Advisor Inclusive Economic Development in Asia

What You'll Do:

• Strategy and Implementation: Design and implement strategies to address systemic problems in trade and entrepreneurship across Asia. You’ll work both internally with Swisscontact teams and externally with clients like donors and other 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 and implementing agencies, across multiple countries and sectors.
• Collaborate with Experts: You’ll be part of a team of global specialists in market systems 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 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 Asia.
• 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 Communicator: You can translate complex ideas into actionable advice for different audiences, from 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 is a must.
• Willingness to Travel: This role requires frequent travel across Asia 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 - Swiss Foundation for Technical Cooperation

Swisscontact is an independent non-profit development organisation established in 1959 by representatives of the Swiss private sector and civil society.

Our development work focuses on unleashing the potential of private initiatives in developing and emerging countries. We foster sustainable and inclusive economic development with the objective of improving the quality of life for all.

Our work is based on three foundational pillars: We strengthen the competencies of individuals so they can improve their income and their opportunities for employment; we enhance the competitiveness of businesses to help them grow and become more resilient; we promote socio-economic systems that favour comprehensive development for widespread prosperity.

The organisation is currently active in over 130 projects in 41 countries with around 1400 employees. It is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland.