Agriculture Specialist - Bioeconomy Expert

Internal /External Announcement

GIZ –InS DBFZ ETH-Soil

Announcement Number 004/24

Field of activity

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH (English: German Corporation for International Cooperation GmbH), often shortened to simply GIZ, is a German development agency that provides services in the field of international development cooperation and international education work. GIZ's main commissioning party is Germany's Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). Other commissioners include European Union institutions, the United Nations, the private sector, and governments of other countries. 

The ETH-Soil project, commissioned by the German Biomass Research Centre) Deutsches Biomasserforschungszentrum, (DBFZ) aims to advance an efficient use of organic/agricultural residues or biofertilizer production and the regeneration of degraded tropical soil. Scientific evidence guides the production of high-quality biochar and biochar based fertilizer. It is stepwise expanded in collaboration with the project partners. The establishment, adaptation or expansion of qualification options for technical experts, academics and private sector actors as well as the construction of pyrolysis, composting and biogas plants serve to strengthen the technical capacity for biofertilizer production and autonomy in Ethiopia. Moreover, the development/optimization of mobile pyrolysis units and low emission cookstoves as well as competence building on biogas also address the lack of energy in rural areas. Food-insecure smallholder farmers are the ultimate target group with due attention to gender differences and equality. Project activities started in Oromia and are to be selectively extended to Sidama. 

In Sidama, ETH Soil project partners will first explore the potential for biochar production and optimised composting activities. First is the identification of suitable agricultural residues biomass, that is low in nutrients and suitable for thermo-chemical conversion into biochar. Though coffee husks are widely available, they are rather unsuitable for thermal conversion. 

Pruning in Sidama’s agroforestry systems, maize cobs, avocado and fruit kernels may be considered. Project activities are collaborative efforts with farming communities to organize waste streams, biomass preprocessing, biochar-based fertilizer production and application. 

Summaries of duties and Responsibility: 

• Under the guidance of the DBFZ-GIZ InS Project Coordinator in Addis Abeba, the incumbent of this position has the following main responsibilities: 

• Organization and coordination of the project activities in Sidama with activities in Oromia, in cooperation with the Bureau of Agriculture Sidama and farming communities in the pilot Woredas. 

• Exploration of the potential for biochar production and optimization of composting activities in pilot Woredas. 

• Analysis of farm practices currently in use for soil preservation and organic fertilization in the pilot Woredas. 

• Analysis of the costs and benefits of different technical and organizational biomass preprocessing options. 

• Evaluation of the volumes and suitability of specific agricultural residues/waste streams. 

• Facilitation of biomass/biochar/fertilizer testing by Ethiopian / German laboratories. 

• Facilitation of the work of German short-term experts with different assignments. 

• Support to project management activities of the overall project, incl. activity and financial monitoring, reporting of project activities as well as administrative tasks. 

• Occasionally /business travels to Addis Ababa will require.

Anticipated start date: as soon as possible 

– 50% Part Time

Required No.  -             One (1) 

Duty Station   -             Hawassa – Dale,Dara

Application Deadline -   02 September 2024

Date Issued              -     30 September 2024

Type of Contract     -           50%

Your profile

Professional competences

• Master's degree or equivalent in agricultural economist agricultural engineering, natural resource protection or related sciences. 
• Good knowledge of Sidama farming systems, natural conditions, and agricultural extension practices
• At least 5 years of work experience in his/her technical profession after the first graduation, preferably including activities in specific crops’/products’ value chain buildup, or agricultural extension, or the promotion of
• innovative agricultural practices/products, or participatory research on rural households’ food and energy security.
• at least 2 years of project management experience (can be a small project) – preferably in an NGO or foreign Donor or private sector context.
• Independent task planning, monitoring of risks to project implementation and prioritization of activities in line with agreed objectives and strategies.
• Good knowledge of project management and financial management is an advantage.
• Previous work experience with German donors is an asset. / Previous GIZ experience is an asset.

Language skills

• Fluency in Sidaminya.
• Amharic comparable to level B2
• English comparable to level B2/C1 spoken and written

Social skills

• Experience with intercultural stakeholder management in Ethiopia with stron relationship management and communication skills, particularly in engaging with Ethiopian stakeholders and both national and regional government level.
• Very good organizational and analytical skills.
• Negotiation skills, assertiveness, and adaptability.
• Very good oral and written language skills towards very diverse target groups and stakeholders in the project context.
• Quality orientation and commitment to continues improvement.
• Very good oral and written language skill.

How To Apply

Please send your full application to: insethr@giz.de before the application deadline.

Your application must include the following documents:

1. Your most recent and up to date CV (max. 2 pages).
2. Your cover letter, mentioning the position title for which you are applying in the document title (max. 1 page).
3. At least 2 nominated supporting references with contact details.

All documents should be merged into a single PDF file and should not exceed 3MB in size. 

Due to the usual high volume of applicants for GIZ positions, only short-listed applicants will be contacted. Late submissions or incomplete applications will not be taken into consideration.

GIZ is an equal opportunity employer!