Macro-economic Advisor Full Time NEW

Macro-economic Advisor

The SRVC II project is a comprehensive agricultural value chain development (VCD) project, working along selected agricultural value chains in the horticulture and oilseeds sub-sectors. The project aims to strengthen private sector development, supply chain management and post-harvest management. It works with various public and private partners, including agricultural input and service providers, agricultural producers and processors as well as business associations to foster public-private collaboration and dialogue (PPD). In addition to and beyond selected value chains, the project aims to support federal partners with agricultural policy development and inter-sectoral coordination for Ethiopia’s agricultural sector to fulfill its potential to provide food security, employment and supply high quality food to local and international markets.

The project is structured into three integrated components focusing on oilseeds, horticulture and coffee value chain development, respectively. The latter will be financed by the European Union, to be implemented jointly with Spain and Italy within a Multi-Partner Contribution Agreement (MPCA). This will focus on coffee VCD and EUDR compliance, aiming for Ethiopian coffee producers and exporters to reach EU markets. For the horticulture component the project has received additional funds from the Gates Foundation to support horticulture value chain development in the Arba Minch-Addis Ababa corridor, was well as in Kenya and Uganda. This will be implemented in close collaboration with the Ethiopian Horticulture Association EHPEA and partly through the promotion of contract farming in the corridor.

Within all three components, the project seeks to inform project activities and provide evidence for partner support through a comprehensive understanding of macroeconomic dynamics and developments, including regarding global developments in supply chains and market access, or local and regional developments of ths security situation.

This additional position primarily serves this purpose, as well as that of other GIZ projects in Ethiopia also working on economic and private-sector development and requiring similar expertise. This position is initially limited until 12-2027 but can be extended until mid-2029 or beyond

• Conceiving, initiating, planning, and implementing or supervising macro-economic analyses of the relevant sectors (oilseed, horticulture and coffee) at national, regional and international level and its influence on project implementation.
• Analysis of business environment, investment climate and business models, including cost-benefit analysis of value addition, processing, certification and other business developments.
• Analysis of security situation and the fragile regional context and its impact on project planning and implementation
• Analysis of local and reginal geo-political developments, including religious, social and cultural aspects, as they pertain to project objectives.
• Engage with project team, managers, (political) partners and stakeholders to provide expertise and advice, as needed.
• Contribute to project implementation, event organization, knowledge management and M&E, as needed

Qualifications

• Master degree in International Relations, Politics, Economics, Policy, Journalism, Business logistics or other relevant subjects.

Professional experience

• Minimum of 10 years of professional experience
• Minimum of 5 years working in an analytical capacity on economic and private sector development
• Experience in formulating policy advice, engaging with policy makers and within the agricultural sector
• University studies abroad or 3 years work experience abroad or 3 years work experience in Ethiopia with international organizations, institutions or companies
• Technical understanding of agricultural value and supply chains, export market access and investments in agricultural sector.
• Experience working in research institutions and publication of research papers or analyses

Other knowledge, additional competencies

• Proven analytical and conceptual skills as a strategic and visionary thinker.
• Effective communication skills, oral and written, to diverse audiences.
• Cultural sensitivity and inter-personal skills. Ability work both independently and as a team player.
• Fluency in English, working knowledge of Amharic. Another local Ethiopian language such as Afan Oromo or Tigrinya would be an asset.
• Excellent computer skills especially MS Office applications (MS Teams, outlook, word, excel, PowerPoint)