Business Enabling Environment Advisor

Company Overview:

Palladium is a global leader in the design, development and delivery of Positive Impact - the intentional creation of enduring social and economic value. We work with foundations, investors, governments, corporations, communities and civil society to formulate strategies and implement solutions that generate lasting social, environmental and financial benefits. 

For the past 50 years, we have been making Positive Impact possible. With a team of more than 2,500 employees operating in 90 plus countries and a global network of more than 35,000 technical experts, Palladium has improved - and is committed to continuing to improve - economies, societies and most importantly, people's lives. 

Palladium is a child-safe organisation, and screens applicants for suitability to work with children. We also provide equal employment to all participants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, veteran or marital status. 

Project Overview and Role:

CATALYZE is a $250 million 5 to 8-year program, designed to catalyze $2 billion in private capital, especially to underfinanced social sectors (such as education) and higher risk countries (especially low-income and post-conflict countries) around the globe, complemented by a cross-cutting inclusion of gender-lens investing. CATALYZE will provide services to many missions and bureaus that “buy in” to tap the CATALYZE investment and pay-for-results project management expertise. Our aim is for investors to explore and find commercially viable opportunities and approaches to creating jobs, developing sustainable social services, tightening and rationalizing supply chains, and advancing inclusive growth. 

CATALYZE: Market Systems for Growth (MS4G) will drive private enterprise expansion to catalyze Ethiopia’s future economic growth and prosperity. MS4G intends to foster enterprise-driven growth, especially among private enterprises that have high growth potential and the capacity to catalyze job creation throughout market systems. MS4G will address systemic challenges, including building business development services capacity, creating a more conducive business environment, building the financial sector infrastructure and capability within private finance providers, and expanding the digital economy. MS4G will catalyze private sector growth by improving access to finance and facilitating transactions through targeted interventions across market systems (demand, supply, and enabling environment).  Expanded access to finance will also drive change across the market system by increasing business revenue and necessitating job creation.  The program has an estimated life of project funding of $55-$70 million, and is expected to operate for five years. 

While focus sectors will be finalized in collaboration with USAID during the inception phase, it is anticipated that they could include agribusiness, light manufacturing, and telecommunications & ICT (including fintech). Across all initiatives, there will be a cross-cutting focus on women and youth, as well as a focus on ensuring that disparate ethnic groups and regions equitably benefit from the interventions.  

 Primary Duties and Responsibilities: 

The Business Enabling Environment (BEE) Advisor will report to the CATALYZE: MS4G Team Lead. S/he will work to enhance the business enabling environment for SMEs to flourish. 

• Responsible for helping to improve the policy and regulatory business enabling environment for SMEs  
• Help simplify registration processes for new businesses 
• Conduct formative research to support policy reform and present to client and stakeholders
• Design and lead activities which improve policies to engage women, youth and vulnerable populations
• Share results and contribute to monitoring, evaluation, and learning with project leadership, Palladium, and USAID
• Support the improved execution of the Business Enabling policy and regulations
• Build capacity of Civil Society Organizations (CSO) BEE advocacy
• Contribute to effective internal and external project communications
• Conduct other duties as assigned. 

Required Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in business, law, economics, or related field  
• Prior experience in a senior level position working on policy and regulatory reform in Ethiopia 
• Prior experience working with SMEs and anchor firms 
• Diplomatic skills and proven ability to work effectively with government and private sector policy reform stakeholders 
• Experience supervising personnel and ensuring they acquire the necessary training and skills to meet evolving program needs 
• Strong leadership, program, organizational management and oral and written communication skills 
• Fluency in English required 

Desired Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in business, law, economics, or related field