Liway Program (team Lead)

Background of the Programme

The Livelihoods Improvement for Women and Youth (LIWAY) is a thirteen-year programme (July 2017 to December 2028) funded by Sweden and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The programme was implemented by a consortium of partners, comprised of SNV Netherlands Development Organisation and Mercy Corps. LIWAY applies a market system development (MSD) approach that involves identifying the root causes of market failure that disadvantage or exclude poor women and youth from wage and self-employment opportunities and identifying private companies and public institutions with the incentive and ability to deliver change. The aim is to make market systems work better for the target groups while demonstrating benefits to public and private actors that play a role in the systems to ensure local ownership and sustainability and continued improvement beyond the programme period. The approach involves experimentation and learning rapidly from failures and amplifying successes.

Context and Purpose of the Job

The MSD Team Lead is part of the SNV Ethiopia and works for the LIWAY project funded by both EKN and Sida. The Team Lead will oversee the development and execution of effective system interventions within the anticipated urban livelihoods improvement program in Addis Ababa. This role requires strong technical knowledge in Market Systems Development (MSD), as well as leadership, strategic planning abilities, and effective team management to enhance overall performance and accountability.

Job Description

1. Oversee Intervention DesignGuide the development of interventions to ensure their efficiency and effectiveness in addressing system needs. Collaborate with team members to design innovative solutions that align with project objectives. As required, facilitate specific interventions.
2. Strategic PlanningDevelop comprehensive work plans and budgets that align with project goals and objectives. Ensure that system interventions are executed on schedule and within budgetary constraints. Monitor progress and adapt plans as necessary to achieve desired outcomes.
3. Stakeholder EngagementEngage with relevant stakeholders to gather insights and foster collaboration that supports intervention success. Build and maintain relationships with key partners to enhance program impact. Work closely with key market players, including government agencies, private business companies, financial institutions, and business development service providers, to enhance their performance in market systems improvement. Steer interventions that require a higher level/policy level engagement.
4. Manage Team PerformanceOffer coaching and mentorship to Market System Advisors, guiding their professional development. Monitor and evaluate team performance, providing constructive feedback to enhance effectiveness. Facilitate capacity building for internal and external market actors. Steer colleagues and coach associated partners/external stakeholders on quality within the context of assignments. Provide technical expertise and guidance in MSD, and apply process improvements in projects. Coach colleagues and associated partners both professionally and operationally on the quality of context within projects.
5. Coordinate Team ActivitiesFacilitate collaboration among team members of partners to ensure complementary efforts and maximize overall efficiency. Organize team meetings and workshops to discuss progress, challenges, and opportunities for improvement. Closely collaborate with other consortium members' staff to achieve program objectives and goals.
6. Reporting and AccountabilityEnsure regular reporting on progress and outcomes of specific system interventions. Maintain accountability for the team's performance and the impacts of interventions. Define and document best practices along the program implementation for further development of the program.
7. Knowledge DevelopmentContribute to internal and external knowledge development. Ensure lessons learned are shared and applied in daily practice and may be appointed as (national) focal point of an expertise network. Initiate/coordinate the review process and evaluation of advisory services to collect lessons learned, propose corrective measures, and ensure identification of follow-up assignments. Participate in knowledge development/expertise groups and in internal and external networks.
8. Project and Process DevelopmentIdentify and propose technical process improvements to the project team. Act on improvement areas within the local internal organization and processes, and give feedback. Ensure lessons learned are applied in daily practice. Deliver other assignments as required.

Qualifications

Educational Qualifications and Experience: Master's Degree or equivalent in relevant disciplines such as International Development, Business, Economics, Trade, Financial Systems, or Labor Markets. At least eight years of work experience in urban livelihoods development activities, focusing on promoting urban poor groups, particularly youth and gender engagement. Strong understanding of the Market Systems Development (MSD) approach. Excellent analytical abilities with demonstrated experience in working within multidisciplinary and multicultural teams. Full professional proficiency in spoken and written English, along with strong report writing and documentation skills. Ability to foster an open-minded and learning-oriented environment while adapting to dynamic working conditions. Proficient in computer skills and relevant technologies applicable to the role.

Competencies:

• Conceptual thinking
• Communication
• Coaching
• Focus on quality
• Result orientation
• Persuasiveness
• Problem Analysis
• Perseverance

Additional Information

Contract Type: National, Full-time

Expected start date: February 2, 2026

Duty Station: Addis Ababa

Contract Duration: One year with the possibility of extension based on performance and budget availability.

Skills Required:

• Accounting / Finance
• Economics / Statistics
• Political / Science / Ir
• Sales / Marketing / Business / Management
• Social / Science / Project / Management / Development