The SME Business Development Division (PISD.1) seeks to recruit a Senior SME Technical Consultant for an initial six month assignment, renewable subject to satisfactory performance, divisional needs, budget availability and the required approvals. Reporting to the Division Manager, the consultant will provide hands on advisory, coordination and delivery support as the SME Action Plan moves into implementation. The assignment will prioritize four areas: partnerships and resource mobilization; strengthening PISD.1’s monitoring and evaluation approach; strategic advisory to improve the design and deployment of integrated technical assistance linked to investment, non sovereign (NSO) and sovereign (SO) transactions; and strategic communications and visibility, including the SME Advisory LinkedIn platform and thought leadership. The consultant will also support the operationalization of the SME flagship programs and selected cross Bank SME workstreams.
Application Close Date
2026-10-10
Engagement Type
Individual Consultant
Job Family
13.Economics, Statistics and Data Management
A. Background Objectives
As the SME Action Plan moves from design into operational delivery, PISD.1 requires dedicated senior technical capacity to help convert approved priorities into implementable programs, stronger partnerships, mobilized resources, measurable results and a clearer Bank wide SME offer. The objective of the consultancy is to provide senior level technical, strategic and hands on execution support to PISD.1, with particular emphasis on four priorities: • accelerating partnerships and resource mobilization for the SME Action Plan and related programs; • strengthening PISD.1’s monitoring and evaluation architecture, including the Discovery and Minimum Viable Product (MVP) workstream; • developing and applying an enhanced approach to integrated technical assistance (TA) design and deployment alongside investment, NSO and SO transactions; and • strengthening strategic communications and visibility, including the SME Advisory LinkedIn platform, executive communications and thought leadership.
Alongside these priorities, the consultant will support the operationalization of EnterpRise Africa, the SME Credit Catalyst Program and Link Africa, and other related workstreams assigned by the Division Manager.
B. Scope of work
The consultant will work under the supervision of the Division Manager, PISD.1, providing senior technical, strategic, coordination and delivery support to advance implementation of the SME Action Plan and related Division priorities. The assignment is expected to combine strategic advice with hands on execution, including the preparation and delivery of high quality technical, analytical and management outputs. 1. Partnerships and Resource Mobilization • Support the development and implementation of PISD.1’s partnership and resource mobilization approach across development finance institutions, bilateral and philanthropic partners, private sector actors, investors and other relevant stakeholders. • Identify and assess priority partnership and funding opportunities aligned with the SME Action Plan and the Division’s programs and strategic priorities. • Prepare and refine concept notes, proposals, partner materials, briefing documents and other documentation required to advance priority engagements. • Support engagement with prospective partners and resource providers, including preparation for senior management discussions and coordination of agreed actions. • Support appropriate systems for tracking partnerships, funding opportunities and engagement progress.
2. Monitoring, Evaluation and Results • Provide senior technical support to strengthen PISD.1’s approach to monitoring, evaluation, learning and results reporting across SME programs and operations. • Work closely with relevant technical resources to strengthen indicators, results frameworks, data collection approaches, reporting arrangements and portfolio level analysis. • Support alignment of the Division’s approach with the Bank’s corporate results framework and applicable partner reporting requirements. • Contribute to the development and testing of practical tools and systems that improve the collection, analysis and presentation of SME development results. • Provide technical guidance, quality assurance and coaching to strengthen M&E capacity within the Division.
3. Strategic Advisory: Integrated Technical Assistance Design and Deployment • Advise on approaches to strengthen the integration of technical assistance within Bank financing and investment operations, including sovereign and non sovereign operations. • Support Bank teams in identifying opportunities to incorporate SME focused technical assistance into the design and implementation of relevant operations. • Contribute to the structuring of integrated financing and advisory solutions that respond to client needs and strengthen the capabilities of financial institutions, corporates, public institutions and SME ecosystem actors. • Support selected operations in translating integrated technical assistance approaches into practical implementation arrangements, project components and documentation. • Develop practical guidance and tools to support stronger coordination between technical, investment, sector and regional teams involved in SME related operations.
4. Strategic Communications, Visibility and Thought Leadership • Support the development and launch of an SME Advisory digital platform aimed at strengthening engagement with SME experts, advisers, service providers and other relevant stakeholders. • Support the development of relevant content, knowledge materials and opportunities to build an active SME advisory community.
• Develop thought leadership and strategic communications materials on SME development, entrepreneurship and emerging areas of relevance to the Bank. • Prepare high quality briefing notes, talking points, presentations, speeches, management materials and other communications products for the Division Manager and PIVP leadership. • • Help translate emerging evidence, operational experience and lessons from PISD.1 programs into relevant knowledge and visibility products.
C. Deliverables Expected
The consultant shall produce high quality, actionable outputs on a rolling basis, according to priorities agreed with the Division Manager. Deliverables are expected to demonstrate both senior technical judgement and hands on execution. • Monthly progress reports summarizing activities undertaken, outputs delivered, key engagements, implementation issues, recommended actions and priorities for the following period, together with relevant supporting materials. • Partnership and resource mobilization outputs, including analysis of priority opportunities, partner engagement materials, concept notes, proposals, presentations, briefing materials and practical tools to support the management of the partnership and funding pipeline. • Monitoring, evaluation and results outputs that strengthen the Division’s approach to measuring and communicating SME development results, including contributions to results frameworks, indicators, reporting arrangements, data tools and approaches for portfolio level analysis and learning. • Integrated technical assistance outputs supporting stronger alignment between technical assistance and Bank financing operations, including practical guidance, implementation approaches, project documentation and technical inputs to selected operations. • Strategic communications and knowledge products, including materials supporting the development of the SME Advisory digital platform, thought leadership products, knowledge content, management communications and external visibility activities. • SME program implementation outputs supporting the operationalization and continued development of priority SME programs, including implementation guidance, operating arrangements, governance approaches, delivery tools, roadmaps and other documentation required to support effective implementation. • Technical and analytical outputs on SME finance and other priority initiatives, including concept notes, analytical papers, working group materials, recommendations and implementation inputs as agreed with the Division Manager. • Management and decision support materials, including briefing notes, options papers, presentations, talking points, speeches and other technical or strategic materials required by the Division Manager, PIVP leadership and relevant Bank decision making processes.
D. Duration and Timetable for the Assignment
The assignment will be carried out over an initial six (6) month period, commencing on December 17th, 2026. The consultancy may be renewed subject to satisfactory performance, the evolving needs of the Division, availability of resources and the required approvals. The consultant will deliver outputs on a rolling basis according to workstream priorities agreed with the Division Manager.
E. Bank Contribution and Institutional Arrangement
The African Development Bank will provide the consultant with the necessary institutional support to effectively deliver the assignment. 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
Remote, in one of the Bank’s regional or non-regional member countries.
G. Essential Specialized Skills/Knowledge/Competencies
This is a delivery role, not advisory only. The consultant is expected to draft, produce, negotiate, coordinate and finalize. • Advanced degree in economics, finance, public policy, business administration, international development, or a related field. • Minimum 20 years of progressively responsible experience in SME/MSME technical assistance, non financial services, finance and/or private sector development, with at least 15 years in IFI/DFI settings and substantive experience across African markets. • Demonstrated experience developing and executing partnerships and resource mobilization strategies with DFIs/IFIs, bilateral partners, trust funds, foundations, philanthropic actors and private/impact investors, including preparation of proposals, pitches, term sheets and cofinancing structures. • Strong practical experience with results frameworks, theories of change, KPIs, data flows, dashboards and portfolio level M&E/reporting approaches, including the ability to guide technical specialists and translate M&E into decision useful evidence. • Proven experience designing and deploying integrated technical assistance alongside investment and financing operations, including NSO and/or SO transactions, with a strong understanding of how advisory, implementation arrangements and financing need to be structured together. • Proven ability to author, not just advise on, high quality outputs end to end, including design notes, operational manuals, ToCs/results frameworks, SOPs, term sheets, proposals, MoUs/LoIs, Board/management briefs, dashboards and partner decks under tight deadlines and with minimal supervision. • Track record leading and executing SME program design and implementation readiness work, including enterprise support, financial intermediation, risk sharing/blended finance and ecosystem strengthening initiatives. • Ability to develop senior level strategic communications and thought leadership materials and to support professional outreach/knowledge platforms that strengthen institutional visibility and stakeholder engagement. • Familiarity with AfDB or peer IFI processes and ability to coordinate across complexes/departments and with governments, DFIs, foundations, financial intermediaries, TA providers, fintechs and ecosystem actors. • Exceptional analytical, drafting and presentation skills; strong relationship building, negotiation and facilitation skills; and confidence working with senior management and external partners. • Fluency in English required; French highly desirable. • Bias to action, delivery discipline, ownership mindset, sound judgment, integrity and discretion; ability to thrive in lean, fast moving and multistakeholder environments. • Willingness to travel to RMCs as needed to support implementation and partner engagements
H. Supervisor
SME Business Development Division (PISD.1) Manager
Consultancy Input Days
130.00
Qualifications
Qualification
Assessment
Regular Consultant
Less than 32 years old at the time of signing the contract and during contract execution
