About the Project

The RLP is a 12-year initiative funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and implemented by consortium members including IGAD, Helvetas/Welthungerhilfe, and Mercy Corps. The program aims to bring about transformative change in the pastoral and agro-pastoral areas of the Horn of Africa by creating a more productive, climate-resilient, inclusive, and competitive livestock sector. It primarily focuses on the four cross-border live animal trade corridors (Borena, Tog Wajaale, Galkaayo, and Afmadow), as well as the camel milk trade corridor (Wajir-Garissa-Nairobi) in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia.

During its first phase (2023 - 2026), the program will establish a foundation for future phases by building relationships, gathering evidence, and laying the groundwork for geographical scaling and expansion in Phase II & III. The overarching objective of Phase I is to improve the livelihoods of pastoral and agro-pastoral communities within the target trade corridors, with a specific emphasis on increasing production and productivity for agro-pastoralist and pastoralist households. This includes empowering peri-urban and rural women engaged in the livestock sector and youth while enhancing domestic markets and trade. Helvetas is leading this program in the Addis Ababa – Moyale corridor in collaboration with Welt Hunger Hilfe, Action for Development and Ethiopian Institute of Peace. 

ABOUT THE JOB 

1. Purpose of the Job 

The Market Systems Development (MSD) Officer is responsible for facilitating interventions and activities under the Regional Livestock Program (RLP) Moyale Corridor, focusing on Long-term Outcome 2: Livestock market actors have efficient and profitable engagement with domestic and international markets, especially women and youth.

The MSD Officer will work closely with a diverse range of actors and stakeholders, including government entities, private sector participants, and program beneficiaries, with a particular emphasis on the live animal marketing value chain.

The project employs a market-systems, community-led approach to stimulate economic growth, create wealth, and generate jobs for the poorest, while maximizing investment from both private and public sectors. The MSD Officer will bring technical expertise in marketing, employment, input/output markets, and financial services, covering key sectors such as livestock, livestock products, financial services, enterprise development, and related areas.

1. Duties and Responsibilities of MSD Officer

• Provide technical support for MSD activities, ensuring timely implementation and quality deliverables.

• Coordinate market systems assessments, validation workshops, and stakeholder events with government sectors.

• Facilitate capacity building for market actors on MSD approaches, identifying opportunities/constraints, and supporting small and medium enterprises.

• Develop short-term strategies and linkages between market actors to improve outreach.

• Manage the co-investment fund and private sector interventions to catalyze investment.

• Design guidelines for investment fund management based on RLP investment manual.

• Develop plans to enhance investment in livestock industries.

• Ensure the investment fund supports key sectors without crowding out financial markets.

• Organize platforms to disseminate RLP Investment Fund opportunities.

• Develop tracking systems for documentation management.

• Led private sector engagement and due diligence on companies.

• Conduct field visits to assess progress, provide technical advice, and feedback.

• Work with the RLP project manager and M&E officer on monitoring tools and reporting.

• Ensure proper documentation and updates for the RLP Project.

• Built relationships with government partners and local implementers.

• Represent HELVETAS professionally to maintain its mission.

• Compile and submit regular activity reports.

• Take additional duties as assigned by the project manager and program director.

• Report directly to the RLP project manager.

1. Collaboration

• Collaborate with RLP partners for quality project implementation.

• Plan and execute capacity development for partners in topics related to Market system Development

• Take part in the annual learning & planning events with the partners and share the experience from Moyale Corridor 

• Adapt project activities to changing contexts with input from partners and stakeholders.

•  Implement and report project activities as per the plan and monitor conflicts of interest within the project context.

• Contribute to the monitoring, evaluation, learning, communication, reporting and documentation of project activities.

Job Requirements

Academic Qualification 

• A minimum of bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics, Rural Development, Agribusiness, Marketing, Value chain Development and other related fields of study from a recognized university. 

• Master’s degree or post-graduate certificate in relevant fields is advantageous. 

Work Experience 

• Minimum of 7 years’ experience in the private sector and/or NGOs, focusing on MSD approaches (facilitation and technical support), agribusiness, and/or financial services.

• Strong understanding of the Markets Working for the Poor (M4P) approach and market development facilitation, including coaching, relationship building, communication, entrepreneurial/business acumen, and innovation in the livestock sector.

• Experience supporting private sector-led business enterprises in pastoral/agro-pastoral settings, providing business development support to industries (public and private), institutions, and stakeholders.

• Experience working with Small, Micro, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) related to livestock marketing.

• Knowledge of participatory analysis, action, and results processing in livestock and livestock product value chains, such as live animal marketing, small-scale fattening practices, and dairy value chains.

• Experience and familiarity with the Borana and East Borana Zone regions, including knowledge of the local language.

• Knowledge of Livestock Emergency Guidelines and Standards, market system development, and other training in humanitarian response is preferred.

• Experience facilitating market linkages, such as connecting livestock producers with large traders, abattoirs, exporters, and various institutions.

Competencies and Other Requirements   

• Shares and promotes HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation’s value system and development goals

• Excellent interpersonal, intercultural, and communication skills

• Strong conceptual, analytical, and reporting abilities

• Effective motivator, facilitator, and coach

• Proficient in results-based and risk management

• Adaptable, flexible, and capable of working under difficult conditions.

How To Apply

Interested and qualified candidates are encouraged to apply by sending their application and updated CV through HumanResources.ETH@helvetas.org

Female applicants are highly encouraged to apply.

Please make sure you write the position title and the duty station you are applying for in the subject line.