Market System Development Officer

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 w