sequa gGmbH is a globally operating non-profit development organisation. Since 1991 sequa has carried out programmes and projects of international cooperation in close collaboration with the German private sector. sequa offers know-how and long-term experience in capacity development for chambers and associations (BMOs), vocational education and training, private sector development and trade promotion. The organisation is based in Bonn, Germany. sequa employs more than 100 persons (2022) and reported a turnover of EUR 58 m in 2021.

The Project

GIZ has been commissioned with the implementation of the project “Private Sector Development in Ethiopia” (PSD-E). PSD-E aims to benefit small and medium-sized enterprises, start-ups and small growth-oriented companies from improved growth opportunities. The target groups are owners and employees of SMEs, start-ups and small growth-oriented companies. This shall be achieved through five Outputs: (1) Institutional, human resource and technical strengthening of relevant public institutions, (2) Capacity enhancing of chambers and associations, (3) Strengthening the capacities and services of intermediaries in the innovation ecosystem, (4) Strengthening the capacity of private & public business development service providers, (5) Direct support to MSMEs and entrepreneurs affected by conflicts and crises.

sequa implements Output 5 of PSD-E project. The general objective of the intervention is to address the needs of the population affected by the crises by creating or securing employment and income prospects through business recovery and continuity support of Ethiopian SMEs from affected regions. Moreover, the support will provide access for the population to cost-effective, environmental and climate friendly as well as qualitatively appropriate products and services targeting basic foods, WASH, logistics, transport and ICT sectors.

The intervention measure primarily targets SMEs with high growth and employment potential, employing typically between 10 to 50 employees. They must already be established in the local market and offer access to helpful consumer goods or services needed by the crisis-affected population. SMEs with more youth, women, and IDPs/Returnees employees are given priority.

Scope of the Assignment

The scope of this assignment is to provide soap and detergent production training for two SMEs in the Amhara region. Through technical support, the SMEs are expected to increase their production output and product diversification, improve product quality of, and thereby increase their revenues.

Your Tasks / Responsibilities & Deliverables

The consultant is expected to provide the following work packages for the two SMEs supported:

Work package 1: Gap assessment and Status-quo analysis

• Onsite observation of existing production facility, machinery, production processes, and production capacity,
• Assess the skill of the production team,
• Identify factors affecting the production and quality of products.
• Analyse the impacts of each factor in reducing production and product quality,
• Assess and analyse process and product compliance with national and international health and safety requirements.

Deliverables : Gap assessment and analysis report

Days : 3X2 SMEs

Work package 2: Develop appropriate measures to overcome the gaps observed

• Prepare training manuals for the production and quality team,
• Redesign processes and machine layout to improve productivity and quality,
  Optimise process parameters such as cycle time, temperature, and pressure of machines for each product type,
• Develop SOPs, recipes for existing and new products,
• Prepare quality assurance manual.

Deliverables :

• Training manuals
• Provide SOP and the recipe for each product type
• Quality assurance/control manual

Days : 5X2 SMEs

Work package 3: Provide capacity-building support to increase production and improve the quality of products

• Provide sufficient training to the company production and quality team,
• Implement the new proposed production process, new recipes and products, and quality assurance system,
• Through coaching and follow-up, ensure that the company team can properly implement all recommended production and quality systems.

Deliverables :

• Increased production output and improved quality
• A summary report that includes the overall impact of the intervention in terms of productivity, quality, skill development and other areas.

Days : 12X2 SMEs

Total Days : 40

In addition, the consultant is expected to provide additional duties if needed.

Assignment Period: May 2023-September 2023

Working time scope: 40 days within the assignment period, and expandable depending on personal qualifications and needs of the assignment

Project: Private Sector Development in Ethiopia (PSDE): Output 5

Job code: ETH-1023-Soaps and detergents production expert

Job Requirements

Your Qualification / Skills

• University Degree in applied chemistry, chemical Engineering or related fields;
• Perfect understanding of soaps and detergent chemistry;
• Excellent knowledge of certification requirements for soaps and detergents manufacturing business;
• Fluent in English and Amharic;
• Strong communication and training skills;
• Computer literacy (MS Office);
• Very good writing and reporting skills in English.

Your Working Experience

• More than 5 years of relevant professional experience in manufacturing soaps and detergents;
• Previous experience in providing soaps and detergents production training,
• More than 2 years of experience in SME coaching of relevant sectors;
• Relevant experience in working with similar projects.