Private Sector Development Advisor 54 views

Private Sector Development Advisor

GIZ-External/Internal Vacancy Announcement #135/2022

Private Sector Development Program (PSD)

The Private sector plays a key role in the ‘Homegrown Economic Reform Agenda’ of the Ethiopian Government. Although small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are key players for economic development and job creation, the enabling environment for this group and political responsibilities are very fragmented. In addition, poor legal and regulatory framework conditions and a lack of needs-oriented services and support programmes inhibit the growth opportunities of SMEs, start-ups, and small and growing businesses (SGBs).

The German Development Cooperation, through the Technical Cooperation project ‘Private Sector Development in Ethiopia’ (PSD-E) aims to improve the growth opportunities of SMEs, start-ups and SGBs and focuses on five intervention areas: 1) Strengthening the institutional capacities of public institutions to improve the legal and regulatory framework by involving the private sector via public private dialogue formats; 2) Strengthening chambers and associations to improve their range of services and advocacy; 3) Strengthening the capacity of intermediaries of the innovation ecosystem; 4) Strengthening Business Development Services (BDS) providers; 5) Direct support to conflict-affected businesses.

The project has a broad partner structure. It cooperates with Ethiopian public and private institutions, other projects, international consultancies and organizations. In addition to Addis Ababa, the project implements measures in the regional states Amhara, Dire Dawa, Harari, Oromia, Sidama, SNNPR, and Somali.

The project is looking for two dynamic, pro-active PSD advisors who will support achieving the objectives of intervention area 5 of the PSD-E project.

Intervention area 5 aims to directly support SMEs and entrepreneurs that are affected by the conflict in the North and international crises such as the pandemic and the war in Ukraine (e.g., through inflation and interrupted supply chains). Affected businesses will be supported regarding business continuity, recovery and resilience, through technical, financial and material support. The ultimate objective is to create positive employment and income effects at supported businesses, while women, young people, and internally displaced people are emphasized. In addition, business models are chosen that predominantly address urgent needs of the broader affected population.

The PSD Advisors of intervention area 5 work in close cooperation and under the technical supervision of the Component Manager for intervention area 5.

Contract duration:                           Until September 30, 2024     

Required Candidates:                      2

Responsibilities:

• Provide expert advice in the fields of business support and employment promotion
• Liaise with public and private stakeholders; present and represent the PSD-E project (intervention area 5) in meetings and discussions with other stakeholders
• Manage the contractual agreement with national and international consultancies (manage weekly meetings, follow-up closely to ensure technical quality and timely financial reporting, facilitate communication and coordination with other stakeholders, etc.)
• Prepare and assess proposals for new contractual arrangements (consultancies or financing/grant agreements), manage the internal process to finalize new contracts in coordination with the contractual partner and other units in GIZ
• Identify synergies with other intervention areas of PSD-E and other projects, exchange new knowledge and ideas frequently with other team members
• Contribute actively in team meetings
• Contribute to internal knowledge management

Qualifications

• Master-level degree in Economics, Finance, Business Administration, or similar
• Excellent knowledge of Amharic and English language both in speaking and writing, German language knowledge is an asset

Professional experience

• Minimum of 7 years of professional experience in the field of private sector development with a focus on SME and/or start-up promotion, of which 4 years in relation to employment promotion
• Minimum of 4 years of project management experience, including the preparation and management of contracts (TOR preparation, proposal development, liaising with contractual partners, etc.)
• Profound knowledge of the private sector, especially SMEs in Ethiopia, its challenges and potentials
• Specialized experience in one or several of the following fields is a big asset: business linkages, business continuity management, business recovery, access to financial services, digital transformation of businesses
• Integration of vulnerable groups
• Expertise in approaches to the promotion of employment for women, young people, and/or migrants (in particular internally displaced people) is an asset
• Relevant professional experience in similar role in GIZ or other international organizations

Other knowledge, additional competencies

• Pro-active work attitude, strong motivation to contribute positively to the team by sharing knowledge, identifying possible efficiency gains, etc.
• Motivated to constantly learn and develop their expert and methodological competencies
• Able to actively liaise with different stakeholders, with both public and private sector stakeholders
• High gender awareness and intercultural sensitivity
• Good organizational and project management skills
• Able to meet deadlines and work under pressure
• Able to accept constructive feedback
• Good communication and presentation skills
• Very good knowledge of IT (E-mail, internet and computer applications such as MS Office, virtual tools for communication and knowledge management)