Short-Term Expert Pools for Tax and Customs Expertise

Context Ethiopia is in the process of transitioning from a state-controlled economic model to a more liberal, market-oriented system. Through this shift, the country is aiming to promote private sector-led growth, create jobs, and drive economic transformation. Initial progress has been made, including the stabilization of the exchange rate regime and improved access to foreign currency. However, Ethiopian companies continue to face challenges such as bureaucratic obstacles, limited access to finance, and increasing global competition. At the same time, internal conflicts and global crises lead to rising costs, disrupted supply chains, and constrained economic growth. Objective Ethiopia"s private sector is more competitive and resilient as a result of the transition towards a market-oriented economy. Approach Starting with the private sector, the project applies a bottom-up approach that addresses key challenges faced by enterprises and links them with systemic reform efforts. To this end, the project is focusing on: 1. Enterprise Development: The project is supporting larger, growth-oriented companies and innovative start-ups by helping them to optimise processes, enhance the quality of their products or services, and improve their access to markets and finance. This advances economic transformation across the country. 2. Business environment: The project is improving the regulatory environment within the tax and customs administrations, as well as at the National Bank of Ethiopia. This simplifies reforms and procedures and helps to create a business-friendly environment. 3. Strengthening resilience: The project is supporting, especially women-led micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in (post-)conflict regions by providing coaching and training, and by improving their creditworthiness. In doing so, it stabilises the business foundations of these companies, enhances their resilience and secures jobs. The lead executing agency for the project is Ethiopian Ministry of Industry (MoI). Other key partners include the Ethiopian Ministry of Revenue (MoR), Ethiopian Ministry of Finance (MoF), Accounting and Auditing Board of Ethiopia (AABE), Ethiopian Customs Commission (ECC), National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE). In addition to state institutions, the project collaborates with private sector stakeholders and subnational governments. The ultimate beneficiaries of the project are the businesses and citizens of Ethiopia who will benefit from a more effective, efficient, transparent, accountable, and business-friendly taxation and customs environment. Description of services to be provided for EU publication Technical assistance (including short-term expert pool) for Private Sector Development in Ethiopia This tender concerns the provision and management of expert services to support the implementation of the Private Sector Development in Ethiopia (PSD-E) programme implemented by GIZ. The PSD-E programme aims to strengthen the competitiveness and resilience of Ethiopia"s private sector in the transition towards a market-friendly economy. The programme is commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), co-financed by the European Union (EU) and the Netherlands" Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, and implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. It works with key public institutions, private sector stakeholders and sub-national actors to address structural constraints to enterprise growth and economic transformation. Services will be delivered through a national long-term expert and a pool of national and international short-term experts. They will provide technical and administrative support to the EU-cofinanced output "Modernise and Harmonise Ethiopia"s Tax Administration and Customs Management Systems for Private Sector Growth." - Specific Objective 1: Enhance transparent, proactive and accountable domestic tax administration systems in Ethiopia with better understanding and service to private sector operators in critical value chains. - Specific Objective 2: Enhance cross-border trade facilitation through optimized electronic customs management and valuation systems and efficient customs services that leverage digital means. The contractor will support project implementation across six output areas: 1. Modernisation of domestic tax audit systems - Support the introduction of digital tools, advanced analytics and risk-based methodologies (including AI-supported and computer-assisted audit techniques). - Deliver capacity development for tax officials (training, mentoring, peer learning, coaching). - Support tax administration reforms through assessments, alignment with TADAT priorities, and facilitation of international cooperation. 2. Harmonisation of domestic tax administration - Strengthen tax regulatory frameworks and promote harmonisation between federal and regional tax authorities. - Support tax reform agendas, including monitoring tools and alignment with international tax standards (e.g. BEPS, Pillar 1 and 2). - Support digital transformation of tax administration and improvements in service delivery, including roll-out of Integrated Company Creation Journey (ICCJ). 3. Strengthening tax dispute resolution - Improve procedures, coordination mechanisms and legal frameworks at federal and regional level. - Support the preparation of digital dispute management tools (e.g. case management, tracking, early dispute prevention mechanisms such as rulings and APAs). - Strengthen institutional capacity and taxpayer awareness through training and outreach. 4. Upgrading customs management and valuation systems - Support the preparation and introduction of digital customs tools such as the Electronic Customs Valuation System (e-ECVS), Electronic Single Window (e-SW) and trade portals. - Strengthen coordination and preconditions for interoperability and data exchange among customs and other trade regulatory bodies, including the once-only principle. - Provide technical assistance through process mapping, legal and procedural reviews, training and peer exchanges. 5. Strengthening human capacity in customs administration - Design and implement a national customs capacity development programme, including training needs assessments and standardised training modules. - Deliver training-of-trainers, nationwide training programmes and e-learning modules on selected customs procedures. - Facilitate structured dialogue and targeted training for traders, customs brokers and logistics operators. 6. Improving external trade statistics and market intelligence - Harmonise regulatory frameworks and upgrade procedures for trade data collection, management and analysis in line with international standards. - Strengthen institutional capacities through training, development of standard operating procedures and professionalisation of trade data management. - Support improved access to trade data and development of analytical tools and market intelligence services for key value chains. Cross-cutting activities - Support programme communication activities. Tasks of the pool manager - Manage two short-term expert pools (administration, finance, budgeting, reporting, monitoring and quality assurance). - Organise conferences, workshops, events and training activities. All outputs (e.g. reports, studies, analyses, strategies and training materials) must be delivered in English. Trainings conducted in the regions may require local languages.