WVV Special Project Technical Specialist- Inclusive Market Systems Development (iMSD) - BASIN Project

World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization working to improve the quality of life of people, especially children who are marginalized and living in poverty. World Vision helps all who are in need, regardless of their religion, race, ethnicity or gender. As a child-focused organization, World Vision International in Vietnam’s work focuses on children, ensuring that they are protected and their basic needs are met. World Vision International in Vietnam (WVIV) has been funded by 13 support countries in Europe, Asia, the Americas, and Australia. Funding of WVIV consists of sponsorship program funding (70%) and Private Non-Sponsorship (PNS)/grants (30%). WVIV employs about 400 staff, of which 99% are Vietnamese nationals. WVIV is operating in 29 Area Programs (AP) in 4 zones: North 1 (Dien Bien, Ha Noi, Hai Phong), North 2 (Thanh Hoa, Hung Yen, Quang Ninh), Central (Quang Tri and Da Nang), and South (Quang Ngai, Ho Chi Minh, Lam Dong). An Giang is a newly included province in WVIV’s plan to expand operations in the Mekong Delta region.

The Building Climate-Adaptive Solutions through Inclusive Market Networks (BASIN) project funded by Mekong Australia Partnership (MAP) of Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of of Australian Government (DFAT) seeks to enhance economic resilience through the promotion of climate-smart agricultural practices in agri-food systems in Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam, and develop inclusive markets prioritising women and marginalised groups The BASIN project focuses on three main key components: (1) Improved economic resilience through inclusive and climate-resilient business models; (2) Improved agency and more equitable social systems for women and marginalised groups; and (3) Improved regional coordination and knowledge- & evidence-based learning for resilience building

The project which is to launch from 01-May-2025 to 30-April-2029 (48 months), will be implemented in Vinh Thuan commune and U Minh Thuong commune, An Giang province.

To provide technical support to BASIN project in the areas of Inclusive Market Systems Development (iMSD) for the selected on-farm and off-farm commodities, linking farmers to sustainable markets, liaising with value chain actors and supporters, and exploring opportunities for value addition to improve the well-being of children. H/she will work with Project team members and other collaborating project partners and community stakeholders to ensure project objectives are achieved.

1. Project Planning and Implementation- Work closely with regional technical experts and WVIV’s Livelihood Technical Program manager/ specialist to:

• Undertake technical responsibility to BASIN Project on inclusive market systems development.
• Guide project team and local partners on mapping and connecting smallholder farmers for a profitable, effective, commercial agriculture.
• Responsible for project annual budget preparation or request’s submission with inputs on inclusive market systems related activities.
• Work closely with team members, key partners and build their capacities on integrated market-driven approaches and support them to identify opportunities for replication and scale-up.
• Develop or provide inputs relevant training materials, manuals related to on-farm/ off-farm marketing; co-operative/collective group management, value chain analysis, value chain development planning and upgrading.
• Identify and lead the development of niche marketing opportunities such as organic and fair trade.
• Explore different types of farmer-market linkages to offer opportunity for improving smallholder marketing;
• Undertake the development of sustainable livelihoods initiatives at the community.
• Carry out gender-sensitive participatory market research and value chain analysis: In collaboration with Livelihood Technical Program Officers (TPOs) to work with consultants/ experts to conduct market research analysis, taking consideration gender sensitivities.
• Train and coach producer groups on business development planning: Collaborate with TPOs to provide training and coaching to producer groups on business development planning. This includes imparting skills in collective production, social entrepreneurship, negotiation, value addition, and marketing.
• Conduct training for agriculture/livestock extension workers, and local partners such as Farmer Union, Women on improved agricultural practices: Work with TPOs and consultants/ experts to organize training sessions for extension workers to enhance their knowledge and skills in improved agricultural practices, climate-smart agriculture, nutrition-sensitive agriculture, and natural resource management.
• Promote the use of digital platforms for production planning, monitoring, harvesting and market links.

2. Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting, Learning and Knowledge Management

• Ensure effective monitoring and supervision of interventions.
• Co-ordinate joint planning, monitoring with relevant stakeholders.
• Develop data collection tools and techniques for monitoring project related interventions including marketing volume and value of commodities at collection centres and cooperatives.
• Conduct monitoring visits to project activities to assess progress against targets and provide technical backstopping to activities in areas where improvements are needed.
• Ensure the documentation of lessons learned, best practices, success stories, case studies and project impacts for sharing at internal and external knowledge sharing forums
• Prepare and submit timely and accurate reports that meet donor requirements.
• Use innovative approaches to monitor and evaluate performance, effectiveness/impacts of livelihoods interventions
• Support in research and project evaluation activities such as; baseline and end line.
• Document case studies/ best practices of market-driven approaches in programming that clearly demonstrate both social transformation and sustainable development outcomes of the interventions

3. Partnering, Networking, External Engagements

• Identify and build strategic linkages, relations, collaborations and networks with partners and other stakeholders in market systems and financial inclusion
• Ensure effective co-ordination and engagement among BASIN project partners and stakeholders at different levels for successful implementation of the Economic Empowerment Business Plan.
• Build and strengthen effective relations with networks and promote cross learning to enrich BASIN economic development and livelihoods programs in market systems.
• Attend national, international organization events and represent BASIN project in economic development and sustainable livelihood fora, meetings, workshops, conferences and contribute to technical interactions and discussions.
• Identify advocacy opportunities that affect project beneficiaries especially small holder farmers and engage relevant stakeholders for action and influence national and sub-national policies, remove barriers and promote access to agricultural commercialization

4. Other responsibilities:

• Perform any other duties that may be assigned by Direct Supervisor.

• Minimum 5 years of directly relevant professional experience in the area of inclusive market system development, local value chain development or livelihood development.

• Working experience/expertise in agribusiness, value chains, market-based value chains, others.
• Strong experience in working with Government, private sector, NGO, and civil society groups
• Research experience in conducting market assessment and value chain analysis
• Experience in capacity building for local stakeholders/partners.
• A Bachelor Degree in Agribusiness, Economics, Marketing, Rural Development, Development Studies, Project Management, International development or related field. A Master Degree in relevant field is a plus.
• Able to work with a wide range of stakeholders including community-based organizations, local NGOs, local government and officials, donors, and colleagues.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent coordination and planning skills
• Excellent team player with minimum supervision
• Excellent facilitation, presentation and reporting kills
• Good understanding of inclusive and holistic programming such as; Climate smart approach, GESI responsive and transformative approaches, Market Led approaches, Financial Management, and mainstreaming strategies and activities livelihood sector.
• Strong partnering, conflict management, and consensus building, negotiation and contracting skills
• Ability to work under tight deadlines
• Experience working with both formal and informal financial Institutions
• Willingness to work long hours when required
• Ability to speak English fluently
• Self-motivated, innovative, and able to work under pressure
• Willingness to support articulate and demonstrate World Vision’s core in meaningful ways to colleagues, partners, children, parents and communities.
• The position requires ability and willingness and willingness to travel to the field up to 30-40% of the time. Local people is preferred.
• WVI give equal opportunity to every candidate, regardless of religion, race and gender.
• We thank all applicants for their interest in joining World Vision. Please note that only those selected for further consideration will be contacted