market information system (MIS), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Market Systems Development (MSD) and private sector engagement. Understanding and working in the agribusiness sector is a plus.
• In-depth familiarity with, understanding of, and ability to successfully navigate within the Ethiopian context in the agricultural sector is preferred.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving capacities – ability to identify issues with contractual implications, ensure consistent donor reporting and support teams in providing appropriate analyses of activities.
• Good interpersonal skills and a good team player.
• Ability to work independently and should delegated authority.
• Strong technical and analytic capacities and sound judgment.
• Professional fluency in English (both spoken and written) and additional local language is a plus.
• Excellent computer skills; Good proficiency in Microsoft Office.

How To Apply

The applicant is required to carry out his/her duties in accordance with First Consult’s Safeguarding policy and the Code of conduct. All applicants should be aware that our organization is committed to safeguard our programme participants, staff, representatives of the organization and community members we work with is our top priority in everything we do, including recruitment. By applying, you acknowledge and agree to adhere the First Consult recruitment procedure in which all offers are subject to satisfactory background checks. By submitting your application, you consent to the use of your personal data for recruitment purposes. All documents requested by First Consult at various stages of the recruitment process will be used for this purpose only. Competent candidates should submit their one-page cover letter and updated CVs only to: jobs@firstconsultet.com before June 14, 2024. Candidates MUST refer to the position title " Information Services Specialist" in the subject line of their email and applications.