Since 1963 and in 146 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 delivers technical and management assistance in agribusiness, financial services, enterprise development, community development and food security in order to promote broad-based economic growth and vibrant civil society.

OVERVIEW:

ACDI/VOCA is an international development organization dedicated to promoting economic prosperity, fostering food security, and supporting social inclusion through market-driven, locally focused solutions. This organization collaborates with diverse partners to empower people to succeed in the global economy. Their efforts focus on increasing incomes, improving livelihoods, and creating opportunities for traditionally excluded groups. ACDI/VOCA's work spans various countries and communities, making a tangible impact on lives and societies.

The Bangladesh Climate Smart Livestock (BCSL) project, funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and implemented by ACDI/VOCA, is a five-year initiative spanning from October 2023 to September 2028. It aims to enhance the resilience and productivity of Bangladesh's livestock sector amidst climatic adversities.

The project adopts a climate-smart market systems development approach to improve access to knowledge, services, and markets for small-holder farmers. It emphasizes the adoption of cost-effective climate-smart agriculture technologies and practices, targeting improvements in farm productivity, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and supporting government climate goals. This initiative builds on ACDI/VOCA's extensive experience and strong relationships within Bangladesh's livestock sector.

Pursuant to its mission, ACDI/VOCA is seeking experienced and talented professionals for the Market Systems Development Lead position.

Job Title: Market Systems Development Lead
Location: Dhaka, Bangladesh
Project name: Bangladesh Climate Smart Livestock project
Reports to: Chief of Party
Number of Position: 01 (One)

The Market System Development Lead is a pivotal senior-level position with a strong background in enhancing the resilience and efficiency of climate-smart livestock market systems for the BCSL project with partners and relevant stakeholders. Tasked with crafting and implementing comprehensive strategies for livestock market systems, this role aims to enhance the competitiveness, inclusiveness, and overall impact of livestock businesses and value chains in the project area.

Key responsibilities include improving access to inputs, markets, and finance for livestock, streamlining the processing and commercialization of livestock products, and acting as the focal point of contact for both public and private sector entities. This role demands a proactive and dynamic leader capable of fostering strategic partnerships, providing technical assistance, and delivering specialized support to rural livestock entrepreneurs, the government of Bangladesh, and other vital contributors within the livestock sector.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Development and Analysis: Engage in the creation and evaluation of informational materials, technical documents, and guidelines that underpin agricultural economics, livestock business, and value chain enhancements. This includes focusing on agro-industrial strategies, sector analysis, market and policy evaluation, and fostering environments conducive to business growth and institutional development. Emphasize inclusive business models, entrepreneurship, contract farming, and the integration of digital technologies for livestock value chain efficiency, market connectivity, and financial solutions.

Employee Management: Lead and manage a team of professionals working on market systems development, providing guidance, support, and mentorship. Responsible for performance evaluations, career development, and ensuring the overall success of the team in achieving project objectives.

Market Systems Diagnostics: Support comprehensive market system analyses to identify and prioritize the most influential actors and critical issues within the livestock sector, aiming to guide targeted interventions for maximum impact.
Stakeholder Engagement: Cultivate and maintain strategic relationships with government officials, particularly those associated with the Department of Livestock Services (DLS), and key market participants to foster collaborative opportunities and enhance the livestock market ecosystem.

Private Sector Collaboration: Lead efforts to coordinate with crucial private sector entities, market system actors, and development partners to implement and scale impact-driven initiatives across the livestock value chain.

Industry Incentivization: Develop innovative systems to encourage significant meat and dairy enterprises to engage more effectively with local farmers, enhancing investment in and procurement of farm products.

Support to SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises) and Rural Entrepreneurship Development: Advocate for and assist in the development of SMEs and entrepreneurs through initiatives aimed at diversifying products, improving marketing efforts, and ensuring compliance with food safety standards.

Financial Inclusion: Work closely with financial service providers and commercial banks to promote the decentralized digital banking system through operating agent banking outlets to broaden and enhance digital financial products and services tailored to the needs of smallholders, processors, and producer groups. Focus on risk mitigation offerings like livestock insurance and provide technical assistance that includes financial literacy training and agricultural lending from bank/microfinance institutes to make digital financial solutions more accessible and inclusive, particularly for smallholder women farmers.

Program Leadership: Spearheaded all aspects of program management and operational support, ensuring seamless collaboration with other leadership teams. This includes setting strategic directions, overseeing implementation, and ensuring program objectives align with broader organizational goals.

Field Operations: Execute and oversee regular field visits to monitor progress, offer support, engage in critical discussions, and document relevant findings to inform strategy and program adjustments as necessary.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Educational Background and Experience:

  • Master’s degree in agronomy, animal science, agribusiness, business administration or related area.
  • Minimum 10 years of experience working in a leadership and supervisory role in the market systems or value chain focused development programs and working with public and private actors to facilitate market-based and sustainable services.
  • Experience in meat and/or dairy value chain projects is preferred.
  • Prior experience with donor funded projects, with an understanding of the procedures, policies and reporting requirements preferred.
  •  Experience with the US government and/or another international donor funded project is preferred.
  • Demonstrated expertise in leveraging advanced negotiation skills to establish and manage strategic partnerships with private sector entities, focusing on the joint development, testing, and scaling of innovative business models and digital financial solutions for smallholder livestock farmers with a focus on women farmers.
  • Demonstrated supervisory experience with teams and professional groups in a cross-cultural environment. 
  • Demonstrated results working with market system actors.

Required Skills and Competencies:

  • Strong analytical skills, including ability to gather and analyze a variety of information pertaining to issues and to develop appropriate recommendations for action.
  • Ability to negotiate, advise, and resolve issues that are highly complex and sensitive in nature. 
  • Ability to work in partnership with local communities, government and private livestock institutions, market system actors and NGOs as appropriate.
  • Ability to communicate effectively with persons on all levels both inside and outside the organization
  • Awareness, sensitivity, and understanding of cross-cultural issues particularly in representing a US-based organization
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written.
  • Fluency in Bangla and English, including the ability to write coherent and analytical reports in English.
  • Fluency with computer-based Microsoft packages (Excel, Word, and PowerPoint).
  • Ability to work effectively in an atmosphere of multiple projects, shifting priorities, and under deadline pressure.
  • Proven ability to successfully manage a team of diverse individuals. Strong mentoring and team-building skills. Team player and able to work independently.
  • Ability to travel within and outside Bangladesh as needed

TO APPLY:

Please submit a resume and cover letter to BangladeshLAN@joinav.org no later than March 03, 2024.
Please include the position title in the subject line.

Due to the high volume of applications, we are not able to respond to inquiries via phone. Only those candidates considered for an interview will be contacted. ACDI/VOCA is an equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities and people from diverse groups are encouraged to apply.