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 (2022) and reported a turnover of EUR 58 m in 2021. 

We are offering a project-based consultancy assignment as National Project Coordinator (m/f/d) 

The Project 

GIZ has been commissioned with the implementation of the project “Private Sector Development in Ethiopia” (PSD-E). PSD-E aims to benefit small and medium-sized enterprises, start-ups and small growth-oriented companies from improved growth opportunities. The target groups are owners and employees of SMEs, start-ups and small growth-oriented companies. This shall be achieved through five Outputs: (1) Institutional, human resource and technical strengthening of relevant public institutions, (2) Capacity enhancing of chambers and associations, (3) Strengthening the capacities and services of intermediaries in the innovation ecosystem, (4) Strengthening the capacity of private & public business development service providers, (5) Direct support to MSMEs and entrepreneurs affected by conflicts and crises. 

This proposal is integrated into Output 5 of PSD-E. The objective of output 5 is to enable MSMEs and entrepreneurs (with employment potential) to cope with the effects of conflicts and crises. This will be reached by:

• Direct technical, financial and material support of conflict- and crisis-affected MSMEs for the preservation of their business, jobs or income (business continuity), recovery and resilience of the business (business recovery) and by creating perspectives for vulnerable groups.

• MSMEs and entrepreneurs benefit from improved growth opportunities, e.g., businesses report a real increase in their sales.

• MSMEs and entrepreneurs (with employment potential) affected by conflicts and crises are strengthened and their employees benefit from new employment, secured employment, increased income and/or secured income. 

In this framework sequa implements a SME Grant Scheme that shall provide financial and technical support to companies for capacity building and provide grants for upgrading equipment and production facilities. It targets to improve market competitiveness by focusing on three major aspects: 

• Increasing the competitiveness of SMEs e.g., by improving product quality and quantities, production performance and supporting marketing and sales activities. 

• Boosting management capacities in various management areas of SMEs such as HR, financial, sales/marketing, production, organizational, innovation and strategic management, to overcome bottle necks and support faster growth, better product quality and higher efficiency in production and management.

• Creating business linkages in national and international markets to create national clusters and to expand sales markets. 

The Grant Scheme primarily targets SMEs with high growth and employment potential, employing typically between 10 to 50 employees. They must already be established in the local market and offer access to helpful consumer goods or services needed by the crisis-affected population. 

Through the scheme sequa targets to support 25 Ethiopian SMEs. 

Your Tasks / Responsibilities 

• Steer sequa’s technical project team in Addis Ababa;   

• Conceptualize the SME Grant Scheme according to approved project description;

• Be the main focal person for capacity building program with SMEs;

• Establish contacts with EED and SMEs and relevant networks;

• Be the main contact person for all communication with the relevant private and public stakeholders (especially EED and GIZ);

• Conceptualize, prepare and assure quality assignments and missions conducted by short-term experts. Lead in the identification of national and international experts;

• Support the functioning of administration and finance, procurement and office management in compliance with organizational procedures, donor requirements and the law of the country;

• Create procurement notes for the assignment of short-term consultants and companies according the predetermined (GIZ/ sequa) procurement rules;

• Monitor progress and report delivery on executed activities;

• Cooperate and coordinate activities with the relevant structures of GIZ PSD-E project;

• Communicate, report to and coordinate with the Team Leader and Project Director. 

Assignment Period: 01.11.2022 – 30.06.2024 (expected) 

Working time scope: 40/h per week, full time  

Project: “SME Grant Facility” in GIZ’s “Private Sector Development Ethiopia” (PSD-E) Programme 

Job Requirements

Your Qualification / Skills

• University degree in a related field such as business management, business administration, strategy, economics, project management; 

• Fluent in English and Amharic, potentially Oromia. 

• Strong communication skills;

• Good presentation skills;

• Full computer literacy; 

• Outstanding writing and reporting skills in English;

• Good working knowledge of ICT/IT- communication technologies and MS Office (MS Excel and MS Outlook, in particular). 

Your Working Experience

• 10+ years’ experience as project manager in (international) development programs

• 5+ years private sector experience

• Experience in successfully managing and coaching of SMEs/ businesses related projects

• Relevant university degree, e.g. management studies, project management, economics

• Fluent in Amharic and English

• Added skills: previous experience with GIZ/sequa, relevant sector experience according to the three selected business segments: (1) Basic food, (2) WASH and (3) Logistic and transportation, experience in M&E of projects 

How to Apply

Submit your Cover Letter, CV in the EuropeAid format, relevant resumes & salary expectations via email: vacancies.eth@sequa.de

Note: The CV template can be downloaded through THISLINK & write "National Project Coordinator” in the subject line of the email!