Cassava Value Chain Development Advisor

Job Description

About GIZ

As a service provider in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development and international education work, we are dedicated to shaping a future worth living around the world. We work with businesses, civil society actors and research institutions, fostering successful interaction between development policy and other policy fields and areas of activity. In Sierra Leone, the GIZ has been working since 1963 in the following areas: Employment promotion and agriculture, strengthening the health care system, resource governance and sustainable energy access. 

GIZ is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from individuals regardless of gender, disability, race, ethnicity, religion, age, or any other protected characteristic. We embrace diversity and believe that inclusivity in the workplace is essential to our success and are committed to creating a work environment where all employees are valued and respected. 

Qualified women are particularly encouraged to apply. 

– Women’s perspectives are vital to our success. 

– Enjoy flexible hours and part-time working opportunities to help balance professional and personal commitments. 

– Benefit from family-friendly policies

The GIZ project “Youth Employment Promotion through Socio-Ecological and Economic Transformation of selected Rural Value Chains” (EET) aims at strengthening MSMEs in selected value chains in Sierra Leone with respect to business and job creation aspects, particularly for women and youth. To this end, the project works in five main fields of action: 

1. Support for MSMEs in selected agricultural value chains: Through a holistic value chain approach, tailored training and coaching as well as different financial support modalities, MSMEs in several agricultural value chains will be strengthened, production facilities optimized, and new products and supply chains developed. Supported value chains are the cassava, vegetables, poultry and cocoa/coffee value chains. The focus is on the creation of jobs for women and young people. 
2. Strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem: Under this output, ministries and the central bank will be advised on improving the general framework conditions for MSMEs and economic growth as well as an improved access to finance for MSMEs. 
3. Women economic empowerment: Women organisations and female entrepreneurs will be strengthened through training and mentoring along the 3R approach focusing on improved access to rights, representation and resources.
4. Improved Market access: Access to markets for agricultural producers, with a particular focus on women and young people, has been improved. 
5. Inclusive TVET Systems: The vocational training system is more gender-responsive and better aligned with the needs of the labour market.

We are advertising three “Advisor – Cassava Value Chain” positions. Two advisors will be based in our regional office in Bo, while one advisor will be based in Freetown.

Job Purpose

The Advisors – Cassava Value Chain will support the Regional Office in Bo and the office in Freetown under the Socio-Ecological and Economic Transformation (EET) project in Sierra Leone. You will work closely with the project team in Bo and Freetown, as well as with the Cassava Value Chain advisor in Makeni, to enhance the competitiveness of the cassava value chain. This will involve providing technical expertise, implementing strategies, and ensuring the inclusion of key stakeholders, particularly women and youth, in value chain development. Your role will be pivotal in improving the business environment and fostering private sector growth in the region. 

This position requires an expert who can lead technical interventions, coordinate and cooperate with partners, and contribute to the overall success of the EET project in the region.

You are responsible for performing diverse, specialized, and complex tasks within the cassava value chain, requiring a high level of technical expertise and advisory skills. This includes strategic planning, budget management, coordination and implementation of activities along the value chain, as well as the monitoring, evaluation, and communication of project outcomes. All activities must be carried out in compliance with GIZ and EU rules and regulations. The role requires a high degree of independence, initiative, and discretion within defined guidelines.

Key Responsibilities

1. Responsibilities 

• You will support the implementation of private sector development activities, promoting inclusive and sustainable economic transformation in selected agricultural value chains. 
• You will conduct stakeholder mapping and analysis to identify key actors, gaps, and opportunities to strengthen MSME development and the business ecosystem.
• You will assist in the development and implementation of inclusive policies, tools, and frameworks that enhance value addition, access to finance, and market competitiveness.
• You will be responsible for planning, implementing and monitoring of change projects that support MSME growth, ensuring quality implementation and alignment with project objectives.
• You will contribute to internal and external communication activities by drafting social media content, success stories, and by engaging with partners and stakeholders to ensure visibility and transparency.
• In addition, you will contribute to regular reporting on policy and private sector development activities, outcomes and lessons learned to commissioning parties and any relevant partners.

1. Tasks 

Specific tasks of the Advisor – Private Sector Development in Freetown include, but are not limited to: 

Technical Support and Advisory Services:

• Ensure all private sector development related activities support the inclusive and sustainable economic transformation objectives of the EET project. 
• Conduct national-level stakeholder mapping and analysis to identify key actors, institutional opportunities, and gaps affecting the development and strengthening of MSME and economic empowerment.
• Identify and advise on strategic policy interventions to enhance access to finance and markets, as well as private sector competitiveness, with strong focus on women and youth economic empowerment.
• Support the development, updating, and harmonisation of private sector policies and frameworks that strengthen MSME development and economic empowerment.
• Working with start-up incubators and growth accelerators 
• Collaborate with partners to design and implement change projects that drive private sector development and a conducive business ecosystem.
• Support the development and implementation of tools and instruments related to certification, production standards, traceability systems in selected agricultural value chains, and market intelligence.
• Support the rollout of financial products, business development services, certification, and regulatory standards for selected value chains.
• Assist with budget planning, expenditure monitoring, and operational planning related to private sector development activities.
• Support the preparation of an annual operational plan in line with the overall project. 
• Support the monitoring and evaluation of interventions under private sector development. 

Communication:

• Ensuring timely and smooth communication with project partners and within the project.
• Support the internal and external representation of the programme in coordination with the M&E Advisor of the programme and line management.
• Provide input to and develop ideas for communication materials and forward to the M&E Advisor of the programme. 
• Ensure visual documentation of activities.

Administration and Reporting:

• Support the reporting according to BMZ and EU standards.
• Active participation in the monitoring of the programme and exchanging experiences and lessons learnt with other colleagues. 
• Ensuring compliance with GIZ processes and rules (PuR). 

Supervision Received and Exercised 

Receives general direction from the EET Head of Component.

1. Required qualifications, competences, and experience 

Qualifications 

• Completed master’s degree in economics, business administration, finance, agricultural studies or comparable degree programs 
• Strong conceptual and analytical skills as well as high advisory competence in policy and private sector development.
• Experience supporting private sector development, policy advisory, or business ecosystem. 
• Experience in project management, including planning, implementing and monitoring projects in the context of international development cooperation.
• Familiarity with key tools, instruments, and frameworks used in private sector development. 
• Excellent working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint.
• English, also in reading and writing level C2, is a must. 

1. Other Duties/Additional Tasks

• Performs other duties and tasks at the request of management.

Professional experience 

• Several years of relevant experience in international development cooperation in the field of private sector development, finance, agriculture or similar areas. 

Other knowledge, additional competences 

• Commitment, team spirit, reliability, diplomatic skills, gender competence and intercultural understanding.
• Ability to think and act strategically and analytically, with quick perception and an eye for the essentials.
• Excellent people skills and ability to negotiate between different stakeholder groups.
• Able to work independently as well as part of a team. 
• Strong problem-solving skills, proactive, responsible and result oriented.
• Committed to deadlines and goal oriented.

Mode of Application:

Suitable candidates are invited to apply not later than 15.02.2026 with this ref: Advisor – Private Sector Development in the EET Project in Freetown.

Applications include: 

• Cover letter 
• CV (including work experience and references)
• Photocopies of certificates 

The above MUST be submitted to the email address recruitmentsl@giz.de. Only applicants shortlisted will be contacted for an interview. GIZ-Sierra Leone is an equal-opportunity employer, and therefore women are strongly encouraged to apply.