Senior Specialist, Market Systems Development (MSD)
TechnoServe
- Cotonou, Littoral
- CDI
- Temps-plein
- Identify and prioritize systemic issues/constraints and promote value-added activities through stakeholder consultations. The focus will be on barriers to access to skills, finance, market and information, full participation and benefits for target groups with regard to market systems and economic opportunities.
- Contribute to the analysis of market systems for access to skills, market access, access to skills and financing and access to information, in the Beninese entrepreneurial ecosystem. This involves designing and implementing interventions, carrying out ongoing sector analyses and providing input, data and information for the design of new intervention activities.
- Continuously strengthen and coach the Ecosystem Support component team to improve each member's MSD technical skills, and lead them to be self-sufficient MSD experts.
- Contribute to the ongoing update of the mapping of players in the entrepreneurship support ecosystem.
- Identify and develop sustainable operationalizable strategic interventions with ecosystem partners: by way of illustration structuring interventions aimed at integrating entrepreneurship programs into public schools in Benin, or helping financial services companies develop new inclusive services or products for the benefit of their customers.
- Organize discussions and working sessions with stakeholders to identify (business) needs and develop solutions.
- Represent the project at networking meetings with private and public stakeholders.
- Manage workflows within program interventions - ensure activities are completed successfully.
- Support the technical management of external consultants and subcontractors.
- With the help of the Communication Manager and the Monitoring & Evaluation Manager, monitor and evaluate the progress of sectoral activities.
- Facilitate the capacity development of local players, agribusinesses, financial institutions, marketing associations, local authorities and other market players by providing development support services targeting technical, managerial, business and advocacy capacities.
- Evaluate, refine and adapt existing (and new) program models, to enable increased scale-up and effectiveness, developing business cases and providing support to other local actors and project partners, as appropriate, to ensure replication.
- Contribute to the development and regular updating of project strategies to strengthen support for all project interventions, drawing on local data and knowledge.
- In collaboration with partners, facilitate innovation and pilot projects that promote inclusive business models (e.g., establish/strengthen smallholder supply networks and improve distribution efficiency to increase access for marginalized populations, etc.).
- Support the development and implementation of a range of projects that will help to increase access for marginalized populations.
- Support the development and implementation of pilot projects that promote inclusive business models (e.g., establish/strengthen smallholder supply networks and improve distribution efficiency to increase access for marginalized populations, etc.).
- Develop a pipeline of potential partners and propose partnerships and identify opportunities to build capacity and reduce risk for key market players, including BDS, POs, input supply companies, financial institutions and food processors, among others, by supporting the development of business cases.
- Actively participate in and contribute to partnership monitoring, evaluation and learning activities, reviewing and analyzing model/pilot and partnership performance to identify successes, challenges and lessons learned.
- Bachelor's degree in entrepreneurship, management, economics, business, marketing or equivalent.
- At least 5 years' experience in implementing the M4P/MSD (Making Markets Work for the Poor/ Market Systems Development) methodology. (Or 3+ years of experience with a Master’s Degree).
- Good understanding of market systems and their role in poverty reduction from a systemic perspective; experience in conducting market analysis in order to make business or investment decisions.
- Demonstrated work experience in the private sector in the fields of studies or consulting, partnership management with a focus on development programs.
- Proven understanding, skills and experience in market systems development programs and facilitative approaches.
- Experience in facilitating links and relationships between the private sector and government.
- Experience in developing well-written reports and presentations.
- French Fluency required. English language skills preferred.
- Experience in implementing private sector or micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) development assistance programs would be considered an asset, but not required
- Experience in Benin or Francophone West African countries
- Good knowledge of local languages highly desirable
- Attention to detail, strong project and team management, organizational, analytical and quantification skills.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, particularly in multicultural and multi-ethnic contexts, ability to build relationships with multiple stakeholders.
- Strong team spirit and ability to build consensus.
- Commitment to advancing gender equality.
- Demonstrated understanding of - and commitment to overcoming - the barriers that disadvantage vulnerable people, women and young people and exclude them from economic opportunities.