Scope of Work

USAID Sustainable Food Entrepreneurship

Market Systems and Private Sector Engagement (PSE) Specialist

Antananarivo / Fort Dauphin, Madagascar (TBD)

1.    Background

DAI seeks a Market Systems and Private Sector Engagement (PSE) Specialist for an upcoming USAID-funded opportunity in Madagascar entitled Sustainable Food Entrepreneurship. This new activity will focus within the Feed the Future Zone of Influence (ZOI), specifically within the ZOI in Anosy, Androy, and Toliara, and will layer with other donors and USAID projects, particularly Harena, USDA Food for Progress, Harena, Riake, and Rano WASH. The activity will have two components:

1.     Increasing sustainable production of diverse and nutritious foods: addressing the low productivity and vulnerability of local food crops, livestock, and fisheries, increasing food security and strengthening value chains by focusing on a diversified, climate-sensitive approach; and

2.    Strengthening resilient market systems: strengthening the private sector and entrepreneurship to create opportunities and build resilience of Madagascar’s food systems, and encouraging, facilitating, and mobilizing private sector investment and financial services to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

2.    Position Purpose

The Market Systems and Private Sector Engagement (PSE) Specialist will be responsible for supporting the design and implementation of technical activities under the proposed Component 2, relating to strengthening the private sector and entrepreneurship to create economic opportunities, and cross-cutting application of market systems principles for all programming, and building resilience across Madagascar’s food systems. S/he will identify, develop, and support private-sector led initiatives working to encourage private sector investment in supply chain management and value addition, provide support to local entrepreneurs, especially women and youth, and facilitate investments to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). S/he will support vocational and entrepreneurial training, as well as mobilization of financial services to agricultural producers and MSMEs. The Market Systems and PSE Specialist will report to the Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP).

3.    KEy Duties & Responsibilities

·       Provide strategic and technical cross-cutting market systems development and private sector engagement guidance and mentorship for the project and for Component 2.

·       Develop, implement, monitor and evaluate market systems development and private sector engagement activities under Component 2.

·       Provide direct supervision and leadership (motivation and mentorship) for assigned personnel (including direct reports and technical experts).

·       Support the Chief of Party (COP), DCOP and senior field technical staff in developing, reviewing and adapting technical vision and intervention plans for transformational changes in the agricultural market systems.

·       Support in the development or review of Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) indicators or activities, as they relate to market systems development and private sector engagement activities under Component 2.

·       Oversee and ensure timely completion of technical deliverables (including monthly, quarterly, annual reports) and assigned sections of annual work plans.

·       Identify and support strategies for agricultural businesses to maximize revenues that involve the private sector.

·       Develop and implement activities that enable the business community to increase investments to MSMEs.

·       Leads and/or conducts periodic updates to market systems/private sector analyses where needed; evaluates the business case and potential of business models and technologies to improve impact.

·       Identifies, builds, and manages collaborative partnerships with local partners, private sector actors, agribusinesses and business associations, government entities, and other stakeholders.

·       Build and manage relationships with national and local-level businesses and related associations, and coordinate with partners and private sector programs operating at the national and local levels.

·       Defines and coordinates research to capture lessons learned and best practices from projects and ensures their documentation and dissemination to inform Activity intervention design, implementation, and industry best practices.

·       Other tasks as assigned.

4.    minimum Qualifications

·       Bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics, business, or a related field required; Advanced degree preferred.

·       At least 7 years of experience with successful market systems and/or private sector engagement programming for international development projects.

·       Demonstrated experience working on / implementing local level grant/partnership programs.

·       Experience working on donor-funded international development projects; USAID experience preferred.

·       Demonstrated experience in creating and maintaining effective working relationships that foster collaborative learning.

·       Demonstrated understanding of the private sector landscape and/or agricultural market systems in Madagascar and related challenges and opportunities.

·       Proven ability to work closely with external stakeholders, including providing support to local partners.

·       Professional-level oral and written fluency in English and French required; professional-level in Malagasy also highly preferred.

Equal Employment Opportunity

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or status as a protected veteran.

DAI and its employees are committed to confronting discrimination in all forms, nurturing respect for our interpersonal relationships, and holding ourselves accountable for positive change within the company and in the communities, cultures, and countries in which we live and work.  DAI is committed to attracting and retaining the best employees from all races, ethnicities, and backgrounds in our continued effort to become a better development partner.

DAI upholds the highest ethical standards. We are committed to the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment as well as other ethical breaches. All our positions are therefore subject to stringent vetting and reference checks.

DAI Organization and Values

DAI is a global development company with corporate offices in the United States, the United Kingdom, EU, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Palestine and project operations worldwide. We tackle fundamental social and economic development problems caused by inefficient markets, ineffective governance, and instability. DAI works on the frontlines of global development. Transforming ideas into action—action into impact. We are committed to shaping a more livable world.

DAI and its employees are committed to confronting racism and holding ourselves accountable for positive change within the company and in the communities, cultures, and countries in which we live and work. DAI is committed to attracting and retaining the best employees from all races and backgrounds in our continued effort to become a better development partner. DAI upholds the highest ethical standards. We are committed to the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment as well as other ethical breaches. All of our positions are therefore subject to stringent vetting and reference checks.

DAI is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer with a commitment to diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.