SODEFIKA III Project Team Leader – Market Systems Development Specialist (80-100%) At Caritas Switzerland

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SODEFIKA III Project Team Leader – Market Systems Development Specialist (80-100%)

Established in Chad since 1973, Caritas Switzerland has developed a strategy based on three main themes: income, climate and migration. The work of Caritas Switzerland is based on a systemic and multi-actor approach, promoting the creation of strong synergies between humanitarian, development, government actors, local authorities and the private sector. Caritas Switzerland currently employs 70 people based in N’Djamena and has two branches in Goré and Ati. It is currently implementing five major long-term projects across Chad.

Caritas Switzerland is recruiting a team leader for an anticipated project worth 8 million Swiss francs, in anticipation of the continuation of phase II of the SODEFIKA project (Support for the development of the peanut, shea and sesame sectors in Chad). This project is financially supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). The team leader will have as main responsibilities the development of the strategy, the financial and administrative management of the project, as well as the supervision of the team and its many activities. Caritas Switzerland is looking for a Team Leader with first-hand technical experience in implementing the Market Systems Development (MSD) approach and access to finance,

Your tasks

• Ensure results-oriented project management, including technical, financial and administrative management, implementation, coordination and communication of a multi-stakeholder project, while skillfully applying good project cycle management practices.
• Implement the project using the Market Systems Development (MSD) approach for the selected value chains: groundnuts, sesame and shea butter.
• Engage with the donor and partners to establish effective and harmonious working relationships.
• Coordinate the project team and its broad portfolio of activities, including sub-contractors and strategic partners, and ensure the implementation and development of capacity building activities among key personnel.
• Strategically lead and adaptively manage the project, maintaining close dialogue with the Country Director of Caritas Switzerland in Chad, Caritas Switzerland Headquarters and SDC.
• Facilitate multi-stakeholder dialogues in fragile contexts and integrate cross-cutting approaches such as GPSC.
• Ensure high quality of project deliverables, including proposing innovative solutions that ensure high impact for beneficiaries and ensure sustainability.
• Actively promote synergies and harmonize activities with other relevant projects in Chad.
• Support participatory planning and public-private dialogue.
• Perform project travel as required.

Our requirements

• Relevant higher education and professional training in the field of economics, financial inclusion, development studies, political science or similar fields.
• At least 8 years of professional experience related to the project, in particular in the implementation of the market systems development (MSD) approach in fragile contexts, preferably in agricultural value chains, the private sector engagement, rural SME development and access to finance for business development.
• Work experience in sub-Saharan Africa and in the three selected value chains (groundnut, sesame and shea butter) is considered an advantage, as is similar work experience in fragile contexts.
• Solid experience in the areas of food security, sustainable livelihoods, climate change adaptation, conflict sensitivity and gender issues.
• Experience in team management on development projects of comparable size and scope. These experiences and skills should include strong managerial skills, results-based management, strategic planning, human resources coordination, financial management skills, ability to lead and coach, ability to anticipate problems and identify forward-looking solutions, strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills.
• Experience in the implementation of projects funded by bilateral or multilateral donors, in particular the SDC, including knowledge of project compliance conditions, processes and procedures, is considered an asset.
• Experience in supporting and building the capacity of local actors such as government organizations and civil society.
• Demonstration of a systems approach and/or adaptive management through current and/or past work.
• Strong coordination, presentation, negotiation and donor engagement skills, as well as the ability to communicate clearly and effectively in French (both oral and written).
• Flexibility and willingness to make regular field visits.
• Excellent command of French, a good knowledge of English is a major asset.

The place of work is Chad.
Entry into office: November 1, 2023 (subject to the commitment of the lessor) or to be agreed

Caritas offers attractive employment conditions and an open working climate in an international context.

To find out more about the position, contact Mishiki Mamboleo, Country Director Chad (mmamboleo@caritas.ch) or Silvan Büchler, Program Director Chad (sbuechler@caritas.ch).

Caritas Suisse, Adligenswilerstrasse 15, 6002 Lucerne
www.caritas.ch