Micro and Small Enterprise Advisor – GIZ

Position Summary

The Micro and Small Enterprise Advisor will combine business assessment, advisory support, and hands-on assistance to entrepreneurs.

The role involves reviewing business applications and investment plans, assessing basic financial information, providing practical feedback, responding to entrepreneurs’ questions, supporting digital application processes, and helping entrepreneurs become better prepared to access finance and business development opportunities.

The successful candidate should have a strong understanding of micro and small businesses, good digital skills, attention to detail, and a service-oriented approach.

Key Responsibilities

Entrepreneur Support & Grant Application Assessment

• Support WIDU entrepreneurs throughout the application and funding process.
• Review business applications and investment plans.
• Assess proposed investments, business rationale, and basic financial information.
• Identify gaps and inconsistencies and provide practical feedback.
• Check applications against WIDU eligibility and programme requirements.
• Respond to entrepreneur enquiries and request additional information when necessary.
• Ensure applications progress accurately and on time.
• Work confidently with digital platforms, workflows, and application data.
• Contribute to FAQs, guidance materials, and entrepreneur support resources.

Access to Finance & Business Development

• Help entrepreneurs improve their readiness to access external finance.
• Identify gaps in business and financial information.
• Identify common barriers entrepreneurs face when accessing finance.
• Assess coaching and capacity-building needs.
• Guide entrepreneurs toward relevant financing and business development opportunities.
• Connect entrepreneurs with financial institutions, financing opportunities, training, and specialized support.
• Identify useful events, networking opportunities, and forums for entrepreneurs.

Project & Administrative Support

• Maintain accurate records of entrepreneur interactions, application reviews, and follow-ups.
• Support meetings, workshops, trainings, and project events.
• Prepare presentations, briefing materials, and meeting documentation.
• Support routine project management and administrative activities.
• Follow up on agreed actions and deadlines.
• Provide flexible operational support to the team when required.

Requirements

Education

University degree in:

• Business Administration
• Management
• Economics
• Finance
• Entrepreneurship
• Related fields

Professional Experience

• At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in business support, entrepreneurship, SME development, client advisory services, financial services, or related areas.
• Practical experience working directly with micro, small, or medium-sized enterprises or entrepreneurs.
• Experience advising or supporting businesses in areas such as business planning, investment, financing, or business development.
• Experience reviewing business applications, investment plans, business information, or supporting documents.
• Experience supporting clients through email and/or digital platforms.
• Experience in access to finance is an advantage.
• Experience in development cooperation, private-sector development, or entrepreneurship support programmes is an advantage.

Application Information

📍 Location: Addis Ababa
💼 Employment: Full-time
📅 Deadline: August 30, 2026
📧 Email:recruitment-ethiopia@giz.de

How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates should submit:

• Motivation letter
• Recent CV

Email Subject:
Your Full Name_ Micro and Small Enterprise Advisor #085/2026

⚠️ Important: The vacancy number and position title must be included in the email subject line. Applications without the required vacancy number in the subject may be disqualified.

GIZ states that it is an equal-opportunity employer and encourages qualified candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply.