National Focal Point - Gaborone

Expertise France is launching a call for applications for the position of National Focal Points (NFPs) to be based in the potential countries of implementation of the SWITCH-2-CE in ESA Programme:
Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and South Africa.
The NFPs will support the implementation and success of the SWITCH-2-CE in ESA Project across the following thematic areas:

Key Responsibilities
1. Stakeholder Engagement and Coordination

• Map and maintain relationships with key national stakeholders, including:
  • Relevant line ministries (Environment, Industry, Trade, Finance, SME Development) and RECs
  • National development agencies, investment promotion authorities, and environmental agencies
  • Financial institutions (banks, microfinance institutions, development banks)
  • MSMEs active in circular economy (CE), particularly within the two project value chains
  • Business associations, CE advocacy groups, and civil society organizations
• Support project engagement with stakeholders and facilitate implementation efforts.

2. Enabling Circular Economy (CE) Policy Frameworks

• Act as first point of contact in-country regarding Outcome 1
• Support the Policy Support Facility by:
  • Coordinating support to beneficiaries
  • Raising awareness about the facility
• Support the implementation of national CE policy dialogues
• Contribute to knowledge production and dissemination activities related to CE

3. Matching Grant Facility (MGF)

• Act as first point of contact in-country regarding the MGF
• Assist in identifying and pre-screening:
  • Third-party organizations managing grants
  • Business Development Service (BDS) providers offering CE expertise
• Facilitate outreach to:
  • Local financial institutions
  • Eligible MSMEs that may benefit from the MGF
• Provide local insights on:
  • Financial ecosystem dynamics
  • MSME challenges
  • Enabling environment
• Monitor in-country CE developments and report opportunities and risks.

4. Monitoring and Learning

• Produce periodic reports on project activities and CE progress in-country
• Contribute to monitoring activities and M&E data collection for project indicators and reporting.

5. General Support

• Provide general country support
• Identify local experts
• Support administrative processes as needed.

Project Overview
Expertise France and GIZ are jointly implementing the SWITCH-2-CE in ESA Programme, funded by the European Union.
Overall Objective
To foster an inclusive transition to circular economy in Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA), contributing to climate change mitigation by promoting green and circular business models and strengthening policy and regulatory frameworks.
Implementation Countries (provisional list)
Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.(The list may be adjusted following the inception phase.)

Programme Structure
The programme is structured around three main outcomes and focuses on two priority value chains:
Priority Value Chains

• Packaging / Plastics Waste
• Electronics / E-Waste

Outcome 1: Enabling Policy Frameworks

• Improve access to CE best practices for policymakers
• Support integration of CE principles into policy frameworks
• Strengthen public sector capacity, including Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes

Outcome 2: Inclusive Participation in CE

• Integrate CE topics into Higher Education and TVET
• Provide inclusive CE training to women, youth, and informal workers
• Improve firms’ access to CE knowledge and best practices

Outcome 3: Access to Finance

• Improve access to financial services for CE start-ups and SMEs
• Support youth- and women-led businesses
• Strengthen incubation and advisory support (business planning, financial readiness, technology development)

Matching Grant Facility (MGF)
The MGF will be implemented through third-party organizations responsible for co-selecting and disbursing grants to eligible businesses operating in the two targeted value chains.
Structure:Expertise France → Third-party Organizations → Final Beneficiaries (MSMEs & Start-ups)

Definitions
E-Waste:Discarded electrical and electronic equipment powered by plug or battery (e.g., smartphones, laptops, televisions, refrigerators, small appliances).
Plastic Packaging:Plastic materials used to contain, protect, handle, or deliver products (e.g., bottles, containers, wrappers, films, single-use plastics such as bags, straws, takeaway packaging).