The African Development Bank (AfDB) is seeking to recruit a Senior SME Value Chain Consultant to support the design, operationalisation, supervision, and monitoring of small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) value chain interventions across selected African countries.
The consultant will work with the SME Business Development Division (PISD.1) under the Bank’s Private Sector, Infrastructure and Industrialisation Vice Presidency (PIVP) and will play a key role in advancing the Bank’s flagship Link Africa Programme.
The four-month consultancy, spread over 12 months beginning July 1, 2026, will focus on strengthening SME participation in strategic sectors including aviation, construction, railways, energy, pharmaceuticals, automotive, agriculture, and agro-processing.
According to the Bank, the consultant will provide technical leadership in mapping and analyzing SME value chains, identifying financing opportunities, developing intervention frameworks, and supporting project teams to integrate value chain development into Bank operations.
The assignment is aimed at helping transform the Link Africa Programme from a project-by-project initiative into a structured, evidence-based value chain development platform that enhances SME competitiveness, access to finance, and integration into regional and global markets.
Applications should be submitted through this link
Key Responsibilities
The successful candidate will:
- Design a value chain selection and prioritization framework for the Bank.
- Conduct diagnostics and develop blueprints for up to eight priority value chains.
- Identify SME financing opportunities, including supply chain finance, guarantees, blended finance, and risk-sharing mechanisms.
- Support project teams in embedding value chain development components into new and ongoing operations.
- Produce guidance notes, tools, and templates to institutionalize best practices across the Bank.
- Engage governments, industry associations, financial institutions, SMEs, and development partners to strengthen stakeholder collaboration.
Applications should be submitted through this link
Deliverables
Expected outputs include:
- An inception report within two weeks of contract commencement.
- A value chain prioritization framework during the first month.
- Diagnostic reports and blueprints for selected value chains.
- An expert mobilization plan.
- Stakeholder consultation summaries.
- A final consolidated report and presentation outlining recommendations and implementation pathways.
Applications should be submitted through this link
Qualifications
Applicants must possess:
- A Master’s degree in Economics, Business Administration, Agribusiness, Supply Chain Management, Value Chain Development, Finance, or a related field.
- A minimum of five years of relevant professional experience in value chain analysis, SME development, private sector development, investment advisory, or related fields.
- Demonstrated expertise in value chain mapping, market analysis, SME financing, and policy assessment.
- Strong knowledge of African SME ecosystems, financial markets, and development finance.
- Excellent analytical, research, stakeholder engagement, and report-writing skills.
- Proficiency in English and/or French, with knowledge of both languages considered an advantage.
- Ability to work independently and within multidisciplinary, multicultural teams.
- Familiarity with digital tools for data collection and analysis.
The consultant will be based in Abidjan, with flexibility for remote work at agreed times.
How to Apply
Applications should be submitted through this link
Applications close on June 9, 2026.
SEO Assets
SEO Title: AfDB Opens Applications for Senior SME Value Chain Consultant Role
Meta Description: The African Development Bank is recruiting a Senior SME Value Chain Consultant to support SME development and value chain programmes across Africa. Applications close June 9, 2026.
SEO Keywords: AfDB jobs, African Development Bank consultant, SME value chain consultant, Link Africa Programme, AfDB careers, development finance jobs, SME financing Africa, value chain development, Abidjan jobs, African Development Bank recruitment
Slug: afdb-senior-sme-value-chain-consultant-job-2026
Social Media Caption: The African Development Bank is hiring a Senior SME Value Chain Consultant to support SME-focused value chain programmes across Africa. The role offers an opportunity to shape financing and market access solutions for SMEs in key sectors. Applications close June 9, 2026. #AfDB #Jobs #Consulting #SMEs #AfricaDevelopment
