We are looking for a dynamic and passionate leader to make significant impact in the vibrant livestock sector of Bangladesh. ACDI/VOCA is an international organization with a global team committed to building a culture where all employees are valued, respected and opinions count. We take pride in providing a workplace that fosters continuous professional development, flexible working and opportunities to grow within an inclusive and diverse environment.

We have an exciting and rarely advertised opportunity for MSD Team Lead.

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 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.

Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the very heart of everything that ACDI/VOCA stands for.

We foster an organizational culture that embraces our commitment to racial justice, gender equality, women rights and inclusion. We want ACDI/VOCA to reflect the diversity of the communities we work with, offering equal opportunities to everyone regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. ACDI/VOCA is based on a culture of inclusivity and we strive to create a workplace environment that ensures every team, in every office, in every country, is rich in diverse people, thoughts, and ideas.

Overview:

Not only we are financially sound and growing, but we have unicorn status: we are currently implementing the $20.5 million, five-year Feed the Future Livestock and Nutrition Activity in Bangladesh funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Job Title:

Market System Development Lead

Location:

Dhaka, Bangladesh

Project name:

Feed the Future Bangladesh Livestock and Nutrition Activity

Reports to:

Chief of Party

Number of Position:

01 (One)

Here, you will have the challenging opportunity to lead a team and implement project’s private sector engagement strategy, working closely with private sector partners to co-create solutions and leverage their resources, technologies, and expertise to achieve our desired results. You will also play a key role in strengthening livestock input and output market systems, promoting learning and collaboration across the program. With a can-do attitude, strong negotiation skills, and a willingness to engage effectively with a diverse range of stakeholders, you will apply creative skills and conceptual problem-solving abilities to the table.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Market Systems Development Lead will be responsible for providing thought on leadership and managerial oversight for economic development and private sector engagement (PSE) activities related to increasing 1) livestock productivity; 2) marketability of livestock products, and 3) household consumption of safe and diversified livestock products. This includes but not limited to identifying and building the capacity of SME’s and lead firms, coordinating and linking SMEs and other market actors to increase their competitiveness, and creating incentives for leveraging towards inclusive financing for livestock activities. Empowering women and youth as well their access to ICT tools and services are critical area of work with the private sectors. S/he will work closely with project staff, government, civil society, private sector counterparts, and beneficiaries to successfully implement activities and achieve desired results. The MSD Lead will facilitate and design technical assistance program to benefit rural livestock households, entrepreneurs, Government of Bangladesh (GoB) and other relevant stakeholders by co-creating solutions with public and private sector actors, leveraging their resources, technologies and expertise. Moreover, S/he will collaborate closely with technical leads and the team to overseeing the evidence-based knowledge capture and sharing process on broader livestock ecosystems in order to foster a collaborative learning environment and efficiently and effectively scale impacts through promoting successful business models and market linkages.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• The Market System Development Team Lead (MSD TL) will oversee livestock market systems strategy development, manage private sector partnership portfolios (private sector actors, market system actors, and other development partners) and facilitation activities, and manage sub awardees.
• Provide market systems technical leadership and management oversight to PSE projects and other implementing partners, stakeholders, and private sector actors.
• Work closely with the COP and DCOP to ensure respective project Annual Work Plans (AWP) are developed and executed on schedule along with budget aligned to the AWP
• Design technical scopes of work for technical consultant assignments, volunteer assignments, review and validate reports and assessments and inform the Activity interventions based on them.
• Provide strategic market systems support to other direct and cross cutting IRs such as livestock productivity, Nutrition, ICT, Youth, women empowerment and climate change.
• Identify innovative opportunities with private sector actors, market system actors in the livestock sector as well as other institutions and co-create mutually beneficial solutionse.g. with them, leveraging their resources, technologies and expertise, in order to achieve the Activity’s objectives and goals.
• Maintain positive working relationships with networks of market actors, especially those linked to livestock market system actors and the Department of Livestock Services (DLS)
• Conduct regular field visits to observe, support, discuss and share learnings as needed
• Coordinate closely with the MEL unit to ensure adequate project monitoring, documentation and reporting and provide strategic support on CLA to the Activity MEL and communications teams
• Determine capacity building needs for Activity staff and implementing partners. Orient Activity staff to the overall project strategy in coordination with other senior management staff to ensure all field staff are adequately trained to implement activities.

QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s and master’s degree in agribusiness, economics, business administration or related area
• 5 years of experience leading market systems or value chain focused development programs or portfolios, primarily in facilitating and co-creating market-based solutions with public and private actors
• Experience in the livestock market system will be an added advantage.
• Prior experience with USAID or other donor funded projects is preferred, with an understanding of the procedures, policies and reporting requirements.
• Proven experience in multi-stakeholder engagement through consultations, bringing together diverse players around shared issues, constraints and assessments.
• Demonstrated supervisory experience with teams and professional groups in a cross-cultural environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with multiple stakeholders, including government officials, private sector actors, financial institutions, project staff, and/or donor agencies.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Strong analytical skills, including ability to gather and analyze a variety of information and develop appropriate recommendations for action.
• Ability to negotiate, advise and resolve issues that are highly complex and sensitive in nature.
• Ability to communicate effectively with persons on all levels both inside and outside the organization.
• Strong written communication skills, including demonstrated ability to write required documents in a clear, concise, well-organized manner in both English and Bangla
• Awareness, sensitivity, and understanding of cross-cultural issues particularly in representing a US-based organization.
• Ability to work in partnership with local communities, Government and private livestock companies and institutions, market system actors and financial institutions as appropriate
• 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.

Our Accountability:
For ACDI/VOCA, accountability means fulfilling our responsibility to listen and respond to the opinions and needs of our stakeholders in the decisions we make and the activities we undertake, with the aim of increasing our impact and ensuring the responsible use of resources.

Our Offer:
Our culture is the most important thing we offer. We continuously aim to provide a high-growth space where you can do your best work and, in the process, unlock your boundless potential. We work hard to provide meaningful rewards and development opportunities for our employees, recognizing performance and creating a supportive working environment. You’ll also get:

• Best-in-class compensation plans
• Annual festival bonuses
• Reward and recognition programs
• Paid Maternity & Paternity Leave
• Adequate vacation days and flexible working hours in a hybrid environment
• Medical & life insurance for employees and dependents
• Volunteering and opportunities to give back.
• Yearly regional and global team-building events
• Chance to work with our incredible global team all over the world.
• Catered lunch in office
• An agile performance review process that encourages ongoing transparency between managers and direct reports
• Enablement program and soft skill training to support internal career growth and development.
• An annual performance-based increment.