Consultancy – Policy analysis on the Ethiopian leather sector 84 views0 applications

BACKGROUND

DAI Europe, together with consortium partners First Consult; Enclude; and ITAD, is managing the UK aid-funded program, Enterprise Partners (EP), which aim to support and transform the private sector and Ethiopia’s continued economic growth over seven years.

EP is utilising the Making Markets Work for the Poor approach (M4P) and has two main pillars to achieve the goal of integrating the poor, and especially women, in sustainable economic enterprises that create jobs and improve incomes. The planned impact is to create 45,000 jobs (75% of which will be held by women) and increase the incomes of 65,000 households by at least 20%.

EP’s pillars are:

• The Finance Groupaims to achieve the outcome of increasing investment levels in the Ethiopian economy, particularly for growth-oriented small and medium enterprise. This will include funding of green technologies where appropriate and develop funding for green growth investment. It also includes technical assistance facility to participating financial institutions for two WB-led initiatives, aiming to improve access to finance to SMEs with particular focus on SMEs engaged in manufacturing/agro processing/tour/construction sector and SMEs whole or partly owned by women
• The Agro-Industrial Group is expected to achieve the outcome of increasing returns on investment (productivity) and investment levels in the identified sectors of cotton/textiles, livestock/leather and horticulture, in order to achieve the impact of creating jobs and raising household incomes. Additionally this pillar will incorporate the promotion of climate change awareness and addressing women’s economic empowerment.

Background specific to this assignment

In partnership with Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ethiopian Investment Commission and Leather Industries Development Institute, a national leather sector road map titled ‘’Creating New Productive Capacity for the Leather Industry‘’ is developed. Detailed analysis of the problem, the local and global context as well as country bench marking work has been undertaken in the process. Based on the analysis, recommendations were drawn to enhance the overall productivity, export performance and investment attraction potential of the sector. Initial discussions have been held with key stakeholders and consensus has been reached on the overall content and direction of the roadmap; specifically on the recommendations.

Based on the recommendations forwarded, a direction has been given to turn the draft recommendations into an actionable set of activities with cost benefit analysis, results expected and details of implementation. Hence, the focus of the assignment is on the validation and refinement of the recommendation to ensure swift decision making; no further analysis of the constraints is needed as this has been deeply addressed in the roadmap. The detailed and specific recommendations will be presented to the Ethiopian Investment Board (EIB) for final approval and decision once it has been discussed and validated with all the relevant stakeholders. Hence, it is crucial that each recommendation specifically indicate the kind of action needed and a cost benefit analysis of each action.

PURPOSE

The Consultant is expected to

1. Validate forwarded recommendations with key stakeholders
2. Further breakdown forwarded recommendations with cost benefit analysis and details of implementation

Scope of Work (SoW): The specific assignment for the consultant include the following

1. Understand the full context of the roadmap and validate the findings and recommendations with selected stakeholders
2. Once validated, unpack and break down forwarded recommendations into specific policy actions
3. The specific recommendations should clearly indicate the responsible institution for implementation and follow-up
4. The ‘pros and cons’ of each recommendation should also be clearly indicated along with possible risk mitigation plan
5. Expected results in terms of export gains, employment, investment and other key issues should be clearly indicated as part of the specifics
6. Action points should show all required revisions in the mandate and scope of organizations and institutions, enforcement mechanisms etc…
7. Undertake detailed calculations and estimations to clearly indicate;
8. Cost to be incurred or revenue foregone due to proposed incentives and policy changes
9. Short term and long term gains for the country as a result of incentive packages and policy changes
10. Additional expected investment from the government to ensure successful implementation of the roadmap recommendations etc…
11. Include and/or revise international benchmarks and best practices for each set of specific recommendation and ensure applicability for Ethiopia as a country and the leather sector.

 Specific activities will include but not limited to:

1. Full review of the draft roadmap and related documents
2. Undertake brainstorming session with the roadmap development coordinators and consultants
3. Undertake a desk review of the current context based on the draft recommendations and explore international benchmarks and experiences
4. Development of open ended data collection tools to facilitate the discussion with stakeholders
5. Undertake discussion with key stakeholders and resource persons to further breakdown the recommendations

Develop a detailed analysis of each area of strategic revision and develop detailed (3-5 page) of analysis for each specific recommendation.

WORKING ARRANGEMENTS: EP will sign a milestone based contractual relationship with the selected consultant.

EVALUATION: Enterprise Partners will review the submitted CVs in accordance with the specific qualification and experience requirements and specific tasks listed stated above. Applicants should clearly indicate their experience and previous engagements in line with the specific requirements listed.

TIMEFRAME: the assignment is expected to be completed by March 30, 2019. Detailed number of man days and timeframe for specific deliverables will be negotiated and agreed upon.

The projects are (1) Women Entrepreneurs Development Project (WEDP, 2013 – 2018) and (2) Small and Medium Enterprise Finance Project (SMEFP, 2016 – 2022).

Job Requirements

QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCES REQUIRED

The preferred candidate is expected to fulfil the following criteria:

1. MA degree in Economics with policy, industrialization, trade policy specialization and other related fields
2. Extensive experience in working with manufacturing sectors in Ethiopia and understanding of the export trend, challenges and opportunities (10 years and plus)
3. Experience in working with incentive and facilitation schemes in developing countries in Africa and Asia, in related assignments
4. Specific industrial policy analysis experience in Ethiopia and understanding of the current economic and structural context in the country
5. Detailed understanding of the Ethiopian investment and business climate, leather sector performance and historical and current trends is a plus
6. Excellent communication (both verbal and written) and interpersonal skills

How to Apply

Applicants are expected to submit detailed CV with at least three references; preferably who are testament of the consultants’ performance in the area of investment promotion and facilitation. Applications should be submitted as per the deadline indicated in the advertisement of the post.

Please clearly mark in the subject line ’Development of Specific Recommendations for the Ethiopian Leather Sector Roadmap ’ and email to [email protected] .

Qualified women are highly encouraged to apply.

No phone calls please.