The African Development Bank (AfDB) is committed to promoting inclusive economic growth and private sector development in Africa. Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are critical drivers of economic diversification, job creation, and innovation. Strengthening SME value chains enhances their productivity, market access, and contribution to regional integration.
To achieve these objectives, the AfDB seeks to engage a Senior SME Value Chain Consultant to provide technical expertise in mapping, analyzing, and strengthening SME value chains within selected sectors/countries and in developing/sourcing/mobilising products and offerings that will be appropriate for the SME client base within the context of specific value chains while establishing the Bank as a leading player in this space.
The SME Business Development Division (PISD.1) seeks to recruit a Senior Value Chain Consultant for a period of 4 months over a 12-month period. Reporting to the Principal Advisory Services Officer, the Senior SME Value Chain Consultant will provide support to staff in the Division and, as required, to other Bank teams. The consultant, as the subject matter expert, will provide hands-on SME value chain expertise and execution support to finalize program designs, secure internal clearances, and advance priority partnerships across different value chain programs with selected teams from the Bank and relevant participating aggregators and corporates. The assignment will enable the Division Manager and task managers to focus on strategic steering as the flagship programs transition from design to launch and begin to interface with local and regional aggregators and corporates, offering a range of offerings to improve access to finance for participating SMEs.
Application Close Date
2026-06-09
Engagement Type
Individual Consultant
Job Family
4.Investment
A. Background Objectives
Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) play a pivotal role in achieving this objective by driving job c
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reation, innovation, and private sector development. Despite their importance, SMEs across Africa continue to face significant constraints in accessing finance and knowledge to play a prominent part in domestic and regional value chains. Notably, many large corporations committed to engaging with local SMEs struggle to find enterprises with the appropriate skills and capabilities to operate in a modern value chain.
In response, AfDB aims to enhance its SME-focused value chain offerings. It will offer these through eligible long-term relationships established with principal aggregators and programs focused on developing local capabilities to sustainably support a value chain. These interventions aim to strengthen local private companies with a strategic intent to enter the respective value chains. Key components of any value chain program will be to expand access to finance for underserved SMEs and to build these companies' capacity to adopt and develop from technical and standards perspectives. These capabilities may be delivered separately or in cooperation with the aggregators acting as sponsors of a given program. The overall objective of this assignment is to support the African Development Bank’s (the Bank) through the SME Business Development Division (PISD.1) within the Private Sector, Infrastructure and Industrialization Vice Presidency (PIVP), to design, operationalize, supervise, and monitor SME focused value chain interventions across selected Regional Member Countries (RMCs), with a primary focus on the LINK AFRICA PROGRAM. The consultant will provide strategic, sector-specific technical leadership to help transform LINK AFRICA PROGRAM from an ad hoc, project-by-project approach into a more systematic, evidence-based value chain development program. The main objective of this consultancy is to support the AfDB in enhancing the competitiveness, efficiency, and sustainability of SMEs by: 1. Mapping and analyzing key SME value chains around several sectors such as Aviation, Construction, Railway, Energy, Pharmaceutical, Automotive, Agriculture/ Agro processing, as designated by Bank staff. 2. Identifying bottlenecks, gaps, and opportunities in SME operations to create a coherent value chain plan that can be implemented by the Bank within the parameters of LINK AFRICA PROGRAM and/or other Bank programs. 3. Providing actionable recommendations and technical input into the design of interventions to strengthen SME linkages, access to finance, and market integration. 4. Design a Bank-endorsed methodology and prioritization framework for selecting value chains such as Aviation, Construction, Railway, Energy, Automotive, Agriculture/ Agro processing. 5. Conduct diagnostics in priority sectors and develop value chain blueprints with clear SME entry points, competitiveness gaps, intervention models, and financing pathways. 6. Advise on sector-specific SME financing approaches such as supply chain finance, guarantees, and other financial instruments. 7. Support project teams in embedding strong value chain components into new operations; and 8. Produce practical guidance notes and tools to help institutionalize consistent, high-quality value chain work across the Bank.
B. Scope of work
The Senior Value Chain Consultant will be responsible for the following tasks: A. Methodology an
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d Framework Development • Design a Bank-endorsed methodology and prioritization framework for selecting value chains. • Ensure the methodology incorporates economic, social, gender, and regional integration considerations. • Mobilize knowledge to create a strong offering of technical products, capacity building offerings, and financial tools from Financial Intermediaries. B. Value Chain Diagnostics and Blueprinting • Conduct diagnostics in priority sectors, identifying critical constraints, competitiveness gaps, and SME entry points. • Develop value chain blueprints detailing intervention models, financing pathways, and opportunities for SME integration. • Identify and map critical SME value chains in the targeted sectors (up to 5-8 value chains: Aviation, Construction, Railway, Energy, Pharmaceutical, Automotive, Agriculture/ Agro processing): o Analyze the flow of goods, services, and information along the value chains. o Assess SME linkages with suppliers, distributors, financial institutions, and markets. o Drive forward an approach that meets the needs of the client and the capabilities of the program. o Identify challenges affecting SME productivity and competitiveness (such as finance, technology, skills, regulations). o Evaluate opportunities for value addition, efficiency improvements, and market expansion. o Assess gender inclusion and youth participation within value chains. C. SME Financing and Sector-Specific Advice • Advise on sector-specific SME financing approaches, including innovative models for risk- sharing, blended finance, and access to markets. • Identify potential financial instruments to enhance SME participation in key value chains. D. Support for Project Teams • Assist project teams in embedding strong value components into new and ongoing operations, including those related to Aviation, Construction, Railway, Energy, Automotive, Agriculture/ Agro processing.. • Provide hands-on technical guidance to ensure consistency and quality across interventions. • Assist in the identification and mobilization of sector experts. E. Institutional Knowledge and Tools • Contribute to building a value chain practice in the Bank. • Produce practical guidance notes, tools, and templates to help institutionalize value chain best practices. • Support training and capacity-building initiatives for Bank staff and partners. F. Stakeholder Engagement in specific value chain opportunities • Engage with public and private sector stakeholders, including government agencies, industry associations, SMEs, and development partners. • Facilitate workshops, focus group discussions, and interviews to gather insights and validate findings. • Build internal capacity within the Bank by documenting lessons learned and providing practical guidance for designing and implementing value chain interventions. G. Recommendations and Reporting • Develop actionable recommendations for strengthening SME value chains. • Provide guidance on potential interventions, capacity-building programs, and policy support. • Prepare comprehensive analytical reports, presentations, and policy briefs.
C. Deliverables Expected
The Senior SME Value Chain Consultant is expected to deliver: • Inception Report (within 2 weeks
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of contract signature): methodology, work plan, stakeholder map, and proposed prioritization criteria. • Value Chain Prioritization Framework (Month 1): scoring matrix and selection rationale aligned to economic, inclusion (youth/women), ESG, and regional integration objectives. • Value Chain Diagnostics & Blueprints (Months 2–10): up to 5–8 value chain diagnostic packs/blueprints (each including map, constraints, SME entry points, intervention menu, and financing pathways). • Expert Mobilization Plan (Month 2): roster approach + onboarding steps + management approach. • Stakeholder Consultation Summaries (rolling): workshop/interview summaries and validation notes. • Final Consolidated Report + Presentation (Month 12): synthesis of findings, prioritized interventions, tools/templates, and recommendations for institutionalization.
D. Duration and Timetable for the Assignment
The assignment will be carried out over a 12 month period, with a total level of effort equivalent t
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o 4 months, commencing on 1 July 2026 (or on the date of contract signature if later). Outputs will be delivered on a rolling basis, in accordance with priorities agreed with the Principal Advisory Services Officer.
E. Bank Contribution and Institutional Arrangement
The African Development Bank will provide the Senior Value Chain Consultant with the necessary insti
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tutional support to deliver the assignment effectively. The Bank’s contribution and working arrangements will include the following: • Supervision and Reporting. • Access to Information and Internal Stakeholders. • Logistical and Administrative Support. • Coordination with External Stakeholders. • Oversight and Quality Assurance.
F. Duty Station
Abidjan (Ivory Coast), with flexibility for remote work at pre-agreed times
G. Essential Specialized Skills/Knowledge/Competencies
• Master’s degree in economics, Business, Agribusiness, Supply Chain Management, Value Chain Develop
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ment, or a related field. • Minimum of 15 years of experience in value chain analysis, SME development, or private sector development. • Proven experience in value chain mapping, market analysis, and policy assessment. • Knowledge of African markets and SME ecosystems is highly desirable, especially in Supply and Value Chains. • Demonstrated experience designing and implementing SME linkage/value chain programs involving anchor corporates/aggregators. • Demonstrated knowledge of SME financing instruments relevant to value chains (e.g., supply chain finance, guarantees, risk sharing, blended finance). • Strong analytical, research, and report-writing skills. • Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills. • Ability to work independently and deliver quality outputs within tight timelines. • Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and/or French (both preferred). • Ability to work independently and as part of a multi-disciplinary team in multicultural and multi-stakeholder environments. • Familiarity with digital tools for data collection and analysis. • Knowledge of African SME ecosystems, financial markets, and development finance is highly desirable.
H. Supervisor
• The Senior SME Value Chain Consultant will work under the overall accountability of the Division M
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anager, PISD.1, and will report on technical deliverables to the Principal Advisory Services Officer, PISD.1. • The position may require collaboration with other divisions, operational teams, and external partners.
Consultancy Input Days
261.00
Qualifications
Qualification
Assessment
Regular Consultant
Less than 32 years old at the time of signing the contract and during contract execution
