DCOP/Director of Market Systems, Timor-Leste

Overview

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.

 

DCOP/Director of Market Systems, Timor-Leste

 ACDI/VOCA is seeking a Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP)/Director of Market Systems for an anticipated agriculture program in Timor-Leste funded by USAID.

The DCOP/Director of Market Systems will support the Chief of Party in developing the strategic direction and in providing technical advice across all program components in the planning, designing and implementation of activities. S/he will work closely with partners and their technical teams to ensure integration across organizations and objectives. The DCOP/Director of Market Systems will oversee field-level program activities and ensure program targets are met. The program is anticipated to start in late 2021 and this position is envisioned to be based in Dili, Timor-Leste.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and direction to the market system team to design and implement sector-driven interventions that strengthen agricultural market systems, foster inclusive access to higher value markets, inputs, and services, and expand inclusive business models, integrating gender, nutrition, and other cross-cutting issues.  
• 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 market systems analyses to analyze system performance and dynamics, identify the root causes of poor performance, and develop strategies to drive improved performance. 
• Lead sector engagement to identify market-based solutions and incentives to integrate male and female small-scale producers into efficient market systems.  
• Motivate market system teams to assess end markets and develop a deep understanding of constraints for market actors, female and male, along selected value chains.  
• Champion and integrate a Collaborating, Learning and Adapting approach into technical area, across project teams, and among external partners. 
• Provide technical assistance to program beneficiaries in market identification and development, agricultural value chain development, agricultural supply chain management, private sector development, business development, and promotion of investments.
• 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.
• Provide technical assistance to agricultural product development via viable market orientation, taking into account the marketing issues related to the transition to high-value products. 
• Maintain and develop strong partnerships with cooperatives, partners, collaborators, rural finance institutions, and other associated stakeholders. 
• Train farmers and producer groups to better understand and analyze their markets. 
• Collaborate with the M&E Manager to develop monitoring and evaluation tools, indicators and learning questions on market systems programming outcomes.
• Ensure the reporting on results, changes, revenue generation and profitability of marketed volumes.
• As required by COP, represent project in meetings with donor, government and other stakeholders, serve as interim acting COP.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in agronomy, agricultural economics, business management or relevant field
• Minimum 8 years of experience in market studies, economic growth, value chain development, competitiveness, and agricultural development programs
• Demonstrated successful experience in implementing programs aimed at market development and 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 
• Effective record of building relationships with governmental organizations, academic institutions as well as private sector and community organizations
• Experience working in Timor-Leste and/or an island nation preferred
• Fluency in Portuguese preferred, English required

Timor-Leste nationals are strongly encouraged to apply.

Please apply directly online at www.acdivoca.org/international-jobs. The applications will be reviewed promptly upon receipt, only finalists will be contacted. ACDI/VOCA is an equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities and people from diverse groups are encouraged to apply. ACDI/VOCA will never request payment or charge a fee to apply for any position.

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