Private Sector Development (PSD) Advisor
Private Sector Development in Ethiopia
Contract Duration: September 30, 2024
Application deadline: April 28, 2024
Duty station: Addis Ababa
1. Background
The private sector plays a key role in the ‘Homegrown Economic Reform Agenda’ of the Ethiopian Government. Although SMEs are key players in economic development and job creation, the landscape for the promotion of these target groups and political responsibilities is however much fragmented. In addition, poor legal and regulatory framework conditions and a lack of needs-oriented business development services inhibit the growth opportunities of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), start-ups, and Small & Growing Businesses (SGBs).
The Technical Cooperation project “Private Sector Development in Ethiopia” (PSD-E) aims to improve the growth opportunities of MSMEs, 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 focusing on SMEs, start-ups and SGB by involving the private sector via public-private dialogue formats; 2) Strengthening chambers and associations to improve their range of services including their role as a representative of the private sector; 3) Building the capacity of intermediaries to develop viable innovative and future-oriented organizational and business models to support start-ups and SGBs; 4) Strengthening the market for Business Development Services (BDS) through supply- and demand-side interventions; 5) Direct support to MSMEs and entrepreneurs affected by conflicts and crises.
In addition to Addis Ababa, the project implements measures in the regional states of Amhara, Dire Dawa, Harari, Oromia, Sidama, Somali, and South Ethiopia.
The project has a complex partner structure. It cooperates with Ethiopian public and private institutions, other projects, international consultancies, and international organizations.
The project is looking for a dynamic, proactive PSD Advisor (m/f/d) with expertise in the area of BDS to support the project management of intervention area 4 of PSD-E.
Intervention area 4 aims to strengthen the private BDS market in Ethiopia, notably by improving the quality of the services offered by BDS providers for SMEs. Selected BDSPs are enabled to offer high-quality and needs-oriented consulting services. They are qualified to professionalize their services and obtain international certification in various areas of expertise. The demand for improved services is stimulated through the introduction of a voucher system to provide a partial subsidy to businesses to access certified BDS. In addition, the project conducts awareness-raising measures and provides technical support to the Ethiopian Business Advisory Service Providers Association (EBASPA).
The BDS Advisor of Intervention Area 4 works in close cooperation and under the technical supervision of the Component Manager for Intervention Area 4
Responsibilities and Duties
Required qualifications, competencies, and experience.
Professional experience
Other knowledge, additional competencies