Market Systems Director, Mozambique At ACDI/VOCA

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.

Market Systems Director, Mozambique

ACDI/VOCA is seeking a Market Systems Director for a USAID funded program in Mozambique. The program will combine agriculture, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), and Nutrition funding to address programmatic gaps and approaches in building the resilience of vulnerable households and communities in selected districts of Zambezia and Nampula provinces. It will achieve this objective through inclusive approaches to increase productivity of farm and food systems, foster diversification of household income, layer, sequence and integrate food security, sustainable water, and positive nutrition interventions.

The Market Systems Director will provide leadership and direction to the market system team to design and implement sector-driven interventions that increase the competitiveness of market actors and foster farmers inclusive access to higher value markets, inputs, and services, and expand inclusive business models, integrating gender, nutrition, and other cross-cutting issues. The position is based in Maputo, Mozambique.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership in identifying inclusive market development opportunities, understanding evolving market trends, conducting targeted research on new/potential market channels, business models, or partnerships that increase household resiliency.
• 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 analyses of system performance and dynamics, identify the root causes of shocks and stressors in the resilience zone, and develop strategies to drive improved performance.
• Identify market-based solutions and incentives to integrate male and female small-scale producers into their supply chains and commercial distribution networks.
• Co-design and spearhead a Collaborating, Learning and Adapting approach into technical areas, across project teams, and among external partners.
• Assist in identifying land building the capacity of local service providers to provide technical assistance to program beneficiaries in developing strategic business plans to integrate farmers into their supply chains, market identification and development, agricultural supply chain management, and accessing capital.
• Working through local service providers, train farmers and producer groups to better understand and analyze their markets.
• Maintain and develop strong partnerships with cooperatives, partners, collaborators, rural finance institutions, and other associated stakeholders.
• Contribute to the development of a culture of learning and adaptive programming that encourages the flow of information and reflection to maximize performance and continuous improvement.
• 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.
• Collaborate with the M&E Manager to develop monitoring and evaluation tools, indicators and learning questions on market systems programming outcomes.
• Continually develop and review “impact logics” to demonstrate how interventions will contribute to household resiliency.
• Support internal and external collaboration and learning to improve and adapt program design.
• Contribute to project deliverables such as quarterly and annual reports and annual work plans, as directed by the Deputy Chief of Party and/or Chief of Party.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in agronomy, agricultural economics, business management or relevant field
• Minimum six years of experience in market studies, economic growth, trade, value chain development, competitiveness, and agricultural development programs
• Demonstrated experience in implementing programs aimed at 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
• Proven ability to identify, design, and manage public and private sector partnerships
• Strong analytical skills, including ability to gather and analyze a variety of information pertaining to issues and to develop appropriate recommendations for action.
• Experience working in Mozambique preferred
• Fluency in English is required, Portuguese strongly desired

Mozambique nationals are strongly encouraged to apply.