As the Team Leader for the project “Strengthen the capital market to be MSME-friendly serving the needs of enterprises and startups owned and led by youth and women”, you will be responsible for managing the project team in Ethiopia, overseeing the project implementation, and ensuring the achievement of the project objectives.

You will need to travel to meet with stakeholders and contribute to the smooth running of the project. The position implies a high degree of autonomy and interpersonal skills appropriate to working in an international and multicultural environment, as well as strong managerial skills. You will be placed under the supervision of Expertise France’s country director in Ethiopia and supported by Expertise France’s national office.

Key Responsibilities include:

1.       Strategic Planning and Project Leadership

•        Lead the strategic direction of the project, ensuring alignment with the work plan, logframe, donor priorities, and Ethiopia’s development context.
•        Structure and oversee the inception phase in close coordination with key stakeholders.
•       Guide the development and regular updating of strategic tools (e.g., logframe, implementation calendar, M\&E framework).
•        Ensure project planning is adaptive to evolving political, economic, and institutional contexts.
•       Oversee timely and effective delivery of project outputs and outcomes through strategic and adaptive management.
•        Anticipate and manage risks, coordinating mitigation measures with EF HQ and the Project Support Unit.
•        Promote the integration of cross-cutting priorities such as gender, sustainability, and local capacity development.
•        Ensure coordination with donor-funded initiatives and alignment with EF, EU, AFD, and national strategies.

2.       Operational Project Management

•        Lead the planning, implementation, and monitoring of project activities to ensure timely and high-quality delivery in line with donor requirements.
•       Supervise project staff, experts, and contractors, providing strategic and technical guidance as needed.
•       Oversee budgeting, forecasting, and financial monitoring in collaboration with EF support services.
•        Coordinate procurement processes in compliance with EF and donor procedures.
•        Ensure efficient use of project resources and alignment between operational and financial planning.
•        Manage internal planning tools, including work plans, procurement plans, and risk matrices.
•        Ensure compliance with contractual obligations and internal operational standards.
•        Oversee MEAL processes and contribute to reporting and knowledge management outputs.
•        Ensure visibility and communication activities follow donor guidelines.
•        Coordinate project closure and final reporting activities.
•        Capitalise on and disseminate results of the different activities and the overall project;

3.       Team Management

•        Lead and supervise a multidisciplinary team of approximately 8 staff, ensuring alignment with project goals.
•       Set individual objectives, manage workloads, and conduct regular performance reviews.
•       Oversee recruitment, onboarding, and management of national and international staff in coordination with EF HQ and country office.
•        Identify expert needs, supervise the drafting of Terms of Reference, and supervise missions and deliverables.
•        Provide coaching, mentoring, and support for staff development and capacity building.
•        Ensure clear roles, effective coordination, and smooth functioning of the project office in Addis Ababa.
•        Promote team collaboration, well-being, and compliance with EF’s security protocols.
•        Ensure the effective functioning of the project office in Addis Ababa and facilitate coordination between team members and components.
•        Participate in regular Country Office team meetings and promote cross-functional collaboration and synergies with other projects.

4.       Financial and Technical Reporting

•        Lead the preparation of high-quality interim and final technical reports for submission to the EU Delegation and AFD ensuring compliance with donor formats and deadlines.
•        Facilitate continuous technical monitoring through the use of internal tools, best practices, and coordinated inputs from the project team.
•        Prepare documentation and ensure proper coordination for Steering Committees and technical committees, including acting as secretariat when needed.
•        Oversee project budget execution, ensuring sound financial management, early detection of deviations, and implementation of necessary adjustments.
•        Prepare annual budgets in collaboration with the project team, in full compliance with donor and EF financial rules.
•        Ensure the timely and accurate submission of financial reports, aligned with donor requirements and contractual obligations.
•        Support Expertise France HQ and the Country Office during financial audits and donor reviews.
•        Contribute to the implementation of audit recommendations and corrective measures at field level.

5.       Stakeholder Engagement and Project Representation

•        Act as the primary representative of the project to the EU Delegation, AFD, Ethiopian authorities, private sector actors, and other key stakeholders.
•        Represent the project and Expertise France in high-level meetings, governance bodies (Steering Committees, Technical Coordination Groups), conferences, and public events.
•        Maintain regular communication with donors and institutional partners, providing updates on project progress and strategic developments.
•        Foster strong relationships with national counterparts and implementing partners to ensure ownership and alignment with national priorities.
•        Coordinate with other donor-funded initiatives to enhance synergies and avoid duplication.
•        Ensure internal coordination with the EF Country Office and HQ, contributing to knowledge-sharing across EF projects.