Market Manager Mid Level

Job Description

Position: Market Manager

Reports to: Country Manager, CASA, Nepal

1. Background to the Project

Department for International Development’s (DFID) new Commercial Agriculture for Smallholders and Agribusiness (CASA) programme seeks to demonstrate the benefits of increased sustainable investment in agribusinesses with smallholder supply chains and enable the involvement of poorer smallholders in those supply chains. In contributing to inclusive and sustainable economic growth, the programme must create decent jobs, catalyse sustainable improvements in incomes for female and male smallholder farmers and contribute to food and nutrition security, gender equality and climate change resilience.

For Nepal, two complementary value chains have been selected, dairy and vegetables. Specific indicative interventions have been developed to improve smallholder commercialisation in both value chains. Further investigations on how to integrate the activities across the two value chains will be identified during the inception phase.

2. Purpose of the Position

The Market Manager will be responsible for the overall planning and implementation of his/her assigned sector, in terms of strategic direction, reporting, budgeting, impact measurement and knowledge management. He/She will be responsible for the analysis of systemic constraints and opportunities in selected sectors/ cross-sectors, district-clusters, and agriculture market systems, as well as for the design and implementation of interventions in the selected sub-sectors/ cross-sectors.

3. Essential Functions and Responsibilities

3.1 Functions

• Provide strategic leadership to the assigned sector team.
• Lead the design and implementation of the strategic objectives of the sectors.
• Design and manage activities in accordance with the relevant strategies.
• Manage the implementation of interventions consistent with the market development approach.
• Contribute to preparation of annual business plan and manage activities in order to comply with the plan.
• Manage the sector team in accordance with the project manual.
• Review and contribute to group outputs, including annual and semester reports, ensure compliance with communications need, sign off all documents before review by the Country Manager.
• Set professional example; mentor and coach sector team’s staff.
• Provide support to the Core Leadership Team (CLT) as a member of the wider CLT.
• Conduct regular field visits to ensure proper implementation of activities.

3.2 Responsibilities

• Manage procurement process, prepare contracts, and work as the contract manager.
• Oversee performance of sub-contractors and monitor compliance with contracts and ToRs.
• Manage and develop professional working relationships with partners.
• Monitor and disseminate developments in relevant areas of professional interest.
• Manage recruitment process for the sector.
• Identify and manage inter and intra team synergies and coordination.
• Review and monitor monthly cash requests for the team.
• Review and monitor annual budget to ensure budgeted spending.
• Ensure quality checks on internal (progress report, MRM) and external (EOI, RFP, MOUs, contracts, ToRs)documents.
• Compile/ draft/review semester reports, portfolio and business plan for the sector.
• Ensure coordination and integration of Cross Sector Functions/Climate/Gender issues.

4. Time Involvement

The incumbent shall be engaged at 100% capacity.

5. Workplace

The workplace is located in the Swisscontact country office in Kathmandu, but work will involve frequent travels within Nepal.

6. Qualification, Experience and Competencies

• A minimum of 5 years work experience in the field of Market Systems Development (MSD)/Making Markets Work for the Poor (M4P) in agriculture, and/or Value Chain development with a Private Sector Development (PSD) focus.
• Bachelor or higher degree in relevant field. (Advanced degree in Business and/or Economics are preferred.)
• Familiarity with DCED standards for Monitoring and Result Measurement (MRM) in PSD, MSD and M4P programmes.
• Advanced communication skill in both English and Nepali (verbal and written).
• Ability and willingness to work in a team while delivering high quality outputs within a dynamic and fastpaced work environment.
• Passion and commitment to building a career in the development sector.
• Willingness and ability to travel within and outside Nepal.

7. Physical Demands

Field visits play a part in the incumbent’s activities; as such, it is expected that the incumbent is willing and able to take part in such activities as and when needed.

Apply Instructions

To Apply:

Submit current CV with a cover letter articulating your motivation to join Swisscontact and the reasons why you are the suitable candidate for the position to: np.info@swisscontact.org on or before 20 February, 2018. The subject line of your application should clearly mention the position you are applying for.

This job description can be adjusted according to the new developments and requirements of; upon agreement of both parties.

This Job is expired. The Company is no longer accepting applications for this position.