Private Sector Development (PSD) Advisor

Cluster or office-Economic Transformation Cluster

Duty station-Semera, Afar

Contract duration-30.11.2027

Ethiopia is undergoing a major economic shift away from a state-led economic model towards a more liberal, market-based one. This transformation is driven by Ethiopia’s Homegrown Economic Reform Agenda 2.0 (HGER 2.0) and accompanying macroeconomic reforms initiated by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which aim to promote private sector-led economic growth, achieve macroeconomic stabilization, and initiate structural transformations. This includes the liberalization of key sectors, the promotion of foreign investment, and the integration of Ethiopia into the global economy.

The project “Private Sector Development in Ethiopia” (PSD-E), implemented by GIZ on behalf of the German Government and co-financed by the European Union and the Netherlands, contributes to Ethiopia’s reform efforts to promote private sector-led economic transformation. The project specifically aims to strengthen the Ethiopian private sector to become more competitive and resilient. This is achieved by strengthening the competitiveness and sustainability of local transformative companies with high growth potential and scalable business models, start-ups in the growth phase, and other MSMEs – especially those acting as service providers, suppliers, or customers of transformative companies.

In addition to Addis Ababa, the project implements measures in the regional states of Afar, Amhara, and Tigray.

The component “support for recovery of MSMEs in (post-) conflict regions in Ethiopia”, under PSDE aims to directly support MSMEs and entrepreneurs in Afar, Amhara and Tigray affected by recent domestic conflicts or global crisis. The businesses are enabled through different support measures like business development skills training and coaching/mentoring to sustain their business operations, to ensure the recovery and even future resilience of their companies. Through specific finance training and matchmaking with financial service providers, businesses shall become creditworthiness and able to obtain third party funding.

In Afar region, the project supports the Afar Women Entrepreneurs Association (AfWEA), a membership-based organization established in 2023 by a group of women business leaders to promote women’s entrepreneurship, strengthen women’s participation in the private sector, and foster a more inclusive business environment. AfWEA has received targeted technical assistance, coaching, and training in strategic planning, sustainability frameworks, financial management, and membership administration. The association has been a key partner in the implementation our women economic empowerment schemes and have facilitated engagement with both women entrepreneurs and local actors.

The PSD Advisor for this position works in close cooperation and under the technical supervision of the Component Manager for Output 4. The project is looking for a dynamic, pro-active PSD Advisor in Afar to be based in Semera with expertise in private sector development, business membership organizations, business development services, and access to finance for MSMEs to support the implementation of interventions under the recovery support for MSMEs.

• Provide project management support to the successful implementation of the Recovery Support in Afar, including: steering of contracts with implementing partners, development of operational plans, monitoring of budget, etc.
• Support AfWEA in planning and delivering key activities for women entrepreneurs, including trainings, mentorship sessions, networking events, and community outreach.
• Support AfWEA in advancing its organizational growth by expanding membership, building partnerships, engaging stakeholders, and mobilizing resources to ensure long-term sustainability.
• Work closely with AfWEA to strengthen its day-to-day operations, internal coordination, planning and reporting, and service delivery to members across Afar Region.
• Monitor and advice on wider regional trends in the area of business development services, access to finance, support for (conflict affected) MSMEs; keep track of new developments in the regional ecosystem, prioritize and present to the team, identify and assess new opportunities for the project.
• Liaise with public and private stakeholders; present and represent the PSD-E project (Recovery support for MSMEs) in meetings and discussions with other stakeholders.

Any other responsibilities upon demand

Qualifications

• MA in Economics, Finance, Business Administration, Private Sector Development
• Excellent knowledge of Afar, Amharic and English language both in speaking and writing.

Professional experience

• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in the field of private sector development with a focus on MSMEs, BDS, Access to Finance, direct experience in business membership organizations (associations) is an asset
• Minimum of 3 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 in Ethiopia and especially in Afar in particular the market for finance and BDS
• Specialized experience in one or several of the following fields is a big asset: business linkages, business continuity management, green economy, investment planning and management, MSME access to financial services, digital transformation of businesses.
• Expertise in approaches to the promotion of women-led businesses and service providers 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 learn and develop your competencies (technical, project management, social, etc.)
• Ability to liaise with different stakeholders, with both public and private sector stakeholders
• High gender awareness and intercultural sensitivity
• Good organizational and project management skills
• Ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure
• Ability to accept constructive feedback
• Good communication and presentation skills

Good IT skills (MS Office, in particular Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Teams)