About EDI Ethiopia

The Entrepreneurship Development Institute (EDI) Ethiopia is an autonomous quasi-institution reporting to the Ministry of Labor and Skills (MOLS). EDI was re-formed as an institute in 2021 following the latest government reorganization bringing together two entities, namely: The UNDP-supported Entrepreneurship Development Center (EDC), established in February 2013, and the World Bank financed Women Entrepreneurship Development Project (WEDP), established in December 2012.

EDI aims to promote the emergence of a vibrant, competitive, and innovative private sector in particular a dynamic entrepreneurship and startup ecosystem in Ethiopia. EDI offers a comprehensive package of entrepreneurship development programs, an end-to-end BDS program packages aimed at supporting MSMEs including access to finance, market linkages, incubation, and acceleration services. Following its new mandate as a national institute, EDI plays a key role in the Ethiopian entrepreneurial ecosystem providing guidance and support for the standardization of the entrepreneurship and BDS programs through a strategic shift encompassing the systemic role to build the capacities of other public and private institutions in the ecosystem to replicate impact.

The Opportunity

EDI Ethiopia through a grant agreement with GiZ - Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is implementing a pilot BDS Voucher System Project that aims to improve Small and Medium Enterprises' (SMEs) access to quality Business Development Services (BDS) in Ethiopia. The project will provide SMEs with vouchers to cover part of the costs of accessing high-quality and impactful BDS. This voucher system incentivizes SMEs to invest in professional services to improve their operations and growth prospects. Additionally, the project envisions to build the capacity of local BDS providers and stimulate demand for their services by increasing visibility, promoting demand-driven BDS and generally contributing to the growth of the BDS market in Ethiopia.

The Project Coordinator will be responsible to lead and coordinate the overall implementation, and management of this pilot project.

Scope of Work

Under the direct supervision of the BDS & Innovation Services Director and in partnership with other program directors, the incumbent will be responsible to plan, coordinate, monitor, and evaluate the BDS Voucher System Project activities. This role will help expand opportunities for SMEs to have access to quality BDS through a subsidized voucher system which contributes to the promotion of demand-driven BDS.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

• The specific duties of the Project Coordinator will include the following but not limited to:

• Develop and oversee the implementation plan for the voucher system including timelines, roles, and processes.

• Lead outreach to SMEs on availability of vouchers and application process; provide support to SMEs throughout the project life cycle, organize orientation sessions for both SMEs and BDS providers.

• Manage enrolment of BDS providers and SMEs into the digital voucher platform based on pre-defined eligibility criteria and voucher contribution schemes.

• Coordinate a matchmaking process to ensure BDS providers and SMEs are linked for service delivery.

• Lead recruitment, onboarding, and contracts of qualified BDS providers into the voucher system program in collaboration with other partners.

• Coordinate voucher allocation, distribution, verification, reimbursements to BDS providers.

• Track voucher utilization rates; identify challenges and opportunities to optimize system.

• Monitor and evaluate delivery of BDS services supported by vouchers based on key performance indicators;

• Ensuring the smooth operation of the voucher system by establishing a mechanism to handle conflict and transparency.

• Liaise between SMEs, BDS providers, and other stakeholders to facilitate cooperation.

• Prepare regular reports on progress and impact of the voucher system project.

• Continuously identify operational improvements for the voucher system and its components.

• Stay updated on developments in BDS space to match SME needs and available expertise.

• Manage project budget related to vouchers and their usage.

• Efficiently execute any other tasks and responsibilities as required by the BDS & Innovation Serviced Director and other line directors. 

Reports To: BDS & Innovation Services Director

Contract duration: 9 months with a possibility of extension  

Job Requirements

Required Qualification:

• Master's degree in management, business administration, economics, information technology, or other related fields with relevant experience in delivery or coordination of entrepreneurship development and BDS programs.

• 5+ years of experience in managing and/or leading projects related with entrepreneurship development, BDS, economic development, capacity building programs etc.

• Certificate of Entrepreneurship Training Workshop (ETW) or BDS provided by EDI Ethiopia would be a plus.

Skills and knowledge:

• Knowledge of entrepreneurship, BDS, MSME development and preferably voucher systems.

• Knowledge on project cycle management, monitoring and evaluation frameworks, M&E tools/software, data analytics tools such as Power BI

• Excellent interpersonal skills, written and verbal communication skills, presentation/facilitation, report writing, analytical and critical thinking skills.

• Entrepreneurial, innovative, and problem-solving mindset.

• Supervisory skills and capacity to be a member of a multidisciplinary team.

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office 365 tools and other relevant computer skills.

How to Apply

Application Instruction

Interested applicants must submit their cover letter and CV named with their Full Name via hr@edi-ethiopia.org and or on ethiojobs.net clearly indicating the position they are applying for as a subject up to or before January 12, 2024 5:00 PM. Applicants that would like to apply for another vacancy must repeat the same procedure. Even though we highly encourage digital applications via email, for applicants that would like to submit paper-based applications please enclose your cover letter and CV in an envelope and submit it at the reception of EDI’s headquarters located at Wesen Grocery, inside CEE Compound, new building ground floor reception office. Location: CLICK HERE. If you face any difficulty in the application process please contact us on: +251944878338 or info@edi-ethiopia.org . Female Applicants are highly encouraged to apply for all positions

Please be aware that EDI Ethiopia does not demand any payment from applicants at any stage of the recruitment and selection process. Additionally, EDI Ethiopia has not enlisted any agent for recruitment purposes. We emphasize that EDI Ethiopia is an equal opportunity employer.