Market Systems Development Adviser Panel

Market Systems Development Adviser Panel

ABOUT US

With more than 35 years of experience, Cowater International is Canada’s global leader in management consulting services specialising in international development. We have managed the implementation of over 2500 projects in more than 95 countries around the globe for clients such as FCDO UK, DFAT Australia, the European Union, the World Bank and Global Affairs Canada. We work with governments, partner organisations, communities and civil society to design and implement sustainable solutions that generate lasting social, economic and environmental impacts. Our adaptive approach to management has led to our award-winning work and recognition as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies from 2017 to 2021.

BACKGROUND

Cowater International is seeking to establish a panel of Market Systems Development (MSD) Advisers to support the Aus4Equality|Gender Responsive Equitable Agriculture and Tourism (GREAT) Program.

GREAT is a flagship initiative of the Australian aid program.  The Program promotes women’s economic empowerment (WEE) in the ethnically diverse north-west region of Vietnam, through the integration of a MSD approach.

The primary beneficiaries are women living in the provinces of Son La and Lao Cai, while an overarching emphasis is placed on the inclusion of women from ethnic minority communities as these provinces are home to twelve and twenty-six ethnic groups respectively.

The objectives of the Aus4Equality|GREAT Program are:

• Objective 1 – Women, particularly ethnic minority women living in Son La and Lao Cai, have improved economic benefits.
• Objective 2 – Women, particularly ethnic minority women living in Son La and Lao Cai, have increased confidence and social status, including more balanced workloads and greater decision-making within the home, workplace, and community.      
• Objective 3 – Women, particularly ethnic minority women and household members living in Son La and Lao Cai benefit from more gender-responsive, inclusive, and effective provincial and national policies, plans, strategies, and programs.

Our approach to women’s economic empowerment focuses on:

• Reach: Engaging women in all project activities and addressing barriers to participation.
• Benefit: Improve women’s access to assets, financial services and support services.
• Empower: Strengthen the ability of women to make strategic life choices and put these into action.

The program is starting its second five-year phase and GREAT 2 will continue its focus on agriculture and tourism, identifying specific sectors that lend themselves to opportunities for women’s economic empowerment and work with multiple stakeholders to address constraints, generate opportunities, drive market growth and increase productive value of the sector. A limited number of agriculture sectors will be targeted, in addition to tourism. Cross-sector strategies such as women's entrepreneurship, financial inclusion, digital inclusion, policy advocacy and behaviour change will complement the sector strategies.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Periodically review GREAT’s agricultural, tourism and cross-cutting strategies to strengthen MSD approaches and identify additional issues to be addressed within the sectors that GREAT operates.
• Review selected new interventions to strengthen MSD elements.
• Participate as a strategic adviser on GREAT’s Investment Committee as required.
• Conduct periodic rapid assessments/reviews of GREAT’s interventions in selected sectors and mentor and coach staff based on key findings. 
• Deliver periodic training on MSD to the Project Management Units in Son La and Lao Cai and selected partners.

REQUIREMENTS

Education:

• Master’s Degree in business, economics, agriculture, international development or another relevant field.

Knowledge and Skills

• At least ten years of relevant work experience in market development within INGOs, consultancy or the private sector in Asia and internationally.
• In-depth understanding of inclusive market system development, enterprise assessment/support and commercial analysis.
• Strong understanding of the agricultural sector and exposure to the tourism sector.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills across cultures, including proven technical writing and presentation/communication skills.
• The ability to analyse, model and interpret data and a good understanding of Results Based Measurement.
• Critical thinking skills and conceptualisation.
• Good teamwork, mentoring and facilitation skills.
• An understanding of women’s economic empowerment and inclusion of people with disabilities is strongly preferred.
• Work experience within Vietnam is an advantage.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Candidates are encouraged to apply no later than 5 pm Hanoi Time (GMT+7) Friday 21 October 2022. We thank all applicants, however, only those making the shortlist will be contacted.

Interested candidates are invited to send an application to [email protected]. Please indicate in the subject “Application Market Systems Development Adviser Panel”

Applications should include:

• A cover letter responding to the selection criteria.
• A Curriculum Vitae.
• Contact details of three referees.

Cowater will enter into a framework contract with successful applicants for an initial two-year period.

Cowater is an equal opportunity employer. Women, people with a disability, and people from minority groups are strongly encouraged to apply. We thank you for your interest in building a better tomorrow with Cowater International.

For more opportunities, please visit our website at https://equality.aus4vietnam.org/careers or facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Aus4EqualityGREAT/