DAI Global, LLC is a private development company with corporate offices in more than a dozen countries, including in Bethesda, Maryland, in the United States; London and Apsley, Hertfordshire, in the United Kingdom; Abuja and Lagos, in Nigeria; and Brussels, Vienna, and other European capitals.

Overview

Strengthening Host and Refugee Population in Ethiopia (SHARPE) aims to increase livelihoods opportunities for refugees and host communities using the market systems approach. SHARPE operates in 3 locations in Ethiopia, Jijiga, Dollo Ado and Gambella, with a coordinating office in Addis Ababa.

Objectives of the Position

The Senior Business Advisor (SBA) is a member of a team that implements regional market system development strategies. The SBA will manage interventions with a large variety of strategic private and public players in the economy to stimulate innovate practices that unlock inclusive and resilient growth for host and refugee communities. The SBA proactively contributes to a smooth, high quality implementation process and effective teamwork.

The SBA works in a flexible, professional, business-friendly manner, driven by a wish to create genuine partnerships, sustainable changes in business practices, rules and norms, and inclusive and resilient results. S/he is a team player who is self-critical about the quality, inclusiveness and value for money of the results achieved. S/he continues to reflect on and learn from achievements to date, and has a high level of personal accountability. S/he must be sensitive to the regional political economy as well as the importance of an inclusive portfolio relevant for both hosts and refugees, women and men, and for different ethnic groups; and actively contribute to a balanced portfolio that furthers economic integration without doing harm.

Role & Responsibilities

Technical

• Apply the market systems development (MSD) approach to development. In collaboration with other team members, design and manage market systems interventions in line with MSD principles in standard cases; actively identify cases for which new thinking is required and seek advice on these.
• Contribute to the development of regional market strategies and new intervention ideas. Contribute to identifying their potential for inclusive growth, constraints to growth and innovative solutions and opportunities to unlock this growth potential, thereby increasing local productivity and resilience and allowing host and refugee communities to experience an increase in employment opportunities, income and savings.
• Lead communications, negotiations and partnership development with a large variety of strategic private and public players in identified growth sectors to introduce innovation and unlock inclusive growth potential.
• Understand and apply SHARPE frameworks and guidelines for the design and management of grant funded interventions – vetting, due diligence and value for money (VfM); resilience; Gender and Social Inclusion (GESI), political economy and conflict analysis / do no harm.
• As a member of a Partnership Management Team (PMT) be instrumental in preparing the documentation to get Partnership Concepts approved, Partnership Deals signed, and supportive evidence for vetting, due diligence and deliverables being made available.

Coordination

• Ensure excellent coordination with other team members. Actively contribute to a healthy team dynamic that fosters creative and critical thinking
• Actively contribute to smooth coordination between the Addis Ababa office, the Regional Hubs and other SHARPE teams.
• Actively contribute to work planning and progress against plans made.

Grant and Financial Management, Operations

• Ensure that interventions adhere to the SHARPE Resource Fund management processes.
• Adhere to all SHARPE manuals and procedures (HR, security, grants management, operations, IT).

Reporting Support

• Contribute to the development of annual plans, implementation reports and other (weekly, quarterly) reporting requirements and communication efforts, as required.
• Ensure that all technical documents are stored in the appropriate manner.

Stakeholder Management and Representation

• Uphold the public image of SHARPE by ensuring that all interactions and communication with (potential) private and public partners as well as development partners and donors is well prepared, to the point and polite.
• Serve as a representative of SHARPE and maintain relations with relevant stakeholders.

Other : Other activities as directed by SMT members or DAI representative(s).

Key Performance Indicators : KPIs set annually in agreement with the Team Leader, and reviewed every six months

Reporting : The Senior Business Advisor reports to the Team Leader and is expected to work collaboratively with all other SHARPE team members
The Senior Business Advisor is based in Addis Ababa with frequent travel required to SHARPE’s regional hubs in Jijiga, Dollo Ado and Gambella.

Job Requirements

Required Skills & Competencies

• Post graduate qualifications in business, economics, agriculture, development or relevant field(s) with a minimum of 2 years work experience in related filed.
• Relevant content / thematic knowledge and experience, with the ability to apply this knowledge to meet SHARPE objectives.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Ability to think strategically and be solutions focused.
• Strong commitment to gender equality, inclusion and do no harm principles.
• Ability to build relationships and understand stakeholder needs.
• Excellent facilitation and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to design and management a range of partnerships with diverse actors, both public and private sector.
• Excellent coordination and team working skills
• Strong project management and financial management skills.
• High level of written and oral communication skills. Fluency in English essential.