Background information about the job or company (e.g., role context, company overview)

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.

In Zambia GIZ implements its activities through various projects and programmes. One of these projects is the Sustainable Agricultural Systems and Policies (AgSys) project under the Agriculture and Food Security Cluster. AgSys is a global project of German development cooperation supporting partners in nine countries and at the regional level in reform processes towards sustainable agricultural systems in line with CAADP principles.

To strengthen the transformative effect of these reforms AgSys on the country level focusses on up to 5 outputs. These outputs are closely interlinked: (1) Support to prioritized national agricultural policies and strategies (2) Support for Scaling of successful local practices (3) Involvement of non-state actors, in particular women and young people, and including private sector, civil society and academia in policy reforms, (4) Strengthening financing for sustainable agriculture (5) Linking partners and initiatives of the national, regional and global level for mutual support. As part of the first output, AgSys is supporting the domestication of CAADP in Zambia.

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

Agricultural Policy Advisor (Salary Band 4) – based in Lusaka

REF: GIZ_ AgSys _APA

Responsibilities or duties

Policy Advisory Support

• Support GIZ Zambia’s contribution to the inclusive implementation of the Kampala agenda, taking into account the national perspective and the need and perspectives of women, youths and non-state actors, through presentations, targeted communication, and knowledge dissemination and inclusive advisory
• Support the Agri-Food Cluster in ensuring cluster contributions to the Kampala agenda in Zambia are well documented through collaboration with advisors from other cluster projects
• In consultation with the Component Manager Policy, advise the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) and take on a coordinating role vis-à-vis partner ministries, local governments, relevant authorities, associations as well as non-governmental actors on issues related to agricultural policy and the transformation of agrifood systems in Zambia
• Contribute to GIZ input in the analysis, drafting and design of national policies, strategies and frameworks related to the transformation of agrifood systems in Zambia
• Support the design and facilitation of stakeholder dialogues, policy discussions and inter-sectoral coordination processes in the agriculture space in Zambia
• Assist in identifying opportunities for the Sustainable Agricultural Systems and Policies (AgSys) project participation in sustainable agrifood systems in Zambia
• Work closely with the project Policy Advisor on Agriculture Finance and the project Advisor on Gender and Civil Society inclusion to ensure policy interventions take into account sustainable financing mechanisms, and social and CSO inclusion

Stakeholder Management

• Work closely with the MoA and MFL team and engage local and national stakeholders (government, public and private) at all levels as agreed with the Component Manager Policy
• Working closely with the Component Manager Policy, build and maintain mutually beneficial relationships between the AgSys project, Agri-Food Cluster Team and the MoA, MFL as well as other relevant Zambian partner ministries and cooperating partners working in policy

Capacity Development

• Maintain close relations with MoA and other relevant government partners to identify capacity building needs in line with project mandate
• Support the organization of trainings, workshops, and technical exchange formats on evidence-based policy development and financing mechanisms

Project Planning and Knowledge Management

• Support with input in Project planning and monitoring as needed by management.
• Support knowledge management processes, including documentation of activities as guided by the project M and E and Component Manager, lessons learned, good practices and success stories during activity implementation
• Work in consultation with the best practice team to ensure key lessons and policy briefs developed are in consultation with relevant ministries and other relevant organizations

Qualifications or requirements (e.g., education, skills)

• Minimum of a Degree in Agriculture, Agribusiness, Agriculture Economics, Public policy or related field. Masters is an added advantage.
• Applicant must be a member of the Agricultural Institute of Zambia (AIZ) with a valid practicing certificate.
• Applicants are expected to have their academic certificates verified by Zambia Qualifications Authority (ZAQA).
• Demonstrate 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 systems 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 organizational skills as well as prioritization capabilities in a fast paced, dynamic environment.
• Excellent analytical, strategic and conceptual skills
• Very good working knowledge of ICT technologies and computer applications (MS Word, Outlook, Excel, Teams, PowerPoint).

Experience needed

• Minimum of 6 years professional and relevant experience in agricultural policy, rural development or food security.
• Demonstrate experience and understanding of CAADP process at national level.
• At least 2 years of professional experience in the field of development cooperation in advising partner ministries on sustainable agriculture and food systems or working with partner ministries in agriculture and food systems.

Any other provided details (e.g., benefits, work environment, team info, or additional notes)

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

GIZ is a signatory of the Diversity Charter. Recognition, appreciation and inclusion of diversity in the company are important to us. All employees shall be valued - regardless of gender and gender identity, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, social background or age.

GIZ would like to increase the proportion of employees with disability. People with disabilities are strongly enc

• Support GIZ Zambia’s contribution to the inclusive implementation of the Kampala agenda, taking into account the national perspective and the need and perspectives of women, youths and non-state actors, through presentations, targeted communication, and knowledge dissemination and inclusive advisory
• Support the Agri-Food Cluster in ensuring cluster contributions to the Kampala agenda in Zambia are well documented through collaboration with advisors from other cluster projects
• In consultation with the Component Manager Policy, advise the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) and take on a coordinating role vis-à-vis partner ministries, local governments, relevant authorities, associations as well as non-governmental actors on issues related to agricultural policy and the transformation of agrifood systems in Zambia
• Contribute to GIZ input in the analysis, drafting and design of national policies, strategies and frameworks related to the transformation of agrifood systems in Zambia
• Support the design and facilitation of stakeholder dialogues, policy discussions and inter-sectoral coordination processes in the agriculture space in Zambia
• Assist in identifying opportunities for the Sustainable Agricultural Systems and Policies (AgSys) project participation in sustainable agrifood systems in Zambia
• Work closely with the project Policy Advisor on Agriculture Finance and the project Advisor on Gender and Civil Society inclusion to ensure policy interventions take into account sustainable financing mechanisms, and social and CSO inclusion
• Work closely with the MoA and MFL team and engage local and national stakeholders (government, public and private) at all levels as agreed with the Component Manager Policy
• Working closely with the Component Manager Policy, build and maintain mutually beneficial relationships between the AgSys project, Agri-Food Cluster Team and the MoA, MFL as well as other relevant Zambian partner ministries and cooperating partners working in policy
• Maintain close relations with MoA and other relevant government partners to identify capacity building needs in line with project mandate
• Support the organization of trainings, workshops, and technical exchange formats on evidence-based policy development and financing mechanisms
• Support with input in Project planning and monitoring as needed by management.
• Support knowledge management processes, including documentation of activities as guided by the project M and E and Component Manager, lessons learned, good practices and success stories during activity implementation
• Work in consultation with the best practice team to ensure key lessons and policy briefs developed are in consultation with relevant ministries and other relevant organizations

• Demonstrate 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 systems 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 organizational skills as well as prioritization capabilities in a fast paced, dynamic environment.
• Excellent analytical, strategic and conceptual skills
• Very good working knowledge of ICT technologies and computer applications (MS Word, Outlook, Excel, Teams, PowerPoint).

• Minimum of a Degree in Agriculture, Agribusiness, Agriculture Economics, Public policy or related field. Masters is an added advantage.
• Applicant must be a member of the Agricultural Institute of Zambia (AIZ) with a valid practicing certificate.
• Applicants are expected to have their academic certificates verified by Zambia Qualifications Authority (ZAQA).