Economic Programming and Private Business Partnerships Advisor

About the role

People in Need Ethiopia is looking for an Economic Programming and Private Business Partnerships Advisor to shape and strengthen its economic and private business programming portfolio. The role combines strategic oversight, programme delivery support (with the EU Empower project as a current priority), partnership development and external positioning, with a focus on market systems thinking, business engagement, resource mobilisation and the growth of market-relevant interventions. It is a national posting based in Addis Ababa, with a line manager who is the Deputy Country Director.

Key responsibilities

• Scan the economic landscape for new opportunities and emerging sectors, and lead market and sector assessments that feed into programme adaptation and new initiatives.
• Facilitate access to finance by brokering relationships with banks, microfinance institutions and impact investors.
• Lead business engagement and partnership development, growing a portfolio of high-value strategic partnerships and working with TVET institutions on skills pipelines and employer-linked programmes.
• Engage regional and national government stakeholders to align with policy priorities and advocate for market-enabling reforms.
• Oversee the quality of economic and market-facing interventions, guide partners and field teams, and promote youth and women's integration into value chains, green and climate-smart approaches, and circular economy models.
• Help set up monitoring frameworks, lead adaptive management, and prepare reports and strategic briefs for the Consortium and donors.
• Represent the Ethiopia CP externally, contribute to thought leadership and publications, share learning across partners, and support new business development, donor engagement and evidence-based advocacy.

Required profile

• Minimum 3 years of experience in economic development, livelihoods, market systems development, private sector engagement or partnership management.
• Demonstrated experience developing partnerships with private sector actors, financial institutions and investors in Ethiopia.
• Experience in programme design and implementation, business development and resource mobilisation, ideally including donor engagement and proposal development.
• Excellent spoken and written English; university degree in a relevant field.

What we offer

• Salary of 1,020 to 1,451 USD depending on experience, with a standard 40-hour week.
• Per diems, transport allowance, bank loan facilities and living cost adjustment allowance.
• 20 days of paid annual leave, medical and accident insurance, pension contribution of 11% from the organisation, and maternity and paternity leave.
• Career growth, capacity building and internal and online learning opportunities.

To apply, send your CV and a short cover letter through the application form; interviews are held on a rolling basis and the vacancy closes when filled.