Market Systems Development National Coordinator

Introduction

The Market Systems Development National Coordinator will be a core team member of the ILO’s Manzuma project, implemented under the Regional Development and Protection Programme (RDPP III). Manzuma focuses on strengthening market systems to improve the economic resilience and decent work opportunities for Syrian refugees and vulnerable Jordanians, with a strong emphasis on women’s economic empowerment.

The project identifies constraints and opportunities within selected sectors and value chains, partnering with market actors such as businesses, cooperatives, service providers, and associations to co-design and test interventions that address root causes of market dysfunction. This approach ensures that solutions are owned by market actors, embedded within normal business practice, and scalable beyond the life of the project.

The Coordinator’s role is central to this facilitation model. They will lead the design and management of pilot interventions that incentivise enterprises and other market actors to adopt more inclusive business models, expand market opportunities for home-based businesses (HBBs), and strengthen the supporting functions (such as business development services, logistics, quality assurance, and compliance) needed for inclusive market growth.

This role requires a strong ability to translate research and evidence into practical partnerships, engage businesses in co-creating solutions, and see beyond direct service delivery to focus on how the system can work better for vulnerable groups at scale. The Coordinator will work closely with local stakeholders, private sector actors, civil society partners, consultants and the ILO technical team to ensure that each pilot aligns with the project’s Theory of Change and generates lessons that can inform policy dialogue and replication.

The ideal candidate will bring a strong understanding of private sector dynamics, partnership building, and local enterprise challenges in Jordan — as well as a genuine interest in systems thinking, facilitation, and working in an adaptive way to unlock practical, sustainable change.

Reporting lines

The Market Systems Development National Coordinator will report directly to the Technical Officer, Inclusive Market Systems Development for the Manzuma project, based in Amman. The National Coordinator will also receive ongoing technical guidance and backstopping from the Enterprise Development Specialist for the Arab States, as well as from the Entrepreneurship and Inclusive Markets team at ILO Headquarters.

The role will require close coordination with other ILO project staff, national and regional ILO colleagues, implementing partners, and external consultants to ensure that all market systems interventions are coherent, technically robust, and aligned with the ILO’s global standards and approaches for inclusive market systems development.

Description of Duties

The Market Systems Development National Coordinator will play a central role in ensuring that Manzuma’s activities are market-led, evidence-driven, and gender-transformative. In close coordination with the Technical Officer and technical advisors, the Coordinator will:

1. Conduct ongoing research to generate market intelligence and detailed analyses of selected value chains and sub-sectors, using desk research, key informant interviews (KIIs), and focus group discussions (FGDs).

2. Coordinate and support external consultants to produce gender-sensitive market system analyses (MSAs) and ensure that findings are practical and actionable.

3. Develop and maintain strong working relationships with private sector actors, business development service (BDS) providers, cooperatives, industry associations, and relevant government, social partners,  and civil society organizations.

4. Co-create pilot intervention ideas with partners, ensuring that interventions are commercially viable and address systemic constraints identified through research.

5. Coordinate and monitor the roll-out and day-to-day management of pilot interventions in close collaboration with partners, service providers and consultants, ensuring that pilots demonstrate clear pathways for sustainability and crowding-in. Continuously track progress, flag risks, and propose adaptations as needed.

6. Work with MEL experts to design and apply robust monitoring systems for each pilot, including results chains and indicators clearly aligned with the project’s Theory of Change. Develop simple tools to capture lessons learned and measure systemic change over time.

7. Contribute to regular internal reflection meetings and learning sessions.

8. Lead, draft and contribute in the preparation of learning briefs, background information, technical reports and periodic progress reports and statistical data on status of the overall activities of the Project as well as case studies and policy discussion papers based on pilot experiences.

9. Support the organisation of stakeholder events, workshops and knowledge-sharing forums to amplify learning and catalyse replication of successful models.

10. Maintain clear documentation of lessons learned and good practices for internal and external audiences.

11. Undertake other related tasks as assigned by the Technical Officer to support the successful delivery of the Manzuma project and the ILO’s broader market systems development portfolio.

Required qualifications

Education

First-level university degree in economics, business administration, development studies, social sciences or a related field. Additional training in Market Systems Development (MSD), value chain development, or private sector development is highly desirable.

Experience

At least one year of professional experience at the national level in the area of enterprise development, value chain upgrading, private sector partnerships, or similar economic development fields.

and proven track record of working directly with businesses, cooperatives, or business development service providers.

Experience in programme implementation, monitoring, and managing partnerships with a diverse range of stakeholders is an advantage. Prior exposure to gender equality or women’s economic empowerment initiatives will be considered a strong asset.

Technical requirements: Strong technical knowledge of local market dynamics, enterprise development, or value chain analysis is essential. The candidate should be familiar with basic monitoring frameworks. Experience applying a gender lens in economic development contexts will be an advantage.

Languages

Excellent knowledge of English and Arabic are required.

Competencies

• Strong understanding of local business environments and the ability to analyse market trends and stakeholder interests.
• Good organisational and planning skills; able to coordinate multiple activities with diverse partners and stakeholders.
• Good knowledge of the context and challenges for the project areas of expertise.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to justify requirements and approaches to problem resolution, and good drafting skills.
• Good ability to interpret project information and to identify and analyze problems with implementation
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build trust and maintain effective working relationships with businesses, community actors and institutions.
• Ability to synthesise research findings into practical recommendations and communicate these clearly in writing and presentations.
• Demonstrated teamwork and collaboration skills; able to work effectively in a multicultural and interdisciplinary environment.
• Good problem-solving and adaptability skills; able to respond to changing circumstances and adjust plans as needed.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and familiarity with basic data collection and reporting tools.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
• Commitment to gender-sensitive and inclusive approaches in line with ILO principles.

optional section (if needed)

Candidates assessed by the Panel and considered to be eligible for appointment but who are not selected for this vacant post may be offered an assignment to another position at the same or lower grade provided that they meet the minimum qualifications required