Job Opportunity

Market Development Officer (MDO)

Project title:             Creating a Sustainable Circular Economy for Plastic Waste in Vietnam

Project duration:      3 years

Job location:             Danang City, Vietnam

Reports to:                Project Manager – iDE Vietnam

Liaises with:              Project Officer and technical project staff

About iDE

iDE (www.ideglobal.org) is a U.S.-based international non-governmental organization implementing development programs in Africa, Asia and Central America. In Vietnam, since 1991, employing a market facilitation approach with strong partnerships at local and national government levels, iDE has implemented projects in pig value chain development, fertilizer deep placement commercialization, clean water, tobacco control, micro- irrigation technology commercialization and market-based sanitation. iDE Vietnam focuses on building the capacity of government partners and private sector actors to effectively scale market-based solutions, resulting in lower poverty, increased climate resilience, better health and cleaner environments.

About the project

The Creating a Sustainable Circular Economy for Plastic Waste in Vietnam project has the long term vision of cultivating plastic waste recycling as a profitable venture for everyone involved in the value chain—particularly for local waste collectors and small recycling business owners—while reducing the flow of plastic waste into natural environments in coastal cities of Vietnam.

iDE is uniquely situated to lead the pursuit of this vision as the implementing partner in this project. iDE has pioneered market-based development and inclusive market ecosystem creation for over 30 years with deep experience in human centered design, supply chain strengthening, and product and service-delivery innovation. To complement our strengths, iDE has assembled a team of commercial partners that share our vision and are ready to pursue it, including: (1 )Oceanworks is our international commercial partner and is a US-based company that hosts a platform built to drive recycled plastic offtake and reduce demand for new virgin plastic. Their expansive and growing range of recycled resins, textiles, and products from committed independent suppliers is sold to brands and manufacturers globally. (2) ReForm Plastic is our local commercial partner and is a technology provider for low-grade plastic processing and production of materials and products made from recycled low-grade plastic.

Overall responsibilities

The Market Development Officer (MDO) is responsible for building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders in the PWP project at the local level. The MDO helps to form linkages for the local plastic waste entrepreneurs to individual waste workers and upwards to the larger private sector, focusing on Oceanworks and ReForm Plastic. This relationship will include rapport building through activities including but not limited to value chain support, business capacity development training and technology introduction sessions for the entrepreneurs.

Key Responsibilities and Tasks

Working under theoverall direction of the Project Manager, the MDO’s responsibilities will include the following:

• Serve as the project’s technical staff in sustainable plastic waste value chain system
• Support in the design, management, and implementation of relevant project activities, including: the design of an initial market assessment, identifying focal point businesses and co-creating viable business models, designing financing mechanisms, creating linkages between private sector actors,
• Responsible for planning and monitoring implementation and budget of assigned components to ensure the project is on track and delivering results,
• Support in building the capacity of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the plastic waste value chain, including the informal waste workers, junk shops, aggregators, and/or plastic recyclers
• Conduct regular visits to project sites, as feasible, to provide technical assistance, and ensure proper implementation and monitoring of project activities
• Other duties as assigned by the Project Manager.

Skills and Experience

A successful Market Development Officer will have the following skills and experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Social Sciences, Engineering or another relevant field
• At least 3 years of experience working on market system development in relevant fields
• Considerable understanding and knowledge of market system and value chain
• Previous experience in private sector preferable
• Strong in financial skills (e.g. profit & loss statements, cash flow statements, balance sheets)
• Understanding of the technical, social aspects and other constraints in the development field is an advantaged.
• Excellent interpersonal and leadership skills
• Self-motivated, energetic and team player
• Ability to work with various national and international team members and flexibility to adapt to different work conditions
• Ability to interact and collaborate with a broad range of public and private sector and NGO partners.
• Good command of the English language - this will be tested.

Women are actively encouraged to apply. iDE provides a women friendly work environment with flexible work arrangements, appropriate skills development opportunities and good career development potential for high performing individuals. We are committed to creating a diverse environment and proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Employee selection and related decisions are made without regard to gender, race, age, disability, religion, national origin, color, or any other protected class.

How to apply

• Interested applicants should apply via the following link, using a detailed Curriculum Vitae and an Application Letter (both in English): [email protected]. At least 2 reference contacts should be provided in the Application Letter.
• The closing date for application is 15 November, 2022. The recruitment process will start before the closing date, therefore early applications may have an advantage.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Organization: iDE
Location: Da Nang
Application deadline: 2022-11-15
Send application to: [email protected]