Regional Expert, Senior MSME Expert Full Time NEW

Consultancy Announcement

sequa gGmbH is a globally operating non-profit development organisation. Since 1991 sequa has carried out programmes and projects of international cooperation in close collaboration with the German private sector. sequa offers know-how and long-term experience in capacity development for chambers and associations (BMOs), vocational education and training, private sector development and trade promotion. The organisation is based in Bonn, Germany. sequa employs more than 100 persons (2023) and reported a turnover of EUR 60 m in 2023.

We are offering a project-based assignment as

Regional Expert, Senior MSME Expert

Location: Hargeisa and Mogadishu, Somalia/Somaliland

Assignment Period: 01.07.2026 to 31.03.2027, up to 60 working days

Project: Upskilling: Modular Training in Green Skills for MSME Employees, GIZ-Programme GIZ TVET II Programme

Job Code: ETH-1182 Consultancy service- Regional Expert, Senior MSME Expert

Background

As part of the GIZ program “Rehabilitation of technical and vocational education and training in Somalia (TVET II)” sequa is implementing an upskilling Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) project in Somalia aimed at improving employability, entrepreneurship, and productivity among youth and adults. The project focuses on Renewable Energy and Agribusiness as high-potential sectors for job creation and economic resilience.

The project aims to enhance practical, market-oriented skills to improve productivity, employment retention, and business growth. Over 100 SMEs employees will be trained over one year at two public TVET Colleges using a competency-based industry aligned approach. To support this initiative, sequa seeks to engage a regional Senior MSMEs Expert to provide technical assistance and quality assurance support to the project

The Project

The overall objective is to contribute to green, inclusive economic growth in Somalia through enhanced workforce skills and improved MSME competitiveness in agriculture and renewable energy. The objective is to strengthen the capacity of MSMEs by equipping their employees with market-relevant skills through short-cycle, modular training in TVET institutions – with a focus on youth, women, and green livelihoods.

The Upskilling Modular “Training in Green Skills” for MSME Employees is enhancing the technical and entrepreneurial skills of 115 employees from at least 40 MSMEs operating in the agriculture and renewable energy sectors anchored in TVETs in Somalia (two public TVET colleges).

The TVET II program is implemented in collaboration with public TVET centres in Somalia to improve technical capacity and employability of 115 employees of Somalian MSMEs in green technologies like solar installation, agro-processing, and irrigation services.

Scope of the Assignment

The overall objective of the assignment is to ensure that the upskilling program remains enterprise driven and contributes to improved MSME productivity, workforce performance, competitiveness and business growth. The expert will facilitate strong linkages between the MSMEs and TVET colleges and support integration of enterprise development perspective into the program in collaboration with the senior TVET expert.

Your Tasks / Responsibilities & Deliverables

Under the supervision of Project Director, the expert will do:

A. MSME Mapping and Engagement

• Identify and profile participating MSMEs in the renewable energy and agribusiness sectors.
• Develop MSME selection and engagement criteria.
• Establish and maintain communication with participating enterprises.
• Strengthen partnerships between MSMEs and participating TVET colleges.

B. MSMEs Skills and productivity needs Assessment

• Conduct enterprise level diagnostics to identify skill gaps, Productivity constraints and operational challenges
• Assess current workforce competencies and training priorities
• Identify critical competencies requiring upskilling
• Produce recommendation to guide training design and delivery

C. Business improvement support

• Develop MSMEs productivity improvement framework
• Identify opportunities for process improvement, quality enhancement, resource optimization, customer service etc.
• Support companies in applying acquired skills

D. Monitoring Business Level Results

• Develop tools to measure enterprise level outcomes
• Track indicators such as employee productivity, adoption of new practice, business growth, customer satisfaction, etc
• Conduct follows up assessment and document outcomes

Your Qualification and Skill

• Master’s in economics, management and related engineering fields
• Minimum 10 years of experience in MSME development and private sector promotion Strong ability to assess, mentor, and accompany MSMEs throughout their capacity building journey.
• Experience in identifying enterprise-level gaps and supporting business improvement.
• Delivers regular coaching visits, supports implementation of business diagnostics, and contributes to MEL activities.
• Works in close collaboration with regional facilitators and technical experts.