Ref.
2026/PAEP/15457
Job offer type
Field staff jobs
Type of contract
Fixed-term contract (CDD)
Deadline date
2026/05/27 14:22
Duration
3 years
Project Assistant - ECOTRADE Project (M/W)
Coordination géographique - Représentations à l’étranger > Ethiopia
Published on : 2026/05/13
SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA
ETHIOPIA
Mission description
With approximately 132 million inhabitants and a population that continues to grow rapidly (+2.5% per year), Ethiopia is expected to reach 150 million people by 2050 (World Bank projections, 2022) and remain Africa’s second most populous country. Its economy is one of the fastest growing in the region, with an estimated 8.1% growth rate in 2023/24 (World Bank Data).
Ethiopia is at a pivotal moment in its economic development, with its recent launch of the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement providing a transformative opportunity for regional integration and growth. The country faces significant challenges, including structural weaknesses in its state-led growth model, high trade costs, and limited private sector engagement. These factors hinder Ethiopia’s ability to integrate into regional and global value chains, especially in the production and trade of value-added goods.
The AfCFTA aims to address these barriers by promoting intra-African trade, supporting regional economic integration, and fostering sustainable growth. For Ethiopia, the agreement is an opportunity to enhance its export base, engage its private sector, and create jobs, particularly for women and youth. This project aligns with Ethiopia’s national priorities under its Home-Grown Economic Reform Agenda (HGER) and its Ten-Year Perspective Development Plan, as well as the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Project or context description
Project Description
This EU-funded project focuses on supporting the advancement and implementation of the AfCFTA in Ethiopia with a focus on a private-led value chain development approach to increasing intra-African trade, promoting greater economic integration, sustainable growth, and creating jobs.
The five specific objectives of the project are:
· Specific Objective 1: The private sector is actively engaged alongside the government to support the AfCFTA’s successful implementation
· Specific Objective 2: Regional value chains are integrated, and trade/transport connectivity is facilitated with a focus on increasing women's participation in commercial and logistics processes
· Specific Objective 3: Relevant authorities in the implementation of the AfCFTA are supported
· Specific Objective 4: Academic institutions and research institutions are supported
· Specific Objective 5: Strengthening Ethiopia’s capacity to implement the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol (DTP)
The project team is based in Expertise France’s new offices in Addis Ababa, ensuring proximity to stakeholders and beneficiaries.
Job Description
The Project Assistant will provide essential project management support to ensure the smooth functioning of the Project Team. This includes but not limited to administrative and financial support, stakeholder management and activity implementation support.
Key Responsibilities:
Under the supervision of the Deputy Team Leader and in coordination with the Project Officer, the Project Assistant will carry out the following activities in strict compliance with Expertise France procedures:
Administrative and Operational Support
- Lead on maintaining the Team’s shared digital storage space (Wimi) and ensure its efficient usage across the Team.
- Serve as the Project’s focal point to the Country Office’s Finance, Logistics and Procurement & Contracting Team; providing required documentation for request processing.
- Manage the Project Team’s calendar, scheduling meetings and appointments.
- Support the Team with task prioritization, correspondence, and stakeholder engagement.
- Lead on drafting meeting notes and tracking actions agreed at Meetings.
Project Implementation Support
- Conduct desk-based research to inform project decision-making.
- Provide ad hoc administrative support in line with the Project Activity Plan and evolving Team needs.
Logistics and Event Management Support
- Support logistical planning for Project events, workshops and missions in collaboration with the Country Office Procurement Team.
- Liaise with service providers (venues, caterers, transport) to ensure smooth event delivery.
- Provide on-the-ground support during events as required.
Required profile
Qualifications and skills
- A Bachelor's degree in International Affairs, Business Management, Economics, or a related field. (ongoing acceptable).
- Experience working on donor-funded projects (EU, Expertise France, AFD, GIZ, etc.) is an advantage.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook is required. Knowledge of other digital work tools is required.
- Strong organizational skills, flexibility and ability to work independently.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work in a multicultural environment.
- Strong analytical, writing and summarization abilities.
Professional Experience
- Previous experience as a Project Assistant is strongly required (minimum 1 years' experience)
- Experience with an international development partner is desired
Deadline for application : 2026/05/27 14:22
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.