Market System Development Officer Full Time NEW

Our Profile

People in Need is a non-governmental, non-profit organization founded on the ideals of humanity, freedom, equality and solidarity.

People in Need was established in 1992 by a group of Czech war correspondents, journalists and activists and has grown to become one of the largest non-profit organization in Central and Eastern Europe.

Throughout our 30 years of existence, People in Need continues to engage in humanitarian aid, development cooperation, education and social inclusion.

We have been operating in Ethiopia since 2003, working in five regions Oromia, South Ethiopia, Central Ethiopia, Amhara and Tigray in different multi sectoral projects in the areas of development and emergency response.

People in Need, from the very start of its operations in Ethiopia, has focused on projects in five main areas of interest: Education, Agriculture, Climate and Environment, Water and Social protection.

We are part of Alliance 2015, (https://www.alliance2015.org/ a strategic network of seven European non-governmental organizations engaged in humanitarian aid and development projects. This collaboration increases effectiveness, both in working in the target countries and in campaigns change to advocacy aimed at influencing the attitudes and policies of politicians and general public opinion and awareness in Europe.

More information at https://www.peopleinneed.net/ or HERE.

PIN currently is seeking energetic, disciplined, responsible Market System Development Officer for RDD- Empower project.

Length of Contract: definite (until November 2027), based on performance, renewed annually.

Place of Work: – Based in Yabelo, Oromiya region, with frequent travel to PIN’s project sites in different regions as required.

Salary: 340 USD

Required: 1 (One)

1.About the EMPOWER Project

The EMPOWER Project is a European Commission-funded initiative designed to enhance economic self-reliance, sustainable livelihoods, and climate-resilient market integration for vulnerable populations—specifically targeting youth and women—within the Borena and West Guji Zones. Operating in a highly dynamic pastoral and agro-pastoral context, the project applies a Market Systems Development (MSD) approach to stimulate localized market growth, strengthen private-sector relationships, enhance the capacity of MSMEs/SMEs, and generate inclusive employment.

2. Purpose of the Position

The field-based MSD Officer plays a critical operational role in translating high-level strategic and technical guidance from the Addis-based Economic Programming and Private Business Partnerships Advisor into practical, field-level actions. Based in Yabelo, the officer will maintain daily, hands-on engagement with local market actors, SMEs, VSLAs, SACCOs, and financial institutions. The primary goal is to drive field implementation during critical phases of SME rollout, market access facilitation, private sector engagement, employability skills development, and entrepreneurship promotion.

3. Key Responsibilities and Duties

A. Market Systems Analysis & Livelihoods Facilitation

• Market Mapping & Assessment: Interpret the market analysis conducted in to action, conduct market mapping, and value chain development assessments to uncover viable economic opportunities for SMEs and Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs)/later support the upgrading into Saving and Credit Cooperative.
• Intervention Execution: Operationalize the MSD framework by shifting field practices away from direct delivery toward market facilitation, ensuring local market actors own and sustain value-chain improvements.
• Targeted Inclusion: Structure field activities to actively integrate vulnerable women and youth within the targeted Woredas into expanding economic markets.

B. Private Sector Engagement & Market Linkages

• Commercial Brokerage: Proactively identify, engage, and manage partnerships with critical private sector actors, including suppliers, buyers, and commercial off-takers. (already identified and new ones)
• Linkage Development: Build robust market linkages and provide commercialization support to bridge the gap between rural primary producers, processing enterprises, and end markets.
• Business Formations: Facilitate collaborative formal agreements and risk-sharing business models that incentivize commercial entities to expand trade into remote Woredas.

C. Enterprise Capacity Building & Financial Inclusion

• Business Coaching: Provide continuous, hands-on business coaching, business planning assistance, and routine performance monitoring for emerging SMEs and youth cooperatives.
• Financial Literacy: Deliver targeted financial literacy support to strengthen the internal management, record-keeping, and accounting practices of VSLAs, SACCOs, and small enterprises.
• Access to Finance: Address systemic bottlenecks in accessing capital by actively coordinating with local financial institutions, simplifying communication, and managing rigorous loan follow-up processes.

D. Team Coordination & Quality Assurance

• Workload Management: Absorb field-level technical and coordination workloads to optimize operational efficiency, directly supporting the broader project team.
• Timeline Oversight: Manage day-to-day project milestones rigorously to protect implementation quality and ensure field operations strictly adhere to donor timelines.
• Strategic Alignment: Ensure field-level operational feedback is communicated systematically to the Addis-based Advisor to adjust strategic programming as market dynamics shift.

E. Stakeholder Relations & Reporting

• Local Representation: Represent the EMPOWER project at local multi-stakeholder forums, market coordination platforms, and Woreda-level technical working groups.
• Reporting: Compile and submit high-quality field verification data, market brief updates, and weekly/monthly technical progress reports to the Project Manager.

4. Safeguarding and PSEA Commitment

Because this position involves direct contact with children and vulnerable groups, the job holder is strictly required to adhere to People in Need’s Code of Conduct and Safeguarding Framework. The officer must ensure safety, dignity, and do-no-harm principles are structurally embedded into all market and community-based interventions.

Benefit

• Standard work schedule of 40 hours per week from Monday to Friday
• Per diems for working and Accommodation outside of the duty office depending on the location
• Transport Allowance
• Bank loan facilities
• 20 days of paid annual and after 5 years of work an extra paid day for every year
• Extra days of paid leaves for selected holidays
• Medical insurance, including spouse and children
• Accident insurance for all injuries during work time based on the law
• Pension contribution of 11 % from PIN
• Paternity leave of extra 2 paid days above the mandatory 3 days
• Maternity leave according to the law and extra financial motherhood support
• Monthly mobile phone hybrid tariff
• PIN supports fast career growth and internal mobility
• International environment with opportunities to learn from other PIN’s country programs
• Extensive Capacity Building program, both internal and external trainings, including the Induction training
• Internal online learning opportunities, such as access to PIN’s e-learning platform and webinars
• Annual staff retreat
• Friendly and fair work environment with small collective where everyone knows each other

Academic Background

• Degree Attainment: BA/BSc degree from an accredited institution, MA/MSc desirable.
• Fields of Study: Rural Development, Business Administration, Developmental Economics, Economics, Market Systems Development, Partnership Development, or a closely related discipline.

Professional Experience

• INGO Track Record: A minimum of 3 to 5 years of progressive experience working within International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs).
• Technical Expertise: Direct experience executing Market Systems Development (MSD) and resilient livelihoods frameworks, specifically during active phases of SME rollout and market linkage facilitation.
• Donor Exposure: Proven experience operating under European Commission (EC) / European Union (EU) funded project regulations and reporting structures.
• Stakeholder Management: Practical history of managing complex partnerships across Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) centers, MSMEs, local government lines, and private businesses.

Core Competencies & Skills

• Strong capacity to translate high-level technical strategies into clear field activities.
• Demonstrated capability in financial institution coordination, loan tracking, and SME business incubation.
• Clear understanding of the unique socio-economic barriers facing women and youth in pastoral environments, preferably within the Borena and West Guji Zones.
• Excellent relationship-building, coaching, negotiation, and entrepreneurial problem-solving skills.