About the Organization
Expertise France is a public agency for international technical cooperation. The ECOTRADE Project adopts a private-sector led value chain development approach to boost intra-African trade, promote greater economic integration, foster sustainable growth, and employment.
Job Summary
The operationalization of the AfCFTA offers a transformative opportunity for Ghanaian businesses to expand into new markets and strengthen their competitiveness. To achieve this, both the private and public sector need to be abreast with current trends, information and practical tools to fully harness the potential the AfCFTA presents. Private sector representation is often fragmented across umbrella bodies, chambers of commerce, and sector-specific associations (e.g., agriculture, manufacturing, logistics, women entrepreneurs). OD support creates structured coordination mechanisms (e.g., Joint Technical Working Groups or Secretariats).
Organizational development (OD) support for private sector member-based associations (MBAs) within the AfCFTA framework is designed to transform isolated trade advocacy groups into a cohesive, coordinated network capable of helping businesses trade under the agreement.
Currently, Expertise France seeks the services of a consultant to provide yet to be defined Organizational Development Support to selected private sector institutions.
Key Responsibilities
Phase 1: Inception & Institutional Assessment
Inception Report & Work Plan: Outlines the detailed methodology, stakeholder engagement strategy, timeline, and data collection tools (e.g., organizational capacity assessment frameworks tailored for trade associations).
Organizational Capacity Assessment (OCA) Reports: Individual diagnostic reports for each of the 4 associations evaluating:
Governance, leadership structure, and administrative procedures.
Technical capacity to analyse AfCFTA protocols and deliver trade facilitation services to members.
Membership management, revenue sustainability, and communication channels.
Coordination Gap Analysis: A synthesis report mapping existing private-sector coordination mechanisms, identifying overlaps, communication silos, and friction points among the 4 associations and key public stakeholders (e.g., National AfCFTA Coordination Committee, Ministry of Trade, Customs).
Phase 2: Strategic Roadmaps & Coordination Frameworks
Tailored Institutional Development Plans (IDPs): Customized 2–3-year roadmaps for each association detailing prioritized action plans for internal governance, financial sustainability, and service diversification.
Joint Private-Sector Stakeholder Coordination Framework: A standardized Charter, Terms of Reference (ToR), or Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) establishing a formal joint coordination platform (e.g., a Joint AfCFTA Technical Working Group) to consolidate policy positions across all 4 associations.
Phase 3: Operationalization, Capacity Building & Sustainability
Targeted Capacity Building & Operational Toolkits:
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) or manuals for association secretariats covering policy advocacy, data collection, and member service delivery.
Training modules and workshops delivered to association executives and secretariats on change management, stakeholder facilitation, and resource mobilization.
Resource Mobilization & Sustainability Strategy: A framework outlining revenue-generation strategies (e.g., premium AfCFTA advisory services, specialized events, fee-based training) to ensure financial independence post-consultancy.
Final Assignment Report & Monitoring Framework: A comprehensive final report detailing achievements, lessons learned, and an M&E framework with key performance indicators (KPIs) to track ongoing coordination and institutional growth.
Required Qualifications
Education: Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Organizational Development, Business Administration, Public Administration, Strategic Management, Industrial/Organizational Psychology, or International Trade/Development.
Overall Professional Experience: Minimum of 8–10 years of professional experience leading institutional capacity building, organizational restructuring, or strategic planning initiatives.
Demonstrated track record (at least 5 years) working directly with private sector member-based associations, business councils, trade associations, or chambers of commerce.
Proven experience conducting Organizational Capacity Assessments (OCAs), functional reviews, and designing Institutional Development Plans (IDPs) or strategic roadmaps.
Hands-on experience designing and delivering interactive workshops, change management interventions, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and training modules for senior executives and secretariat staff.
English required; Amharic an asset.
Required Skills and Competencies
Candidate’s training/skills/experience
Candidate’s training/diplomas related to the expert assignment
Candidate’s skills linked with the expert mission
Candidate’s experiences linked with the expert mission
Candidate’s expected linguistic understanding
Assessment of the candidate’s skills in the sought-after domain
Candidate’s understanding of cooperation project stakes
Candidate’s understanding of the mission’s role in the cooperation project