The Private Sector Financing Expert will work under EF’s Programme Co-Lead and in close coordination with the GIZ-appointed Technical Lead for Outcome 3. This role will be responsible for coordinating and managing the day-to-day operations of activities related to implementing EF’s contributions to Outputs 3.1 and 3.2 (Seed and growth stage).

The expert will collaborate closely with a Junior Project Officer specializing in Entrepreneurship and Circular Economy and with two Grant Managers, who will complete EF’s Outcome 3 team. While the Private Sector Financing Expert will provide technical guidance to the Grant Managers, their hierarchical management will fall under the Admin and Finance Manager.

Key responsibilities include ensuring that activities are implemented on time, aligned with the programme’s objectives, and coordinated with GIZ’s execution of Outcome 3. The role demands a high level of autonomy, strategic thinking, and operational resourcefulness to establish capacity-building activities and a Matching Grant Facility across up to 13 countries, while effectively engaging with financial institutions, MSMEs, business development service providers (BDS), and development partners.

The Private Sector Financing Expert will be based in Lusaka, Zambia, with frequent travels to other countries in East and Southern Africa.

More specifically, his/her missions and responsibilities are as follows (non-exhaustive list):

Technical expertise to support targeted MSMEs and start’ups

The Private Sector Financing Expert will provide technical assistance and expertise across the five main activities of Outcome 3. This includes:

• Overseeing the financial gap and landscape analysis conducted by a consulting firm.
• Designing, implementing, and supervising capacity-building initiatives to enhance financial institutions' support for circular economy businesses.
• Facilitating and coordinating private sector dialogues, partnerships, business-investor matchmaking, and knowledge-sharing events.
• Recruiting and managing experts and consultants to deliver capacity development initiatives on circular economy (CE) business models and CE financing for selected BDS providers, including MGF managers.
• Organizing dialogues and exchange events with CE stakeholders, connecting businesses, NGOs, public actors, financial institutions, and investors through pitching sessions, success story showcases, and networking opportunities.
• Overseeing the provision of incubation, acceleration, and advisory support on CE business practices for MGF beneficiaries through selected service providers.
• Proposing, designing, and establishing additional relevant activities.

Establishment, management and monitoring of a Matching Grant Facility

• More specifically regarding the Matching Grant Facility he / she will:
•  Collaborate with the component lead (GIZ), the programme co-lead (EF) and the Programme lead (GIZ) to define the vision, objectives, and overall strategy for the Matching Grant Facility (MGF) based on the findings of the financial gap and landscape analysis.
• Develop the MGF framework and operational logic, including defining target groups, eligibility, and funding criteria for applicants.
• Identify and engage potential applicant organisations—such as innovation hubs, accelerators, business development service providers, grant-managing organisations, and microfinance institutions—facilitating connections and encouraging joint applications to foster collaboration. The MGF will be implemented through these third-party organisations responsible for distributing grants to businesses operating within the two targeted value chains.
•  In collaboration with the Junior Project Officer provide technical guidance to help third-party organisations design impactful projects that target high-potential, relevant, and transformative companies. Additionally, he / she will support the Finance and admin team in offering procedural support to ensure their applications comply with EF's processes and requirements.
• Lead the identification, assessment, and selection process for third-party entities (organisations or consortia) to implement the MGF, ensuring alignment with programme goals and compliance with internal processes.
•  Support the Finance Manager to ensure a smooth contracting process and disbursement of matching grants in tranches, tied to the achievement of predefined milestones by beneficiaries.
• Together with the Junior Project Officer, provide technical guidance to the selected third-party organisations to ensure the effective management of the MGF and maximize its impact on the targeted companies.

Operational Management and Coordination

• Lead coordination of EF’s activities under Outputs 3.1 and 3.2, with the support of the Junior Project Officer, ensuring alignment with programme objectives and coordination with GIZ’s Outcome 3.
• Work closely with EF focal points in other countries and EF HQ’s Project Manager to ensure regional implementation and compliance with internal processes.
• Collaborate with EF’s Finance Manager and Programme Co-lead in Lusaka for financial management and regulatory compliance.
• Support the EF co-lead in preparing the pluri-annual and annual plans and budgets for EF outcome 3 related activities.

Additional Responsibilities

• Assist the Programme Co-Lead in preparing comprehensive reports and documentation.
• Provide technical oversight and guidance to the So3 team to ensure high performance.
• Collaborate with the M&E Manager to establish, implement, and update monitoring systems.
• Facilitate knowledge sharing and document lessons learned and best practices for the programme.
• Represent EF at regional events, fostering partnerships and visibility, with regular travel across East and Southern Africa for monitoring and stakeholder engagement.