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Industrial Development and Structural Transformation: Technical Advisor

Addis Ababa

  • Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
  • Location: Addis Ababa
  • Grade: Consultancy - International Consultant - Internationally recruited Contractors Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Operations and Administrations
    • Sustainable trade and development
    • Sustainable Development and Poverty Reduction
    • Project and Programme Management
  • Closing Date: Closed

Background

With more than 13 years of average double-digit economic growth behind it Ethiopia is now in the third year of the second Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP II, 2015-2020). In the first GTP period significant growth has been achieved in the manufacturing sector registering 21.7% growth as compared to 10.6% in the previous plan period. The manufacturing industry also registered 15.8% growth during GTP I as compared to 11.6% in the previous plan period. Regarding sectors contribution in GDP Industry sector contributed 1.5.2% during GTP I while its contribution in the previous plan period was 10.3%. That of manufacturing industry contribution was low at 4.8% showing not much improvement from the previous period contribution of 3.9%.

This growth rates are expected to be maintained in the second GTP as well with a planned growth rate of 20% for the sector and 21.9% for manufacturing. In the overall economy (GDP) industry sector is expected to contribute 22.3% by end of GTP II. The manufacturing industry’s contribution is set at 8% for end of GTP II while GTP III target (2025) is set at 18%. This indicates the country’s plan to continue with the growth momentums as well as introduce transformation in economic structure that is currently dominated by agriculture and service sectors. In addition to focus on diversifying the economy, it also planned to diversify as well as deepen the priority sub-sectors in the manufacturing industry. To this end 6 programs have been indentified and targets are set for each priority industry.

Ethiopia has managed have among the lowest levels of emissions in the world as a consequence of using hydro and other renewable sources of energy for electricity generation. Public sector investment into infrastructure has been a major driver of demand-side growth during GTP I as evidenced by the country having one of the highest public investments to GDP ratios in the world.

Accelerated industrial development with improved growth of the manufacturing sub-sector is a key part of the strategy for transforming the economy into Middle Income status by 2025. An integral part of this strategy is to ensure both balanced regional industrial development and integration of Ethiopian industries into regional and global markets. This will require capacity building of regional areas and of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), many of whom are located in regional areas. Capacity building requires investment, both public and private including domestic and foreign sources. This requires a critical review of the GTP targets on industry/manufacturing including the challenges faced and the required policy interventions.

Ethiopia’s population and employment is widely distributed over 11 regions agriculture accounting for over 80 percent of the employment. SME’s account for over 50 percent of employment though the number of formal SMEs is relatively low and the income per capita relatively low. SMEs play only a minor role in the Ethiopian economy but the potential to improve that contribution is significant. Skill deficiencies, small scale, lack of experience, weak technology transfer and coordination failures may be contributing to under-performance of SME through poor productivity and lack of competitiveness. Among the solutions for improving regional and SME performance are industry clusters and other coordinating network structures. Ethiopia is ranked very poorly on the state of cluster development.

Duties and Responsibilities

The specific tasks of the Industrial Development Adviser include:

Provide top notch policy and strategic advisory services to the Ministry on key issues in industrial development on emerging industrial policies, strategies and programme implementation challenges. This will be done  in the context of priority manufacturing sectors development, potentially requiring further attention at both National and Regional Government level;

Provide support to the development of a sectoral Implementation plan under the GTP II  inter-alia strategies for the growth of  manufacturing subsector, concept notes  and feasibility studies, including development of industrial clusters, along with actions to anchor the  implementation and  funding;

Provide substantive support to  the development of a comprehensive project document on capacity strengthening for accelerated  industrial transformation, including supporting the development of an industrial impact-output model of the Ethiopian economy by international consultants with  expertise in regional economic models;

Support for assessment of the performance and impact of various existing regional and SME policies and strategies, with focus on advice and support to put in place improved systems and structures. In this regard, the advisor will be required to periodically review and where necessary prepare assessments, highlighting potential strategic complementarities between planned and ongoing projects, policies and programmes at both a regional and national level;

Provide strategic and operational support for development of an industrial cluster in key regional centres, having regard to the basic economic requirements for a sustainable industrial cluster structure and raising of capital;

Provide strategic advice to enhance capacity of the  MoI and Regional Governments to effectively lead, support and monitor the performance of national and regional industrial development;

Identification of national and international best practices in effective orchestration of interventions to enhance regional industrialization;

Assess and identify constraints that affect increased private sector investment (both foreign and domestics) in industrial development and develop practical and implementable recommendations to remove or moderate constraints;

Provide support for  the capacity strengthening  of key MoI and Regional Government staff in supporting effective implementation and coordination in the area of regional industrial development including adaptation to the priority manufacturing sectors and application of the regional industrial model of the Ethiopian economy;

Support and oversee development of  GTP II implementation plan, analyse regional industrial development, identify and analyse constraints facing regional industrial development, transfer knowledge about regional industrial development and develop practical solutions and outcomes that have impact on commercial industrial enterprises, regional governments and productivity improvement at a regional level; and,

The Adviser will perform any other similar or related duties and assignments requested by the Minister and NPC.

Competencies

Problem Analysis: 

  • Demonstrates analytical capability to analyze impacts of priority industrial and national policies in the areas of regional industrial development; and identifies, defines, and analyzes operational problems and situations, and designs sustainable solutions to find practical ways around roadblocks;
  • Simplifies complex problems, understands causal links and impact of interventions, and generates solutions to problems based on sound judgment and awareness of the potential implications of these solutions;
  • Generates original ideas, and/or utilizes existing solutions/ideas in new and innovative ways supported by high quality advice for the Minister and NPC on remedial measures.

Technology and Innovation:

  • Understands role and potential of operational and communication technology at a regional level in facilitation development of networks and clusters and enabling improved growth in productivity.

Leadership:

  • Is able to advise the Minister and NPC on how to translate the national and regional industrial development goals of GTP II into achievable targets and work plans.

Team Work:

  • Works collaboratively with others, demonstrating commitment to achieve group objectives, understanding the needs and goals of others and adapting own views and behavior when appropriate.

Communication:

  • Demonstrates outstanding communication skills in English, both verbal and written;
  • Expected to be able to present information clearly and persuasively; seeking out the ideas and views of others at both a regional and national level;
  • Is adaptable but consistently professional, concise and engaging; and ensures that messages are understood and that input from others has been heard.  

Results / Quality Orientation:

  • Is able to set high standards and maintain the commitment, motivation and energy to achieve them while at the same time ensuring high quality of industrial programme coordination and advisory services.

Decision Making:

  • Confident in his/her capabilities and judgment and take decisions or make choices while ascertaining the risks and being conscious of his/her responsibilities.

Adaptability / Behavioural Flexibility:

  • Adjusts strategies and behaviors as new information becomes available and as priorities change

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • University Masters degree or PhD in the area of Industrialization and structural transformation, industrial clusters development and diversification, commercially oriented development studies, or related disciplines.

Experience:

  • Senior person with a minimum of 10 years of relevant work experience in advisory services in an international or national organization that has allowed her/him exposure to a range of successful industrial development programmes;
  • Alternatively, senior person with a minimum of 10 years of experience in policy advice, industrial research, and coordination of major industrial development programmes or development corridors preferably in a developing country with demonstrated success.  Understanding of formulation of national plans, sector strategies and regional industrial economic models would be an advantage;
  • Familiarity with bureaucratic requirements in a national and/or regional government ministry as well as exposures to coordination of development programmes will be an advantage.

Language:

  • Fluency in English (written and oral).
UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.
This vacancy is now closed.
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