Advisor Inclusive Economic Development in Latin America

What You'll Do:

• Strategy and Implementation: Design and implement strategies to address systemic problems in trade and entrepreneurship across Latin America. You’ll work both internally with Swisscontact teams and externally with clients like donors, foundations and development agencies, ensuring what you design gets put into action.
• Deliver Advisory, Training, and Research: Lead advisory and training services for both Swisscontact projects and external clients. You’ll provide expert guidance on how to foster inclusive growth and deliver research that helps partners understand what works and why.
• Capacity Building with Bite: Don’t just train people; ensure they get it. Your job is to build real capabilities in partners and teams, so they can independently run with these initiatives.
• Lead Projects That Matter: You’ll manage consulting projects that deliver concrete improvements. Your job is to make sure they succeed, and that they fit with both the local context and our broader goals.
• Research with Impact: Conduct and oversee research initiatives that inform and refine strategies for both Swisscontact and its clients. Your work won’t just sit in reports—it will drive decision-making and project design.
• Cross-Country Learning: Spread the lessons from one context to others, ensuring that successes in one area benefit the entire region.

Why You’ll Like It Here:

• Real Challenges, Real Impact: You’ll tackle complex, systemic issues that impact real lives.
• Varied Clients, Varied Contexts: You’ll work with a range of stakeholders, from internal Swisscontact teams to external donors, implementing agencies and private sector clients, across multiple countries and sectors.
• Collaborate with Experts: You’ll be part of a team of global specialists in inclusive economic development. You'll be exchanging knowledge and best practices with some of the best in the field.

What We’re Looking For:

• A Strategic Doer: You can see the big picture but also know how to roll up your sleeves and make things happen.
• Experience That Counts: Deep expertise in trade and enterprise development is essential. You should know how to work within the market systems development (MSD) framework and have experience working across different cultures and contexts in Latin America.
• Advisory and Training Expertise: You can deliver tailored advisory services and hands-on training that equips teams and clients to solve real-world problems. You’ll need to adapt your approach depending on the audience—whether it’s internal staff, donors, or local stakeholders—ensuring that complex ideas lead to practical action.
• Researcher with a Practical Edge: You understand that research should drive action. Your research will be used to refine projects, inform clients, and improve strategies.
• Effective Diplomatic Communicator: You can translate complex ideas into actionable advice for different audiences, from project teams to government officials to private sector stakeholders.

Relevant Experience

• At least 7-10 years of experience working on economic development initiatives. Experience in the market systems development (MSD) approach is a must.
• A relevant advanced degree in economics, international development, or a related field is preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex ideas clearly and persuasively.
• Fluency in English and Spanish is a must.
• Willingness to Travel: This role requires frequent travel across Latin America and occasional global travel.

Swisscontact offers attractive working conditions in an international and multicultural context. We see our work as a joint effort in an agile organizational culture: mutual respect, trust and teamwork. If you're an experienced, highly motivated, and client-focused professional with a passion for inclusive economic development, we'd love to have you on board.

We look forward to receiving your online application with the following documents in English: letter of motivation, curriculum vitae, relevant diplomas, references and salary expectation until 13 October 2024. Please apply exclusively via the online application portal. For further information please visit www.swisscontact.org

Swisscontact - Schweizerische Stiftung für technische Entwicklungszusammenarbeit

Swisscontact ist eine unabhängige, gemeinnützige Entwicklungsorganisation, die 1959 von Akteuren der Schweizer Privatwirtschaft und Zivilgesellschaft gegründet wurde.

In unserer Entwicklungsarbeit nutzen wir das Potenzial privater Initiative in Entwicklungs- und Schwellenländern. Wir fördern eine nachhaltige und integrative wirtschaftliche Entwicklung mit dem Ziel, die Lebensqualität für alle zu verbessern.

Unsere Arbeit basiert auf drei Säulen: Wir stärken die Kompetenzen von Menschen, damit sie ihr Einkommen verbessern und ihre Erwerbschancen verbessern können; wir erhöhen die Wettbewerbsfähigkeit von Unternehmen, damit sie wachsen und ihre Widerstandsfähigkeit stärken können; und wir fördern sozioökonomische Systeme, um eine ganzheitliche Entwicklung für breitenwirksamen Wohlstand zu begünstigen.

Die Organisation ist derzeit mit rund 1400 Mitarbeitenden in über 130 Projekten in 41 Ländern aktiv. Der Hauptsitz befindet sich in Zürich, Schweiz.