DCOP/Director of Market Systems

May 28, 2021June 28, 2021DiliEast Timor

ACDI/VOCA About

ACDI/VOCA is an economic development organization that fosters broad-based economic growth, raises living standards, and creates vibrant communities. Based in Washington, D.C., ACDI/VOCA has worked in 148 countries since 1963. Its expertise is in catalyzing investment, climate smart agriculture, empowerment & resilience, institutional strengthening, and market systems.

Job Description

Since 1963 and in 148 countries, ACDI/VOCA has empowered people in developing and transitional nations to succeed in the global economy. Based in Washington, D.C., ACDI/VOCA is a nonprofit international development organization that designs and delivers technical and management solutions in agriculture, economic growth, and resilience to promote economic prosperity and social inclusion.

DCOP/Director of Market Systems, Timor-Leste ACDI/VOCA is seeking a Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP)/Director of Market Systems for an anticipated agriculture program in Timor-Leste funded by USAID. The DCOP/Director of Market Systems will support the Chief of Party in developing the strategic direction and in providing technical advice across all program components in the planning, designing and implementation of activities. S/he will work closely with partners and their technical teams to ensure integration across organizations and objectives. The DCOP/Director of Market Systems will oversee field-level program activities and ensure program targets are met. The program is anticipated to start in late 2021 and this position is envisioned to be based in Dili, Timor-Leste.

Responsibilities

Provide leadership and direction to the market system team to design and implement sector-driven interventions that strengthen agricultural market systems, foster inclusive access to higher value markets, inputs, and services, and expand inclusive business models, integrating gender, nutrition, and other cross-cutting issues.
Ensure the design and implementation of a seamlessly integrated and inclusive market systems development strategy.
Provide leadership in identifying inclusive market development constraints and opportunities, understanding evolving market trends, conducting targeted research on new/potential market channels, business models, or partnerships.
Lead market systems analyses to analyze system performance and dynamics, identify the root causes of poor performance, and develop strategies to drive improved performance.
Lead sector engagement to identify market-based solutions and incentives to integrate male and female small-scale producers into efficient market systems.
Motivate market system teams to assess end markets and develop a deep understanding of constraints for market actors, female and male, along selected value chains.
Champion and integrate a Collaborating, Learning and Adapting approach into technical area, across project teams, and among external partners.
Provide technical assistance to program beneficiaries in market identification and development, agricultural value chain development, agricultural supply chain management, private sector development, business development, and promotion of investments.
Design, develop, and implement strategies and project work plans to improve crop productivity, strengthen market linkages, expand access to markets, support the development of diversified livelihoods opportunities, and strengthen input, service, and capacity building networks for crops and diversified livelihoods activities.
Provide technical assistance to agricultural product development via viable market orientation, taking into account the marketing issues related to the transition to high-value products.
Maintain and develop strong partnerships with cooperatives, partners, collaborators, rural finance institutions, and other associated stakeholders.
Train farmers and producer groups to better understand and analyze their markets.
Collaborate with the M&E Manager to develop monitoring and evaluation tools, indicators and learning questions on market systems programming outcomes.
Ensure the reporting on results, changes, revenue generation and profitability of marketed volumes.
As required by COP, represent project in meetings with donor, government and other stakeholders, serve as interim acting COP.

Qualifications

Advanced degree in agronomy, agricultural economics, business management or relevant field
Minimum 8 years of experience in market studies, economic growth, value chain development, competitiveness, and agricultural development programs
Demonstrated successful experience in implementing programs aimed at market development and increasing the competitiveness and inclusiveness of value chains, including agricultural value chains
Knowledge of the latest developments in advancing good/best practices in value chain development and USAID’s value chain approach is required
Effective record of building relationships with governmental organizations, academic institutions as well as private sector and community organizations
Experience working in Timor-Leste and/or an island nation preferred
Fluency in Portuguese preferred, English required

Timor-Leste nationals are strongly encouraged to apply.

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