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Ref.
2025/TLOEPF/12503

Job offer type
Field staff jobs

Type of contract
Fixed-term contract (CDD)

Activity sectors
Sustainable development ; Political Affairs

Deadline date
2025/02/16 23:59

Contract
Wage portage

Duration
12 months (renewable until the end of the project)

Mission description

Under the supervision and coordination of EF’s Programme Co-Lead, the Technical Lead Outcome 1 is responsible for overall Outcome 1 coordination and representation, technical supervision and direct implementation.

The Technical Lead Outcome 1 is part of the Project Management Unit (PMU), based in Lusaka, Zambia. The position will involve occasional travel in the ESA region.

He/she will work on a daily basis with the PMU Team (Programme Lead – GIZ; Programme Co-Lead – EF; Admin & Finance Manager – EF; Logistics Officer – EF; Project Assistant – EF; M&E Manager – EF; Value Chain Experts – GIZ) and relevant National Coordinators; will support both the Knowledge Management and Awareness Raising Officer (EF) and the COMESA Coordinators in the implementation of the parts of Outcome 1 for which they are responsible; and will be in regular contact with the Project Officer – Circular Economy of EF HQ. 

The position implies a high degree of autonomy and thoroughness, as well as interpersonal skills appropriate to working in a European, international and multicultural environment.

Responsibilities

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

Outcome 1 Coordination and Representation (25%)

  • Operational Coordination: Participate to the development of Action Plans and consolidate annual and pluri-annual planning across Outcome 1, coordinating between Output 1.1 (EF), Output 1.2 (EF) and Output 1.3 (GIZ), ensuring alignment with project objective;
  • External representation and coordination: Represent Outcome 1 of the SWITCH-2-CE programme at external events and towards key stakeholders (i.e. EUD, COMESA and other partners);
  • Participation to recruitment processes: Participate to the recruitment process for the Awareness Raising and Knowledge Management Officer;
  • EF internal liaison: Ensure the interface between Outcome 1 and the Sustainable Development Department at EF HQ (Project Officer – Circular Economy)

Technical Supervision (25%)

  • Outcome 1
    • Technical backstopping and guidance on enabling CE policy frameworks for the PMU
    • Participate to the steering of the Initial Study during the Inception Phase
  • Output 1.1 (Knowledge Production and Dissemination; Awareness Raising/Advocacy and Capacity Building): Supervision of Output 1.1 activities implemented by the Knowledge Management and Awareness Raising Officer, with support from the Admin & Finance Manager for grants
  • Output 1.2 (Regional Policy Dialogue): Supervision of Output 1.2 activities implemented by COMESA Coordinators

Technical Implementation (50%)

  • Output 1.2 (Regional Policy Dialogue): Design and implement a Study Tour, with support from the Logistics Officer.
  • Output 1.2 (Policy-Support Facility): Set-up and implement the Policy-Support Facility (approx. 500k€)

Cross-cutting Responsibilities

  • Assist the Programme Co-Lead in preparing comprehensive reports and documentation.
    Collaborate with EF’s Admin & Finance Manager and Programme Co-lead in Lusaka for financial management and regulatory compliance
    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. 

Project or context description

The SWITCH to Circular Economy in Eastern and Southern Africa (SWITCH-2-CE in ESA) programme is co-financed by the European Union and jointly implemented by Expertise France (EF) and GIZ, with GIZ as the lead agency. The programme supports an inclusive transition to a circular economy (CE) in ESA. The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) is the main regional political partner of the project.

The programme is structured around the following three main outcomes, with the two priority value chains (PVCs): “packaging/plastics waste” and “electronics/e-waste”. 

  • Outcome 1: To establish an enabling policy framework for circular economy across the ESA region (implemented jointly by EF as lead, and GIZ);
  • Outcome 2: To enhance the participation of formal and informal workers and SMEs, including women and youth, in circular economy models (implemented by GIZ);
  • Outcome 3: To improve access to and use of financing by circular economy businesses (implemented jointly by GIZ as lead, and EF).

This role is specifically tied to Outcome 1 and its key Outputs:

Output 1.1: Regional and national policymakers in the ESA region have access to information and learning materials on best practice policies, strategies and legislation to facilitate the transition to an inclusive CE (implemented by EF)
Output 1.2: Regional and national policymakers are equipped to mainstream circular economy principles in policy frameworks (implemented by EF)
Output 1.3: Public capacities are strengthened for supporting CE models through EPR schemes across the region (implemented by GIZ

Output 1.1 aims on the one hand to make sure that knowledge on CE, especially in the two PVCs, is available and accessible to regional and national policymakers by producing regional studies (e.g. CE in NDCs; CE standards, certifications and labels), and supporting regional thematic organisations (e.g. ACEA) in producing and disseminating CE knowledge through grants.

On the other hand, it also aims to make sure that national and regional policymakers engage with and have greater awareness and understanding of CE in the two PVCs by building the capacity of regional policymakers (e.g. COMESA) on CE, supporting organisations (e.g. CSOs and Consumer Association) in advocating for CE to regional and national policymakers, and organising cross-cutting regional events (e.g. with the support of COMESA).

Finally, policy-support activities implemented as part of the SWITCH-2-CE programme will be assessed and lessons learned will be made available to national and regional policymakers through capitalisation studies. These activities will allow information on CE and best practices to be accessible to public and private stakeholders. They will allow policy makers from various ESA countries to share a common understanding of the CE, its opportunities and how it applies to the PVCs in their country.

Under Output 1.2, national and regional policymakers, private stakeholders and CSOs will be brought together to foster regional public-private policy dialogue on CE-related concepts, principles and existing initiatives for strengthened collaboration and regional policy harmonisation in the two PVCs, through Regional Working Groups, the participation to Regional High-Level Events and potentially a Study Tour (e.g. to France). Most of these activities will be implemented in close coordination with the COMESA.

A Policy-Support Facility will also be set up, through which requests for support from regional policymakers (i.e. RECs and their Business Councils) or national policymakers (i.e. governmental organisations) will be handled. The support will be coordinated and supervised by EF’s Outcome 1 Team and provided by international or local thematic organisations and consultants in ESA countries. International think tanks and the EU CE Resource Center will be involved to use synergies.

The programme will start in April 2025, with an Inception Phase including two important diagnostic studies to develop the Action Plan of Outcome 1:

  • Initial Study: Mapping of Circular Economy (CE) ecosystems across 13 countries in Eastern and Southern Africa. CE maturity assessment of two priority value chains: packaging/plastics waste and electronics/e-waste. Identification of gaps and opportunities to guide program activities.
  • Landscape Study: Awareness and capacity assessment of national and regional policymakers. Identification of influential partners (such as international thematic organisations) who might be supported in their advocacy role and definition of an Awareness Raising & Advocacy strategy

Required profile

Qualifications and skills

  • Master's degree or equivalent in political science, economics, law or an equivalent field related to Circular Economy.
  • Very good knowledge of the public policy cycle, with a focus on Circular Economy
  • Strong project management skills, with the ability to effectively coordinate complex initiatives across multiple stakeholders and countries.
  • Ability to interact and negotiate in a strategic political environment with a complex ecosystem; 
  • Strong institutional representation skills;
  • Strong leadership with experience working in diverse, multicultural environments.
  • Fluency in English.

Professional experience

  • A minimum of 10 years of professional experience, including at least 5 years in a coordination position, preferably in policy support or circular economy;
  • Proven experience in designing, implementing, and managing technical assistance activities aimed at high-level national and regional public authorities;
  • Extensive experience in awareness raising / advocacy, capacity building and policy dialogues for high-level national and regional public authorities;
  • Proven experience in facilitating multi-stakeholder processes and consultation with partners;
  • Experience organizing workshops and knowledge-sharing events for local and international stakeholders;
  • Experience working in Southern and/or East Africa;
  • At least 2 experiences in implementation of cooperation projects, experience of EU-funded projects will be a strong asset;
  • Previous successful experience with EF and knowledge of internal procedures is an asset.

Additional information

Conditions

  • Fixed-term contract for a term of 12 months (renewable until the end of the project, June 2029).
  • The salary will be determined based on the relevant experience for the position.
  • Position based in Lusaka with potential field trips.

Calendar

  • Expected project start date: May 2025 (at the earliest)

Documents to be provided

  • A CV
  • A cover letter
  • Three professional references (including email and telephone contacts)

Deadline for application : 2025/02/16 23:59

Expertise France is the public agency for designing and implementing international technical cooperation projects. The agency operates around four key priorities :

  • democratic, economic, and financial governance ;
  • peace, stability, and security ;
  • climate, agriculture, and sustainable development ;
  • health and human development ;

In these areas, Expertise France conducts capacity-building initiatives and manages project implementation, leveraging technical expertise and acting as a project coordinator. This involves combining public sector expertise with private sector skills to drive impactful results. 

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