Mission description

Expertise France is launching a call for applications for the position of National Focal Points (NFPs) to be based in the potential countries of implementation of the SWITCH to Circular Economy in Eastern and Southern Africa (SWITCH 2 CE in ESA) Programme, namely: Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and South Africa.

These NFP will support the implementation and success of the SWITCH-2-CE in ESA Project through the following thematic areas.

ACTIVITY 1. Stakeholder Engagement and coordination

• Map and maintain relationships with key national stakeholders, including:
  • Relevant line ministries (e.g., Environment, Industry, Trade, Finance, SME Development) and RECs.
  • National development agencies, investment promotion authorities, and Environment Agencies.
  • Financial institutions (banks, micro-finance institutions, development banks) and Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises involved in CE, in particular in the 2 Project Value chains.
  • Business Associations, CE Advocacy Associations, and CSOs involved in CE.
• Support Project engagements with the stakeholders and facilitate implementation efforts.

ACTIVITY 2. Enabling CE Policy Frameworks

• Act as the first point of contact for stakeholders in-country regarding Outcome 1
• Policy Support Facility
  • Coordinate support efforts to beneficiaries of the Policy Support Facility.
  • Support efforts to raise awareness on the Policy Support Facility
• Policy Dialogues
  • Support the implementation of national policy dialogues on CE
• Knowledge Production and dissemination on CE
  • Support Project efforts on knowledge production and dissemination activities relating to CE

ACTIVITY 3. Matching Grant Facility (MGF)

• Act as the first point of contact for stakeholders in-country regarding the MGF
• Assist in the identification and pre-screening of potential applicants for 3rd party organisations that would manage grants
• Assist in the identification and pre-screening of BDS providers that would provide CE technical expertise to CE businesses.
• Facilitate outreach to local financial institutions.
• Facilitate the outreach to potential eligible MSMEs that could benefit from the MGF
• Provide local insights and intelligence on financial ecosystem dynamics, MSME challenges, and enabling environment.
• Monitor in-country developments in circular economy and report on opportunities or risks for the MGF.

ACTIVITY 4: Monitoring and Learning

• Produce periodic reports on Project activities and progress made in CE in the respective country.
• Carry out monitoring activities and contribute to the collection and consolidation of M&E data to feed into project indicators and reporting requirements.

Activity 5: General Support

• Provide general country support such as identifying local experts and supporting with local administrative processes.

Project or context description

Expertise France and GIZ are jointly implementing the Switch to Circular Economy (SWITCH-2-CE in ESA) programme, funded by the European Union. The overall objectiveof the SWITCH-2-CE in ESA programme is to foster an inclusive transition to circular economy in East and Southern Africa (ESA). The programme seeks to contribute to the mitigation of climate change by promoting green and circular business models and strengthening the regulatory and policy framework for circular economy.

The SWITCH-2-CE in ESA Project would be implemented in 13 ESA countries, namely Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. The identification of these countries is provisional and may be further validated or adjusted based on the outcomes of the inception and analysis phase.

SWITCH-2-CE in ESA programme is structured around three main objectives (outcomes), with two priority value chains: “packaging/plastics waste” and “electronics/e-waste”. The three main objectives are:

• Outcome 1: Establish an enabling policy framework for circular economy across the ESA region.

Under Outcome 1, the Project efforts will seek to improve access to resources on inclusive circular economy (CE) best practices by Policymakers, support integration of CE principles into policy frameworks and grow public sector capacity to support CE through Extended Producer Responsibility schemes.

• Outcome 2: Enhance the participation of formal and informal workers and SMEs, including women and youth, in circular economy models.

Under Outcome 2, the Project efforts will seek to support the integration of CE topics into Higher Education and TVET with gender-sensitive approaches, improve the availability of inclusive CE training to women, youth, and informal workers, and improve firm’s access to CE knowledge and best practice materials across the region.

• Outcome 3: Improve access to and use of financing by circular economy businesses.

Under Outcome 3, the Project efforts will seek to improve access to financial services to CE start-ups and SMEs, especially those led by youth and women, and improving availability of incubation and advisory support for business planning, financial readiness, and technology development.

The MGF will be implemented via third-party organisations, which will be responsible for co-selecting and disbursing grants to eligible businesses operating within the two targeted value chains.

Structure of the MGF: Expertise France → Third-party organizations → Final beneficiaries (MSMEs & start-ups)

In terms of definitions, E-waste encompasses discarded electrical and electronic equipment with a plug or battery, including items like smartphones, laptops, televisions, refrigerators, and small household appliances. Plastic packaging includes plastic materials used to contain, protect, handle, or deliver products, such as bottles, containers, wrappers, films, and single-use plastics like bags, straws, and takeaway food packaging.

Required profile

• At least 5 years’ experience in stakeholder mobilisation, coordination or policy advocacy preferably in sustainable development, private sector development or green economy.
• Advanced University degree in economics, business administration, environment or related fields.
• Strong knowledge of national economic, financial, and environmental policy landscape.
• Proven track record of engaging with government ministries, RECs, private sector actors, and development partners.
• Proven experience working in supporting the private sector and knowledge of the MSME support ecosystem is a strong advantage.
• Familiarity with circular economy concepts and green financing mechanisms is an added advantage.
• Individual with strong networks and a solid understanding of their national circular economy landscape
• Ability to work independently and remotely, with strong organizational skills.
• Nationality or proven professional expertise in one of the 13 target countries
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and reporting skills.
• Language: English and Portuguese in the case of Angola and Mozambique

Additional information

Documentation to Be Submitted

• CV (Focused on relevant experiences, not more than 2 pages)
• A brief technical proposal (2-3 pages max

• Map and maintain relationships with key national stakeholders, including: Relevant line ministries (e.g., Environment, Industry, Trade, Finance, SME Development) and RECs; National development agencies, investment promotion authorities, and Environment Agencies; Financial institutions (banks, micro-finance institutions, development banks) and Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises involved in CE, in particular in the 2 Project Value chains; Business Associations, CE Advocacy Associations, and CSOs involved in CE.
• Support Project engagements with the stakeholders and facilitate implementation efforts.
• Act as the first point of contact for stakeholders in-country regarding Outcome 1
• Coordinate support efforts to beneficiaries of the Policy Support Facility.
• Support efforts to raise awareness on the Policy Support Facility
• Support the implementation of national policy dialogues on CE
• Support Project efforts on knowledge production and dissemination activities relating to CE
• Act as the first point of contact for stakeholders in-country regarding the MGF
• Assist in the identification and pre-screening of potential applicants for 3rd party organisations that would manage grants
• Assist in the identification and pre-screening of BDS providers that would provide CE technical expertise to CE businesses.
• Facilitate outreach to local financial institutions.
• Facilitate the outreach to potential eligible MSMEs that could benefit from the MGF
• Provide local insights and intelligence on financial ecosystem dynamics, MSME challenges, and enabling environment.
• Monitor in-country developments in circular economy and report on opportunities or risks for the MGF.
• Produce periodic reports on Project activities and progress made in CE in the respective country.
• Carry out monitoring activities and contribute to the collection and consolidation of M&E data to feed into project indicators and reporting requirements.
• Provide general country support such as identifying local experts and supporting with local administrative processes.

• Stakeholder mobilisation
• Coordination
• Policy advocacy
• Sustainable development
• Private sector development
• Green economy
• National economic, financial, and environmental policy landscape knowledge
• Engaging with government ministries, RECs, private sector actors, and development partners
• Supporting the private sector
• MSME support ecosystem knowledge
• Circular economy concepts familiarity
• Green financing mechanisms familiarity
• Strong networks
• Solid understanding of national circular economy landscape
• Ability to work independently and remotely
• Strong organizational skills
• Excellent communication skills
• Facilitation skills
• Reporting skills

• At least 5 years’ experience in stakeholder mobilisation, coordination or policy advocacy preferably in sustainable development, private sector development or green economy.
• Advanced University degree in economics, business administration, environment or related fields.
• Strong knowledge of national economic, financial, and environmental policy landscape.
• Proven track record of engaging with government ministries, RECs, private sector actors, and development partners.
• Proven experience working in supporting the private sector and knowledge of the MSME support ecosystem is a strong advantage.
• Familiarity with circular economy concepts and green financing mechanisms is an added advantage.
• Individual with strong networks and a solid understanding of their national circular economy landscape
• Ability to work independently and remotely, with strong organizational skills.
• Nationality or proven professional expertise in one of the 13 target countries
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and reporting skills.
• Language: English and Portuguese in the case of Angola and Mozambique