Market Facilitator

World Vision International – Vietnam (WVV) invites Vietnamese competent candidates for the following position:

03 Market Facilitator of the Ethnic Minority Economic Empowerment project (EMEE project)
Work base: Huong Hoa ADP, Huong Hoa district, Quang Tri province

Interested candidates are invited to apply ONLINE via WORLD VISION VIETNAM'S WEBSITE by 15 MAY 2015 - http://careers.wvi.org/jobs/vietnam/field-operations/wvv-market-facilita...

See How to apply for further information.

INTRODUCTION

“Ethnic Minority Economic Empowerment” Project (EMEE Project) is a new project supported by WVV in Huong Hoa district of Quang Tri province. Ethnic minorities in Huong Hoa, Quang Tri province, Vietnam suffer from poverty and lack of economic opportunities due to limited crop diversification, poor market access, and low financial literacy. This project aims to improve the economic well-being of 1,200 poor ethnic minority households over a five year period (2015-2020). It is expected that the annual income of target households will be increased by 20% through supporting 50 Producer Groups (PGs) in six communes to implement Accumulating Savings and Credit Associations (ASCA), Local Value Chain Development (LVCD), and receive training on sustainable farming techniques.  The Inclusive Business (IB) approach will strengthen private sector business relationships to create demand for market-matched local products.

WVV is responsible for managing the implementation of this project, in partnership with SNV (the Netherlands Development Organisation), who leads on the Inclusive Business aspect of the project. Being implemented within the location of Huong Hoa Area Development Program (ADP) – a 10 to 15 year community development program, the project aims to towards adoption and expansion of the selected models introduced by the project by the ADP and local government to maintain food security and increase incomes sustainably for target households.  Promising approaches and practices will be documented, shared and applied not only in the province but also throughout the country where possible, with a focus on improving price, efficiency and sale volumes of Producer Group products, as well as improving linkages with markets that offer long-term sustainable prospects for poor ethnic communities.

PURPOSE OF POSITION

To assist and facilitate producers and producers groups within the project target communes to increase their income by assisting producers to interact and meet buyers’ requirements and gain access to more lucrative and sustainable markets.  Key duties will include working with producers to understand the opportunities for local production and marketing, conducting participatory value chain analysis, identifying key market players, opportunities and constraints, formulating innovative and practical production-based and/or market-based solutions , generating real market orders and coaching/mentoring of producers in producer groups.

In particular, WVV is recruiting 3 Market Facilitators for 3 Outputs as follows:

• Market Facilitator 1, mainly in charge of output 1: “Producer groups established, trained and supported on improved sustainable production, processing, and savings”, still he/she will support other Market Facilitators, Project Manager, Project Coordinator, Project DME, etc.
• Market Facilitator 2, mainly in charge of output 2: “Producer Groups have mapped, analysed and linked their products to market demand”, still he/she will support other Market Facilitators, Project Manager, Project Coordinator, Project DME, etc.
• Market Facilitator 3, mainly in charge of output 3: “Local market network established and functional”, still he/she will support other Market Facilitators, Project Manager, Project Coordinator, Project DME, etc.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

I/ Project Planning & Capacity Building:

A. Situation analysis of local producers and market opportunities

• Organise necessary meetings with various stakeholders in the local economy to identify products, quality and quantity of the outputs from local producers
• Identify key market players, value chains directions/inputs, outputs and entry points
• Identify market opportunities and constraints
• Work with Producers, Producer Groups, project teams and key partners to prioritize products for value chain analysis and interventions
• Document and report market assessment findings

B. Formation of Producer Groups and conduct training to build capacity

• Work with producers to form functional producer groups in the project area.
• Train producer groups in key skill sets, e.g. Group management, financial literacy, Basic market skills, Innovation, Natural resource management, and other production-related skills.
• Ongoing training of producers in selected technical areas

C. Participatory value chain analysis with producers

• Based on market assessment, develop a series of innovative hypotheticals that would improve producers access to markets and/or income
• Conduct participatory value chain analysis with producers and research teams to test viability of proposed hypothetical scenarios.
• Document and report potential viable hypothesis, with supporting evidence.
• Communicate findings and ideas to producers and other stakeholders.

D. Coaching and Mentoring

• Provide ongoing mentoring and coaching to producers and producer groups to build local capacity for understanding and connecting with markets

II/ Project Implementation & Management:

A. Planning and implementing interventions, including linking PGs with suppliers of inputs and buyers of outputs

• Facilitate producers in developing and implementing intervention plans following the participatory value chain analysis
• Facilitate Value Chain Stakeholder Network with local economic stakeholders to plan and implement chain-wide interventions
• Work with Producer Groups to facilitate the direct contact, placement and supply of orders between buyers and producers.

B. Seek orders from potential buyers

• Travel to potential markets and identify actual potential for definite orders.
• Understand buyers demand, in terms of quantity, quality, packaging, logistical and timing requirements.
• Gain tentative agreements to supply
• Research potential challenges to meeting buyers requirements and identify practical solutions

III/ Project Monitoring & Evaluation:

• Actively collaborate with Project team in project planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting processes of all project activities, especially key DME events (Baseline, Mid-term and Evaluation)  under the support and coaching of the ADP Manager;
• Implement participatory monitoring and evaluation tools and measurements of project effectiveness to track the delivery of project results
• Facilitate / Support producer groups and local partners to conduct regular reflections with the communities to review the progress, results and areas for improvements;
• Mobilize / Facilitate producer groups and local partners to actively participate in DME events for sharing and learning;
• Project resources are ensured to be used in an efficient way and followed WVV financial guidelines.
• Document good lessons learnt during the project implementation; actively participate as a project team member in all areas, including sharing good lessons learnt feedback, reflection and learning.
• Conduct other tasks as assigned by the supervisor and support other members in the project team.

JOB REQUIREMENT

The following knowledge, skills and abilities may be acquired through a combination of formal schooling, self-education, prior experience, or on the job training:

• University degree in Agronomy, Agro-Economics, Development Studies, Marketing, Economics, Commerce, Business Administration, or related field/s
• Understanding of the local culture and conditions in the area
• Strong understanding of business principles, commercial market operations and systems
• Strong understanding of local economic development and ability to diagnose and assess local economies
• Familiar with the principles and practice of the value chain analysis and development as well as  the effects  on poor producers
• Knowledge of primary production and agriculture
• Understanding of market development projects and methods.
• Knowledge in research, from design to implementation.
• A basic command of the English language
• Strong computer literacy skills including MS Office; e-mail and internet.
• Good facilitation and training skills on agriculture production, processing, and post-harvest handling; including strong presentation and communication skills to farmer households, farmer groups, mass organizations, local government bodies, and training and research institutions (for MF in charge of output 1)
• Good facilitation and training skills on market analysis and marketing; including strong presentation and communication skills to farmer groups, businesses and business associations, government bodies, training and research institutions (for MF in charge of output 2)
• Good facilitation and training skills on networking, relationship management, and advocacy; including strong presentation and communication skills to farmer groups, businesses and business associations, government bodies, training and research institutions (for MF in charge of output 3).
• For the MF in charge of output 1 “Producer groups established, trained and supported on improved sustainable production, processing, and savings”:
• Demonstrated experience in working with farmer households, farmer groups, mass organizations supporting farmer and farmer groups, local government bodies, extension service provider, technology transfer firm, development projects/programmes and NGOs/INGOs.
• For the MF in charge of output 2 “Producer Groups have mapped, analysed and linked their products to market demand”:
• Demonstrated experience in working with farmer groups, mass organizations supporting farmer and farmer groups, local government bodies, businesses and business associations, business development service providers, development projects/programmes and NGOs/INGOs.
• For the MF in charge of output 3 “Local market network established and functional”:
• Demonstrated experience in working with farmer groups, businesses and business associations, local government bodies, business development service providers, development projects/programmes and NGOs/INGOs.
• Demonstrated experience in market   assessment, market analysis, market research, community development or closely related role.
• Report writing experience.
• Demonstrated experience in M&E of market development project/initiatives.
• Experience in simple data analysis.

World Vision Vietnam is a Christian non-government organization. Applicants having working experience in a similar kind of organization will be an advantage.

Our contact details are:

People and Culture Department
World Vision International - Vietnam
Address: 4th floor, 48 Tran Phu street, Da Nang City
Tel: 0511. 3828459 (ext.18)

We give equal opportunity to every candidate, regardless of religion, race and gender.

A competitive salary, benefits and career development opportunity will be offered and commensurate with the experience, qualifications and responsibilities.

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization which works to improve the quality of life of people, especially children, who are marginalized and living in poverty regardless of religion, race and gender.