Key Expert “Capital markets and SME finance” – Inclusive Capital Markets for Youth and Women Entrepreneurs in Ethiopia (M/W)

Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Organization: Expertise France

Deadline: 17 November 2025, 09:00

Job Description

Mission description

As the Key Expert on Capital markets and SME finance for the project “Inclusive Capital Markets for Youth and Women Entrepreneurs in Ethiopia”, you will serve as the coordinator for first component of the project. You will provide strategic and technical support to the Ethiopian Capital Market Authority (ECMA) and other relevant institutions to build their capacity to design, regulate, and implement MSME-friendly capital market solutions. This includes designing support mechanisms for SMEs, enabling alternative finance channels, and promoting innovative instruments such as crowdfunding, blended finance, and public offerings tailored for SMEs. This position will be reporting to the project Team Leader.

Key Responsibilities include:

Technical Leadership and Implementation

Serve as the primary technical expert for Output 1 and ensure alignment of all activities with project goals and stakeholder needs;
Lead the design and delivery of technical assistance to institutional stakeholders and ensure high-quality, results-driven delivery of activities related to SME access to capital markets;
Support the operationalisation of the IPO Clinic at ECMA to help SMEs prepare for listing and improve investment readiness.
Design and deliver capacity-building and training programs for ECMA, ESX, AABE, and other relevant institutions focused on SME engagement, capital markets regulation, and financial innovation.
Provide expert input into the design of SME financing schemes, including alternative financing mechanisms such as crowdfunding, venture capital, and blended finance.
Deliver workshops, coaching, and advisory services to enhance public institutions’ capacity to design and regulate inclusive financial instruments.
Ensure that all technical assistance, training activities, and advisory services systematically integrate a gender-sensitive and ESG lens, promoting inclusive and sustainable capital market development.
Provide ongoing regulatory and policy advice to ECMA and other key stakeholders to foster MSME inclusion within Ethiopia’s capital markets.
Ensure coherence with parallel initiatives in financial sector development and SME support.

Consultant Management & Operational Coordination

Coordinate the work of short-term technical consultants engaged under Output 1, including drafting terms of reference, reviewing deliverables, and ensuring alignment with project objectives.
Liaise regularly with the Project Support Unit (PSU for the preparation of consultant contracts (administered by PSU) and to ensure smooth administrative execution of activities.
Monitor technical inputs and timelines for subcontracted activities or expert missions under their component.

Cross-Cutting Project Contributions

Actively participate in project-wide brainstorming sessions, strategic planning, and internal workshops (including but not limited to project strategy, M&E, outreach and knowledge sharing);
Contribute to technical reports, donor updates, and visibility materials highlighting Output 1 progress and outcomes.
Support cross-component coordination to ensure that learnings from Output 1 are shared across the project.
Contribute to project progress reporting, evaluation, and results measurement, especially regarding institutional capacity building and regulatory improvements.

Project or context description

Expertise France is France’s public agency and interministerial actor in charge of international technical cooperation, the second-largest in Europe. As a subsidiary of Agence Française de Développement Group (AFD Group), it designs and implements projects that sustainably strengthen public policies in developing and emerging countries. Expertise France works in key areas of development: governance, security, climate change, health, education, and more. Alongside its partners, it contributes to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The project “Inclusive Capital Markets for Youth and Women Entrepreneurs in Ethiopia” is co-financed by the European Union (EU) and Agence Française de Développement (AFD), and implemented by Expertise France. The total budget of the project is EUR 10 million.

This project aims to enhance the Ethiopian capital market to better support Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), particularly those owned or led by youth and women. By addressing barriers to finance, improving market infrastructure and financial literacy, and fostering inclusivity, the initiative seeks to empower these underserved groups, drive economic growth and decent work, and promote sustainable development in Ethiopia.

The expected outputs are:

Output 1: Strengthened skills and capacities within the capital markets authority and other relevant institutions in serving MSME needs;
Output 2: Increased knowledge among women and youth owned and led MSMEs, including startups, in participation in the stock exchange and alternative means of financing;
Output 3: Increased knowledge and financial education among international and local investors to participate in capital markets.

The main stakeholders benefiting from the project include the Ethiopian Capital Market Authority (ECMA), the Ethiopian Securities Exchange (ESX) and the Accounting & Auditing Board of Ethiopia (AABE), alongside the entrepreneurship ecosystem and SMEs to drive economic development, innovation, and job creation.

Required profile

Qualifications and Skills:

Master’s degree or equivalent in a relevant field such as international development, economics, development studies, public policy or finance;
Proven technical expertise in capital markets development, financial sector reform, or SME financing;
Excellent knowledge of financial market regulations, especially for SMES;
Demonstrated understanding of the political, social, and economic context of Eastern Africa.
Strong understanding of the Ethiopian financial and institutional context.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment;
Fluency in English ;
Willingness to travel within the country and internationally, as required.

Professional Experience:

At least 6 years of experience in the field of financial sector development, the regulation of capital markets and access to finance for SMEs.
Experience in Eastern Africa, especially in Ethiopia, is an asset
Experience in development cooperation and international partnerships is an asset

Additional information

Location: Addis-Ababa, Ethiopia
Duration of the mission: initial 12 month-contract, renewable up to 48 months (total duration of the project)
The contract is expected to start on January 1st, 2026.
Applications should include a CV and a cover letter.
Deadline for application: 2025/11/17 09:00 am (CET).