Market Systems Development Advisor (2 Positions)

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Project background

The Livelihoods Improvement for Women and Youth (LIWAY) is a thirteen-year program running from July 2017 to December 2028, funded by Sweden and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The program is implemented by a consortium of partners, which includes SNV Netherlands Development Organisation and Mercy Corps.

LIWAY utilises a market system development (MSD) approach, focusing on identifying the root causes of market failures that disadvantage or exclude poor women and youth from both wage and self-employment opportunities. The initiative seeks to identify private companies and public institutions that have the incentive and capability to facilitate change.

The aim is to enhance the market systems to better serve the target groups while demonstrating the benefits to public and private actors involved in these systems. This ensures local ownership, sustainability, and continued improvement beyond the program’s duration. The approach emphasises experimentation, learning rapidly from failures, and amplifying successes.

Summary of the position

The Market Systems Development (MSD) Advisor is part of the LIWAY program at SNV Ethiopia, focusing on the Agri-Food sector. Specifically, this role supports the Livelihoods Improvement for Women and Youth (LIWAY) programme.

The MSD Advisor will play a crucial role in the LIWAY program by developing and implementing strategic market interventions aimed at improving urban livelihoods. This position requires strong technical expertise in MSD and a focus on collaboration with key stakeholders to enhance the performance of market systems for target groups.

We are therefore, seeking a highly skilled and experienced Market System Development ( MSD) Advisor to join our team in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The successful candidate will be part of the LIWAY program at SNV Ethiopia, focusing on the Agri-Food sector.

 

Intervention Development:

• Assess markets to identify market gaps and develop detailed concept notes for strategic interventions in close collaboration with identified implementing partners.
• Develop systemic business models that respond to the market challenges faced by LIWAY target groups.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Assess and onboard key stakeholders, including implementing partners, to foster collaboration for intervention implementation.
• Identify and select relevant market systems for LIWAY target groups and conduct detailed analyses to identify root causes affecting market performance.

Implementation Facilitation:

• Prepare and finalize implementation agreements (sub-grant agreements) with selected partners and facilitate the signing process.
• Provide all required technical support during the implementation of agreed interventions to ensure alignment with project goals.

Technical Support and Advisory Services:

• Act as a technical expert following the MSD approach, providing ongoing technical assistance to implementing partners.
• Ensure that women and youth are meaningfully integrated into interventions and that their constraints are identified and addressed.
• Ensure all facilitations related to the market system are in line with the Market Systems Development approach.

Monitoring and Reporting:

• Monitor the progress of interventions and report on outcomes to ensure effective tracking and learning.
• Document lessons learned and case studies to facilitate knowledge sharing among stakeholders.

Knowledge Development

• Contributes to internal and external knowledge development.
• Ensures lessons learned are shared and applied in daily practice and may be appointed as (national) focal point of an expertise network.
• Initiates/coordinates the review process and evaluation of advisory services to collect lessons learned, proposes corrective measures and ensures identification of follow up assignments.
• Participates in knowledge development/expertise groups and in internal and external networks.

Project and process development

Identifies and proposes technical process improvements to the project team. Acts on improvement areas within the local internal organisation and processes and gives feedback. Ensures lessons learned are applied in daily practice.

People Management

Steers (functionally) colleagues and coaches associated partners/ external stakeholders on quality within the context of assignments. Acts as a technical expert in the content area, applies process improvements in projects and coaches colleagues and associated partners both professionally as operationally on quality of context within projects.

• Master’s Degree or equivalent in relevant fields such as International Development, Economics, Business, or related disciplines.
• A minimum of Five years of experience in market systems development or related fields, with a focus on urban livelihoods.
• Strong understanding of the Market Systems Development (MSD).
• Proven ability to analyze market systems and identify root causes affecting performance.
• Full professional proficiency in spoken and written English, with strong report writing skills.
• Capacity to work in a dynamic environment and adapt to changing circumstances.
• Proficient in relevant computer applications and technologies.
• Familiarity with the Ethiopian context and its market systems is an advantage.

Competencies

• Problem analysis
• communication
• Coaching
• Focus on quality
• Result orientation
• Persuasiveness
• Perseverance

Contract Type: National, Full-time

Expected start date: As soon as possible

Duty Station: Addis Ababa

Contract Duration: One year with the possibility of extension based on performance and budget availability.

 

How to Apply

If you believe that your credentials meet the outlined profile, we invite you to apply by uploading your CV and a letter of motivation before/on August 19, 2025.

 Please submit your application only via:>>> Smart Recruiters. All information will be kept in the strictest confidentiality.

If your experience and skills match the position’s requirements, we will contact you to advise on the next steps in the recruitment process.

Working at SNV  

SNV offers a challenging work environment, opportunities to lead and innovate, and a commitment to growing your skills in a fulfilling and diverse working environment. Our staff benefit from and contribute to an internal and global network of experts.

At SNV, inclusivity is at the heart of our ethos. We celebrate the diversity of our workforce and uphold a policy of non-discrimination based on factors such as disability status, religion, ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, and more.

Vetting

SNV carries out rigorous background and reference checks concerning possible safeguarding incidents for all candidates applying for both nationally and internationally determined positions. As SNV participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme, all reference checks include a request to past employers to fill in a questionnaire regarding Misconduct (sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment), the “Statement of Conduct“. This Statement of Conduct adopts the definitions used in the Scheme.

SNV is an equal opportunities employer and female candidates are encouraged to apply.