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Ref.
2026/IPTC/15459

Job offer type
Experts

Type of contract
Service contract

Activity sectors
Climate and Agriculture ; Business facilitation and regional integration

Deadline date
2026/05/20 23:55

Duration of the assignment
Short term

Contract
Freelancer

Duration
30 days

Mission description

A. General Objective

The general objective of this assignment is to provide senior-level technical coordination and advisory support to the PSD Liberia Project during its inception phase, ensuring that all inception workstreams are delivered in a technically coherent, timely, and quality-assured manner, in close collaboration with the Programme Manager, component leads, consortium members, and key national stakeholders.

B. Specific Objectives

The assignment has four specific objectives:

•    SO1 – Coordination of Inception Workstreams: Ensure day-to-day technical coordination across relevant inception workstreams, tracking progress, managing interdependencies, and flagging bottlenecks to the Programme Manager.

•    SO2 – Gap Assessments and Technical Analyses: Lead or co-lead the design and oversight of institutional and sector gap assessments (particularly cassava and wood) and investment-oriented studies, ensuring methodological rigour and alignment with PSD principles.

•    SO3 – Stakeholder Engagement and Technical Consultations: Support structured technical consultations with government institutions, private sector actors, development partners, and consortium members, preparing materials, facilitating meetings, and synthesizing outcomes.

•    SO4 – Preparatory Work for Inception Report: Consolidate technical inputs from relevant workstreams into structured contributions to the Inception Report, in close collaboration with the Programme Manager.

 

C. Scope of Work

The expert will work across the following inception workstreams:

 

Workstream

Key Technical Coordination Tasks

WS1 – Stakeholder Mapping & Engagement

Coordinate stakeholder mapping across public, private, and financial actors; prepare bilateral consultation briefs and development partner mapping.

WS2 – Aquaculture Inception

[Workstream led by the Aquaculture Head of Component] Provide strategy advisory and quality assurance for the gap assessment report and strategy.

WS3 – Cassava Inception

Provide technical oversight and quality assurance for cassava gap assessment and investment-oriented analysis; closely coordinate with MoA, external expert and relevant private sector actors.

WS4 – Wood Inception

Provide technical oversight for wood sector gap assessment and strategy; closely coordinate with FDA, external expert and relevant private sector actors.

WS5 – PSD Strategy Design

Lead investment pipeline scoping; support pilot identification; contribute to PSD strategy framework and sectoral workplans.

WS6 – Access to Finance

Lead desk review and stakeholder consultations on financial ecosystem; support strategy development for blended finance and MSME financing instruments.

WS7 – Gender and inclusion

[Workstream led by the Gender Expert]

Provide technical oversight for the gender and inclusion assessment and strategy; closely coordinate with the relevant national stakeholders, external experts, and relevant private sector actors.

WS8 – Inception Sensemaking

Prepare and facilitate internal and multi-stakeholder technical sensemaking meetings; synthesize findings across workstreams into structured analytical notes.

WS9 – Inception Report

Consolidate technical contributions from all workstreams; draft key technical chapters; coordinate revision cycles with EUD, ILO, and national stakeholders.

 

D. Expected Results and Deliverables

The following deliverables are expected from the assignment:

 

#

Deliverable

Description

Timeline

D1

Inception Coordination Plan

A concise workstream coordination matrix identifying tasks, owners, dependencies, and schedule across all  workstreams, aligned with the Detailed Inception Planning [update of an existing workplan]

June week 1

D2

Access to Finance Inception Note

A structured inception note presenting the findings of the financial ecosystem desk review and stakeholder consultations (WS9). The note maps key financial actors (MFIs, DFIs, banks, fintech), identifies gaps in MSME and value chain financing, and outlines strategic options for blended finance instruments and investment readiness support. It provides the analytical foundation for the Access to Finance strategy and informs the Inception Report.

June week 4

D3

Sector Inception Notes (x3)

Technical notes synthesizing findings from the aquaculture, cassava, and wood inception processes, including strategy recommendations, workplan inputs and the cross-cutting thematic as access to finance, gender inclusion

July week 1

D4

PSD Strategy and Investment Pipeline Note

Structured note presenting the investment pipeline, identified pilots, and PSD strategy framework for the three value chains.

July week 1

D5

Inception sensemaking

Prepare and facilitate internal and multi-stakeholder technical sensemaking meetings; synthesize findings across workstreams into structured analytical notes.

July week 2

D6

Technical Chapters for the Inception Report

Consolidated and quality-assured technical chapters for the Inception Report, including contributions to the logframe, MEAL plan, gender action plan, and environmental sustainability plan.

July week 3

D7

Handover Note to incoming Technical Coordinator

A comprehensive handover note documenting workstream status, key contacts, pending tasks, and recommendations for the permanent Technical Coordinator.

August week 1

 

IV.   Phased Inception Approach and Working Days Estimate

Given the complexity and multi-dimensional nature of the inception phase, the assignment is structured in three phases to allow for progressive engagement and prioritization, while maintaining flexibility to adapt to the recruitment timeline for the permanent Technical Coordinator.

 

Phase

Period

Focus and Key Activities

Working Days

Phase 1 Launch & Scoping

June 2026 (Weeks 1-4)

•    Mobilization, document review, and workplan finalization

•    Update of Inception Coordination Plan (D1)

•    Launch of stakeholder mapping and bilateral consultations (WS1)

•    Scoping of gap assessments (WS2, WS3, WS4)

8 days

Phase 2 Core Inception

July (Weeks 1-4)

•    Implementation and quality assurance of all sector gap assessments (W2–WS4 + WS7)

•    Access to finance desk review and consultations (WS6)

•    Investment pipeline scoping and PSD strategy design (WS5)

•    Internal and multi-stakeholder sensemaking workshops

•    Inception report

20 days

Phase 3 Handover

August (Week 1)

•    Detailed handover note

2

TOTAL

June – July 2026

Covering all inception workstreams requiring Technical Coordinator-level support

30 working days

 

Project or context description

A.       Project Overview: Private Sector Development in Liberia

The Private Sector Development in Liberia (PSD Liberia) Project seeks to unlock the potential of Liberia's private sector for inclusive and sustainable economic growth. The project is financed by the European Union and implemented under indirect management by Expertise France, as lead agency, in partnership with the International Labour Organization (ILO). The project will run for forty-eight months starting on 1 October 2025, with a total budget of EUR 25 million.

The overall objective of the Action is to contribute to increasing the competitiveness, inclusivity, and environmental sustainability of the cassava, fisheries, and wood processing value chains in order to foster decent job creation, economic growth, and competitiveness of Liberian Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Its specific objective is to ensure that MSMEs, with a particular focus on those owned by women, youth, and persons with disabilities, increase their productivity and production quality so that they can provide decent and inclusive job opportunities while committing to environmental sustainability standards. To achieve this, the Action is structured around three main result areas:

•       Strengthening policy and institutional frameworks;

•       Boosting production and value chain development in the cassava, aquaculture, and wood sectors;

•       Enhancing human development through improved access to skills, decent work, and inclusive economic opportunities.

 

The project will be implemented in Liberia in Monrovia and in selected areas, including Montserrado, Margibi, Bong, Cape Mount, Gbarpolu, Grand Bassa, and Nimba. The final geographic scope will be confirmed during the inception phase by the Steering Committee. Direct project beneficiaries will include chambers of commerce and business networks such as the Liberian Chamber of Commerce, the European Chamber of Commerce in Liberia, and the Liberia Business Association; government authorities and regulators such as the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Liberia Standards Authority, the Ministry of Labour, the National Investment Commission, the Liberia TVET Commission, the Liberia Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority (LACRA), the Central Bank of Liberia, and the National Commission on Disabilities; as well as MSMEs, microbusinesses, entrepreneurs, cooperatives, training institutions, civil society organisations, Disabled Persons Organisations, and relevant international and local partners. Indirect beneficiaries include the wider population of rural communities engaged in the cassava value chain.

The PSD Liberia Project is fully aligned with Liberia's ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID, 2024) and contributes to the EU Team Europe Initiatives on Safe and Sustainable Food Systems. It supports the EU Gender Action Plan III (2021–2025), Liberia's National Agricultural Development Plan (NADP 2024–2030), and international frameworks such as the EU Global Gateway Strategy, the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

B. Background and Rationale for Inception Phase Support

The PSD Liberia Project is currently in its technical inception phase, running from February through July 2026. This phase is critical: it lays the analytical, institutional, and strategic foundations for all subsequent project implementation. The inception phase comprises fifteen (15) complex and interconnected workstreams, spanning project governance, stakeholder engagement, sector-specific diagnostics (cassava, aquaculture, wood), market systems and investment analysis, TVET and labour systems, MEAL framework development, gender and inclusion and environmental sustainability mainstreaming, and the production of the Inception Report (due July 31, 2026). The project anticipates a gap in the Technical Coordination position between at least the end of May and the end of June. This staffing gap creates a significant risk of fragmentation, delayed outputs, and insufficient technical coherence in the delivery of the inception workstreams. This assignment is therefore designed to bridge the Technical Coordinator gap during the inception phase, supporting the Programme Manager, the Project officer and the Head of Component through a phased engagement that covers coordination of gap assessments, investment-oriented studies, technical consultations, and preparatory work for all inception workstreams until a permanent Technical Coordinator is onboarded.

Required profile

The expert must possess strong expertise in private sector development (PSD), programme coordination, MSME financing and value chain development, with demonstrated ability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder inception processes in a development context. Experience with EU-funded projects and familiarity with the Liberian institutional landscape is desirable.

 

A. Qualifications and Skills

•    Advanced university degree in economics, business administration, development studies, public policy, agricultural economics, or related fields;

•    Minimum 10 years of relevant professional experience in PSD, value chain development and or programme design and coordination;

•    Previous professional experience in Liberia or West Africa is highly desirable;

•    Demonstrated experience managing multi-workstream inception or start-up phases of development programmes;

•    Experience working on EU-funded programmes or with Expertise France, GIZ, or similar bilateral agencies is a strong asset;

•    Strong analytical, writing, and facilitation skills, with ability to synthesize complex technical inputs into structured reports;

•    Ability to work effectively under time pressure and in multicultural and multi-stakeholder environments;

•    Fluency in English is mandatory.

 

B. Specific Professional Experience

1. Programme Coordination and Inception Management

Proven experience coordinating complex multi-workstream inception phases of design programmes, including stakeholder mapping, gap assessments, workplan management, and inception report drafting. Ability to manage interdependencies across technical workstreams and ensure timely delivery against tight deadlines.

 

2. Private Sector Development (PSD) and Market Systems

Solid understanding of PSD approaches, market systems development (MSD), and value chain analysis, particularly in agriculture or agro-processing sectors. Ability to provide technical oversight of investment-oriented studies and PSD strategy design processes.

 

3. Stakeholder Engagement and Facilitation

Demonstrated ability to engage effectively with government institutions (Ministries, regulatory agencies), private sector actors (chambers of commerce, MSMEs, associations), development partners, and EU delegations. Experience facilitating technical workshops, public-private dialogues, and validation sessions.

 

4. Access to Finance and Investment Analysis

Familiarity with financial ecosystems for MSMEs and agricultural value chain actors, including blended finance instruments, MFIs, DFIs, and investment readiness frameworks. Ability to support investment pipeline scoping and pilot design.

 

5. Environmental sustainability

Experience integrating environmental sustainability and climate resilience considerations into private sector development, agricultural value chains, and MSME support programmes. Familiarity with sustainable production approaches, green growth principles, environmental risk mitigation, and alignment with EU Global Gateway and/or environmental compliance frameworks is considered an asset.

 

6. Cross-Cutting Competencies

Understanding of gender inclusion, youth employment, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and environmental sustainability, and ability to mainstream these dimensions into technical coordination work.

 

7. Communication and Delivery

Excellent report writing and presentation skills (donor-quality outputs). Strong organizational and time-management capacity. Experience preparing structured handover documentation and supporting transitions between project phases.

 

Additional information

Interested candidates are invited to submit the following documents to the adress email recruitment.liberia@expertisefrance.fr, by 20 May 2026 at 11:55 p.m, with the subject line: “PSD Liberia – Inception Expert”:

•    Updated CV (maximum 5 pages), highlighting relevant experience in programme coordination and PSD;

•    At least one example of relevant work (inception report contribution, coordination plan, gap assessment brief, or similar);

•    2 relevant professional references.

 

Submission of an application does not constitute any contractual obligation. Expertise France reserves the right to modify or cancel the selection process at any stage.

 

Expertise France is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from women and qualified candidates from diverse backgrounds, including persons with disabilities.

Selection criteria for applications

The selection process for candidates will be based on the following criteria :

  • Candidate’s skills linked with the expert mission

Deadline for application : 2026/05/20 23:55

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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