Project Officer Market Development (re-announcement); MSDSP

BACKGROUND

The Public Organization ‘Mountain Societies Development Support Programme (MSDSP)’, a project of the Aga Khan Foundation Tajikistan (AKF) is active in the Republic of Tajikistan since 1993. Currently the programme operates in four regions of Tajikistan – GBAO, Khatlon, Districts of Republican Subordination (Rasht Valley) and Sughd. MSDSP works in close cooperation with local Government and other donor and development partners to contribute to improvement of quality of life in rural Tajikistan by fostering: i) effective participatory governance through institutional development of community-based organisations, ii) sustainable agricultural production and climate resilience, iii) improved and expanded public and private services for socio-economic development.

PROJECT OVERVIEW

The premise of the pilot project with the overall goal of fostering sustainable peace, security and prosperity through improved dialogue between state and citizens and youth socio-economic inclusion in five target districts of Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast (GBAO) of Tajikistan is based on the following four key pillars: (i) action research on the key drivers of instability; (ii) capacity strengthening of and equipping state actors and youth with both evidence and tools for effective engagement and collaborative approach to conflict and violence prevention and resolution; (iii) creating employment opportunities and liveable wage jobs for youth (men and women between ages 18 to 35); and (iv) documentation and dissemination of learnings with key development stakeholders in Tajikistan.

OVERALL OBJECTIVES

In the frame of implementation of the mentioned project, MSDSP is looking for a strong and high-qualified candidate for the position of Market Development Officer in GBAO. The incumbent will work in integration with multi-agency team and directly report to the Regional Programme Manager. The Market Development Officer lead the planning, implementation, and tracking of all income generating activities of the project, the outputs and results of the interventions and thus ensures that implementation is on time and within budget. These activities will support beneficiaries in the project targeted areas to increase the productivity of key agriculture value chains, adding value and improving the quality of the final products, support establishment of marked-based systems that allow local produces to access quality agriculture inputs, extension, market and other support services.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Work planning 30%

to provide expertise and technical assistance to the entire project in planning and implementation of interventions related to conducting sub-sector analyses,
Identify the steps and period of the implementation of income generating activities according to the approved project budget and work plan, and contribute to the developing of the Detailed Implementation plan (DIP);
oversee the implementation of the identified value chain interventions and skills development events, including Youth Entrepreneurship and Employability Skills (YES) Program and Hakaton.

Partnerships, Network, Communication and Learning 60%

Lead identifying /selection sub-sectors and value chains with potential partners for income and employment generation opportunities in the project area;
to identify and contract qualified service provider(s) to prepare a full technical design for establishment of a minimum of two Small Green Industrial Enterprises (SGEIs) in two prioritized value chains
Based on the VCA and market research findings, design and implement appropriate market-based project interventions benefiting (SGEIs) and smallholders.
Oversee the efforts of the agribusiness related activities in the project, particularly focusing on the value chain development, including increase the productivity of the selected products;
Identify training needs of SGEIs, smallholder and other value chain actors, further development and delivery of training programmes/Facilitating digital literacy in prioritized value chain;
Facilitate market driven linkages between producers, wholesalers, processors and markets in the prioritized value chains;
Facilitate the process of capacitating marginalized youth by helping students develop their own business model, encompassing concepts such as a value proposition, customer segmentation, sales channels, cost structure and revenues.
Promote start-up businesses, building a pipeline of entrepreneurs, and promote a culture of entrepreneurship through implementation of Youth Entrepreneurship and Employability Skills (YES) model;
Develop a methodology and facilitate the selection of the most successful youth graduates of the YES programme and Hakathon for provision of seed grants
Facilitate the provision of supports with seeds funds to the selected graduates of the YES programme and Hakathon based on their needs and developed business plan;
Meet and liaise with relevant stakeholders, local partners, governmental institutions, private sector and other stakeholders of the prioritized value chain, to ensure synergies are created and resources are leveraged;
Provide overall strategy, vision and inputs on the agribusiness sector development within the project based on the annual work plan;

Safeguarding/Gender 10%

Ensure gender equality is mainstreamed into monitoring and evaluation reports.
Ensure the safeguarding requirements are met in the process of project implementation and monitored accordingly.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Degree in Business Administration or Economics, agribusiness, agricultural economics or other related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum five years of professional work experience in market development programming, experience of working with or within the private sector and with micro and small enterprises in emerging economies.
Applied technical skills (agriculture and non-agriculture value chain development, market assessment, practical knowledge of regional businesses, including agribusiness firm);
A strong record in designing, managing and/or evaluating private sector or market development projects.
Experience in supporting youth business startup, relevant experience in community or other youth mobilization with focus on promoting entrepreneurship and enterprise development;
Experience of demonstrated experience managing or supporting implementation of development projects;
Excellent MS Office knowledge;
Knowledge in business plan development;
Proficiency in Tajik, Russian, and English is desirable.

Technical Skills:

Applied technical skills (market assessment and value chain analyses, developing and accessing business plans);
Good knowledge of local legislation related to business and private sector;
Proficiency in MS Office application;
Proficiency in English, Tajik/Russian languages.

Personal Skills:

Innovative and analytical thinking; interpersonal skills, good verbal and written communication skills, team player.

APPLICATION PROCESS

A cover letter (2 pages maximum) and resume (2 pages maximum) clearly demonstrating how applicants meet essential qualifications and asset criteria should be submitted to: MSDSP Human Resources Department at msdsp.recruitment@akdn.org with “Market Development Officer” in the subject line by no later than January 6, 2023. Only full packages will be considered.

MSDSP strongly encourages qualified female applicants for this position. MSDSP seeks to ensure that male and female employees are given equal career opportunities and that staff members are able to keep an appropriate balance between work and private life.

For more information on the Aga Khan Foundation and Aga Khan Development Network visit: http://www.akdn.org 

MSDSP Tajikistan recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to equal opportunity, safeguarding of children from abuse and zero tolerance of sexual harassment.

DISCLAIME

By sharing their cover letter and resume with MSDSP in response to this job application, applicants consent for MSDSP to keep this information on file for recruitment and human resources management purposes