1.0 BACKGROUND
1.1 ABOUT EABC
The East African Business Council (EABC) is the apex advocacy body of Private Sector Associations and Corporates from the seven (7) East African Community (EAC) Partner States (Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda). It was established in 1997 to foster the interest of the private sector interests in the EAC integration process. EABC’s vision is borderless East Africa for business and investment with primary mission of promoting sustainable private sector-driven growth. EABC has Observer Status at the EAC level which offers an authentic avenue for advocating for private sector interests in the EAC integration agenda with a view of promoting a conducive business environment in the region.
1.2 ABOUT GIZ-SEAMPEC PROGRAMME
The “Support to East African Market-Driven and People-Centred Integration” programme (SEAMPEC) supports an East African Community (EAC) integration process that focuses on the needs of the private sector as well as on social aspects. It is steered by the EAC Secretariat and implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
SEAMPEC works to improve framework conditions for economic growth in the EAC, e.g., by removing identified trade barriers or assisting the business sector in developing policy recommendations. Furthermore, the programme assists several economic sectors in implementing regional agreements and improving framework conditions for increasing value-addition. In addition, the programme assists in capacity development in the EAC region for selected economic actors such as trade, implementation of regional or continental agreements including African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement.
To enable the EAC private sector, take advantage presented by the regional and continental integration processes, GIZ SEAMPEC Programme has extended support to EABC on Enhancement of Participation of the Private Sector in the EAC and AfCFTA integration Processes. This GIZ-EABC Project is endeavours to support following interventions: (i) Capacity Building on African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement (Trade in Goods & its annexes) to EAC Private Sector Players (ii) Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and Youths; and Support intervention under Investment Climate Reform (ICR) Facility.
As part of this project, EABC’s seeks to enhance participation of the EAC private sector players in the EAC and African Continental integration processes. Key beneficiaries among the private sector include SMEs, Youths and Women in business .
To realise these outcomes, EABC seeks to recruit a SME Expert Development for five months to provide core support to SME, Youth and Women in business activities, enhance project implementation and delivery of results.
2.0 SCOPE OF WORK
The SME Expert will work in partnership with EABC Staff especially Trade and Policy Advisor in implementing SME’s activities under the project and beyond. The main activities include:
Develop annual (2023) Work Plan with supporting budget for SME Platform
Steering and coordinating the activities of the EABC SME Platform,
Take leads in initiating policy reforms aiming at harmonisation of the EAC Partner States’ policies and legislations on SMEs;
Facilitating SMEs, Women and Youths participation in the cross-border trade & investment through strengthen their representation in various dialogues;
Mainstream and increase the participation of the SMEs, Women and Youths in the development of relevant policies and regulations;
Take a lead in organizing a Regional Workshop for SMEs & Youth Entrepreneurs which will develop harmonised policy brief(s) for SMEs and Youth Entrepreneurship in EAC;
Oversee and coordinate programs between EABC and Development Partners which are related to SMEs, Youths and Women in Business.
3.0 DELIVERABLES
The key deliverables include:
Annual Work Plan with supporting budgets for SME Platform.
Harmonised Policy brief for SMEs and Youth Entrepreneurs in EAC emanating from consultative workshop
Report of the regional workshop for SMEs & Youth Entrepreneurs:
Monthly and midterm reports detailing the overall project work: activities, and outcomes as per TMEA’s reporting template.
End of term contract report detailing the overall project work; activities and results as per GIZ reporting template.
TIMELINE
The assignment should take a total of 4 months for months of January to April 2023.
4.0 REPORTING LINES
The Short Term SME Expert will report to the EABC Executive Director.
5.0 QUALIFICATIONS
A suitable candidate should hold the following qualifications and key competencies:
a) Academic and Professional Experience: An advanced university degree in Economics, Social Sciences, International Trade, International Trade Law and or policy or any other relevant field is required. A first degree in combination with five years and above qualifying experience will be considered in place of an advanced degree.
b) Work Experience: A minimum of five (5) years’ experience in policy dialogue, research or policy analysis. Experience in policy dialogue for SME and Business Membership Organisation and knowledge of Private Sector and regional integration would be critical assets
c) Policy Dialogue: Requisite skills to organise Public-Private Dialogue meetings and articulate Private Sector views and concerns. This must be complemented by robust analytical skills to prepare issues, policy briefs, and position papers.
d) Communication and Networking: Ability to speak and write clearly and in a persuasive and compelling manner. Additionally, one must be able to identify key stakeholders; seek their views, correctly interpret their messages and respond appropriately.
e) Teamwork: Working collaboratively with colleagues to achieve project and organisational goals and ability to work in a multinational environment with diverse groups of stakeholders.
f) Languages: Fluency in oral and written English is required as it is the main EAC working language. Good working knowledge of French and Kiswahili will be an advantage.
g) Additional Skills: Excellent computer skills (Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel), Email, analytical tools/software for data analysis, experience in working with internet searches, online databases, and data retrieval) are required.
h) Nationality: The position is only open to nationals and residents of any of the EAC Partner States: Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and South Sudan.
Applicants should submit application letter, certified copies of academic certificates and Curriculum Vitae with email, telephone contacts and three referees.
The applications should be sent via email to procurement@eabc-online.com to reach EABC by 3rd January, 2022. Only applicants who meet the selection criteria are shortlisted will be contacted.
EABC is an equal opportunity employer thus recruitment is on merit and with no regard to one’s age, colour, gender, marital status, disability or impairment, race or creed. Hence, canvassing shall lead to automatic disqualification.
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