Market Systems Development Specialist

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JOB OPPORTUNITY

Market Systems Development Specialist - Ninewa

World Vision International is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. World Vision - Iraq Office is looking for a highly qualified and motivated person for the position of Market Systems Development Specialist - Ninewa.

PURPOSE OF POSITION:

The Market Systems Development Specialist will lead the design and implementation of inclusive market systems interventions under the “Sustainable and Resilient Future – Ninewa” project. The role focuses on applying World Vision’s Markets for Communities approach to strengthen market linkages between producers, private sector actors, and public institutions, ensuring efficiency, sustainability, and inclusivity. The Specialist will identify opportunities to improve market functionality, facilitate value chain development, and design solutions that promote market growth and resilience. Responsibilities include building the capacity of project staff and partners on market systems development, harmonizing implementation and monitoring tools, and ensuring quality assurance in all economic development activities. The position will work closely with livelihood staff, saving groups, and financial institutions including microfinance providers to enable integrated market systems development and deliver measurable impact for farmers and local businesses.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

1.       Technical Leadership, Mapping of key stakeholders, coordination of the Market, and Value Chain Analysis:

·       Provide technical leadership on market systems and value chains for the Sustainable and Resilient Future–Ninewa project, adopting the Markets for Communities module;

·       Map and connect smallholder producers and saving groups to key market players (private/public/financial institutions) to increase productivity, profitability, and household incomes;

·       Develop/contribute training materials and manuals for management of agricultural and non-agricultural enterprises— including collection centers and value chain improvement;

·       Identify and support niche commercialization opportunities (e.g., high-value crops, off‑farm opportunities).

2.       Monitoring, evaluation, reporting, learning, and knowledge management:

·       Develop data collection tools and techniques to monitor interventions (including volume and value of marketed products in collection centers/cooperatives);

·       Conduct follow-up visits to assess progress and provide technical support;

·       Document lessons learned, best practices, successes, case studies, and impacts for internal/external sharing;

·       Assist the Project Manager and MEAL Specialist in preparing timely, accurate, high-quality donor reports;

·       Apply innovative approaches to monitor and evaluate performance, effectiveness, and impact of livelihood interventions;

·       Support baseline and endline studies, research sustainable livelihoods and economic development; document case studies showing social transformation and sustainable development outcomes.

3.       Partnerships, networking, external engagements, and advocacy:

·       Identify, profile, and build strategic linkages with partners across value chains, market systems, and financial inclusion;

·       Liaise with financial institutions/MFIs to enable tailored financing and product development for commodity improvement and SME growth;

·       Ensure effective coordination and engagement among project partners and stakeholders for delivery of the Business Plan for Economic Empowerment;

·       Establish and maintain relations with Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Trade and Industry, and other relevant stakeholders;

·       Increase project visibility through engagement in value chain and market systems development;

·       Promote cross-learning through networks; participate in networking meetings and guide members toward mutually beneficial livelihood improvements;

·       Represent the project in forums, workshops, and conferences; meet regularly with like-minded bodies to strategize effective Market Systems Development;

·       Strengthen platforms for prioritized on‑farm, off‑farm, and non‑farm value chains;

·       Identify advocacy issues affecting smallholders and mobilize stakeholders to influence policies, remove barriers, and expand access to markets;

·       Lead mapping/selection/engagement/coordination of private sector actors.

4.       Acquisition of grants and resources:

·       Identify challenges/opportunities within project areas and formulate concepts/proposals for donors;

·       Participate in concept note/proposal development for livelihoods/resilience;

·       Generate quality data and evidence to support proposals and showcase impacts;

·       Build/strengthen relationships with private sector actors and donors to explore funding;

·       Leverage ground evidence to attract additional financing for market systems interventions.

Perform other duties as required

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

·       Master’s degree in Agribusiness, Rural Development, Entrepreneurship, Business Administration, Social Sciences, or any other related field.

·       A Bachelor’s degree with at least 7 years of relevant experience may be considered in place of a Master’s.

·       At least 5 years of relevant work experience in designing and implementing economic development/Market System development projects in the Private sector, Public or Non-Government Organizations.

·       Must have an awareness of key market system-related project models and approaches such as inclusive Market Systems Development, Local Value Chain Development (LVCD), Business Facilitation, (BF), Saving Groups, Microfinance, Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA), Nutrition-Sensitive Agriculture (NSA), Farmer Managed Natural Resources (FMNR), Citizen Voice and Action (CVA), Cash/Food Programming, and CBDRM.

·       Experience working with government institutions, NGOs, and international development agencies.

·       Sound knowledge of the Iraq Resilience and Livelihood programming context

·       Demonstrated ability to work in Resilience and Livelihood programs across Iraq

·       Strong project management skills

·       Strong capacity building skills

·       Good interpersonal skills

·       Ability to work with minimal supervision

·       Fluency in Arabic (spoken and written).

·       Proficiency in English (spoken and written).

·       Capacity to carry training materials and equipment as needed.

·       No specific physical limitations, but reasonable accommodations will be made for qualified individuals with disabilities.

·       Experience in designing and delivering Training of Trainers (ToT) programs.

·       Familiarity with climate-smart agriculture, sustainable land management, and water conservation techniques.

·       Strong facilitation, coaching, and mentoring skills.

·       Knowledge of local agricultural systems, market dynamics, and value chains in Iraq.

·       Experience with donor-funded projects, particularly those funded by UN agencies or international NGOs.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

·       The position is based in Ninewa-Mosul.

·       Willingness to travel frequently within Ninewa Governorate, including rural and field locations. (Up to 80% of the time)

·       Ability to work in a multicultural and occasionally high-pressure environment.

·       Flexibility to adapt to changing project needs and field conditions.

·       Ability to conduct field visits in rural/agricultural settings, which may involve walking on uneven terrain and exposure to outdoor conditions.

Applicant Types Accepted: