Inclusive Market Systems Development (iMSD) Specialist  

Soukhouma District, Champasak Province

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World Vision International Lao PDR is looking for The Inclusive Market Systems Development (iMSD) Specialist will provide technical advice, guidance, and support to a wide range of program design and implementation in Market Systems and Value Chain development in line with World Vision International - Lao programme quality principles and standards, donor guidelines, and industry best practices to advance the delivery of high-quality programming to target groups. 

The iMSD Specialist will lead the design and implementation of market systems activities within the program, from assessment validation and activity selection to planning, scaling, and roll-out.   The position will bring analytical thinking and innovative approaches to ensure integration and alignment across all WVIL programming.

Technical knowledge, advice and guidance of the position will contribute to effective, adaptive, and innovative market systems programming in Soukouma District, Champasak Province.

Major Responsibilities:

Technical Leadership

• Identify strategic opportunities for Market Systems Development (MSD) interventions in priority green sectors. This includes conducting market assessments, stakeholder consultations, and analyzing systemic constraints to design impactful and scalable solutions. Ensure that interventions align with program goals, address market inefficiencies, and create inclusive economic opportunities for poor and marginalized groups.
• Drive systemic changes by improving the functioning of market systems, including enhancing services, refining regulatory frameworks, and strengthening inclusive and green business models. Collaborate with market actors to remove barriers that hinder access to markets, promote competition, and ensure equitable participation. 
• Build and maintain strong, trust-based relationships with key market stakeholders, including private sector entities, government bodies, and civil society organizations. Engage these actors in a collaborative process to co-create innovative solutions that address the specific needs and barriers faced by poor and marginalized communities. Facilitate partnerships that foster inclusive business practices and drive market-driven approaches to economic development.
• Identify key activities to empower households so that they can better participate and benefit in market systems, such as through skills development, market linkages and support with aggregation
• Ensure that inclusive Market Systems Development (iMSD) interventions are seamlessly integrated with other key focus area especially climate adaptation and mitigation, and environmental sustainability across the project cycle
• Ensuring iMSD interventions are applying a GEDSI across the project cycle, prioritizing women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE)
• With other sectoral experts to foster more holistic, sustainable solutions that address root causes in the context of economic, social and environmental systems.

Program Design and Intervention management 

• Lead the technical team in line with the matrix reporting, facilitative implementation process that sets the strategic direction (vision) and intervention designs that will lead to durable market systems change. 
• Oversee the implementation of strategies to enhance access to employment and market, income generation and improvement for target participants.
• Identify strategic opportunities for Market Systems Development (MSD) interventions in priority green sectors. This includes conducting market assessments, stakeholder consultations, and analyzing systemic constraints to design impactful and scalable solutions. Ensure that interventions align with program goals, address market inefficiencies, and create inclusive economic opportunities for poor and marginalized groups.
• Effectively manage system development interventions using WV Intervention management guide. Identify strategic opportunities for Market Systems Development (MSD) interventions in priority sectors. .
• Engage with potential market actors (Private and Public Sector) to, co-create, pilot and scale inclusive and green business models.

Stakeholder Engagement 

Developing and maintaining strong, collaborative relationships with key market players, including private sector actors, government agencies, and communities, to foster trust and cooperation.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL)

• Design and support comprehensive monitoring and evaluation management with M&E manager to track the progress, performance, and impact of market interventions. Establish key indicators that measure both immediate outputs and long-term outcomes, ensuring that they capture changes in market systems, livelihoods, and inclusivity
• Promote adaptive management in the monitoring of inclusive business model and other activity results chains.
• Adapt and deliver trainings and workshops on market system development approaches and private sector engagement to staff and partners.

Required Education, Professional Experience

• Bachelor or master’s degree in economics, Agri – Economics, international development, or related fields with a focus in business is required.
• Possesses a strong understanding of Market Systems Development (MSD) principles and approaches, including frameworks like Market 4 Poor, Market based programming or similar methodologies. Experienced in conducting market analyses, value chain development, and sector assessments to identify opportunities and constraints.
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate systemic changes in market systems that lead to inclusive and sustainable economic growth. This involves leveraging innovative approaches to address market inefficiencies, promote equitable access for marginalized groups.
• Extensive experience working with diverse stakeholders, including private sector actors, government agencies, and local communities, in development settings. Skill at fostering partnerships, engaging with local and international organizations, and facilitating collaboration across sectors to achieve program objectives and drive sustainable market transformations.
• Experience in Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) and financial inclusion programs.
• Experience with program monitoring and evaluation and analysis, especially adaptive management.
• Experience and skills in networking and building relationships with peer organizations, and faith-based and civil society partners. Understanding of partnership principles.

Preferred Knowledge and Qualifications

• A minimum of 3-5 years of hands-on experience in Market Systems Development (MSD), Value Chain Development, or related fields. This includes designing and implementing market-based interventions that address systemic barriers and foster economic growth. 
• Strong relationship management skills with ability to influence and get buy-in 
• Good strategic, analytical, problem-solving and systems thinking skills with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgment.
• Proactive, resourceful, and results-oriented; self-starter with ability to prioritize and identify tangible steps to implement new approaches.
• Excellent technical writing skills
• Presentation, facilitation, training, mentoring, and coaching skills
• Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information and budget management systems, knowledge-sharing networks.

Travel and/or Work Environment

As required by the project implementation.

In good physical condition to travel to districts and reach remote villages.

Decision Making

Decision to be made in consultation with the immediate supervisor as per the level of authority (LOA).

Encouragement

World Vision is committed to the principles of workplace diversity. Qualified women and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. 

World Vision offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package. We offer a challenging work environment, opportunities to lead, and a commitment to growing your skills in a fulfilling and international working environment.

Application

Interested candidates are invited to submit a COVER LETTER and CV to the link below. Please indicate the POSITION TITLE.  Deadline for application is 22 June 2025, however applicants are encouraged to apply early as applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis and the position will close early if a suitable candidate is found.

Women are strongly encouraged to apply.

Please submit your application to this link: https://worldvision.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/WorldVisionInternational/job/Soukhoumma-ADP-Laos/Inclusive-Market-Systems-Development--iMSD--Specialist_JR42875

Code of Conduct

World Vision has zero tolerance of incidents of violence or abuse against children and other people in the communities we serve, either committed by our staff or others connected to our work. We abhor any misuse of power, status, or trusted position for any sexual or other exploitative purposes. All World Vision’s employees are required to adhered to and promote World Vision shared responsibility and obligation to report matters involving Sexual Exploitation & Abuse, Trafficking in Persons, Child Safeguarding and any suggested violation to our Code of Conduct which may involve Conflicts of Interest, Fraud, Corruption or Harassment. 

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