Reporting to the Country Fund Portfolio Manager, and working cohesively with the SHF team, external stakeholders and third-party service providers, the Country Markets Specialist will support the advancement of SHFs contribution to the sustainable growth of inclusive sanitation economies and the menstrual hygiene marketplace. The postholder will help SHF to deepen its understanding of and position towards sanitation economy and the market for menstrual products in priority countries.
Through this work, SHF will support its stakeholders, including governments, financing institutions and investors, to make data driven decisions that will reform and accelerate markets to improve the delivery of safely managed sanitation and menstrual products to the Base of the Pyramid (BoP).
Functional Responsibilities
Country engagement
Market Landscape Assessment:
Support the design and implementation of comprehensive assessments of the off-grid/onsite sanitation economy and menstrual hygiene marketplace in low and middle-income countries in Africa;
Assist the process analyzing market dynamics, including trends, challenges, and opportunities; and
Assist the analysis the governance & regulatory landscape, and its interactions with the market; and identify key players, stakeholders, and influencers within these markets.
Stakeholder Engagement:
Collaborate closely with SHF technical staff, government agencies, the private sector/SMEs, financing institutions, NGOs, and other relevant stakeholders to further roll-out and enhance the effectiveness of the SHF business model
Act as an interlocutor between different stakeholders to facilitate communication and collaboration, identifying challenges and opportunities.
Assist to ensure the opportunities and constraints of a country context are understood across SHF and reflected in its approach and implementation
Market Shaping Strategies:
With key stakeholders and based on a comprehensive understanding of the country context from the market assessments, develop market shaping strategies – a set of targeted interventions that address barriers to market development and that leverages opportunities
Link country specific gaps & opportunities to innovative approaches to stimulate sustainable growth in inclusive sanitation economies and the menstrual hygiene marketplace
Support SHF’s market shaping and development approaches to sanitation, hygiene and Menstrual Health and Hygiene products and services – including contributing to the development of strategic and analytical frameworks – to analyze bottlenecks to uptake; structure innovative financing options; fostering supply and demand; pricing structures and models; innovative product introduction/scale up strategies and maximize efficiency in product development, manufacturing; sustainable procurement and supply chain practices.
Support business development efforts (in collaboration with SHF technical market specialists) to mobilize resources to finance new opportunities
Private sector & pipeline development:
Engage with a variety of private sector actors and platforms, including SMEs in sanitation, women’s health and menstrual health and hygiene to understand barriers to market entry, products, innovations and opportunities
In collaboration with the SHF country team, identify, research, meet with and track potential investable propositions on an ongoing basis. This will contribute to developing a pipeline of investable propositions within the identified markets; and identify projects and initiatives (for example, incubators) that align with SHF’s objectives and funding priorities.
Funding and Catalytic Financing:
Working with SHF colleagues, assist in evaluating the potential impact and feasibility of proposed projects, and shape and provide recommendations for SHF funding based on analysis of enterprises, infra projects including with utilities, incubation & acceleration programmes, financing facilities/loan programmes with local FIs, municipal financing capability, blended impact funds etc.
Contribute to comprehensive engagement with opportunities across the value chain in an industry, capturing market potential and maturity, analyses of the regulatory environment or the development and continuous updating of a pipeline of investable opportunities.
Monitoring, Risk and Reporting
Ensure that country contexts are integrated into SHF’s broader processes; and collaborate with other SHF teams to align application of the business model
Assist SHF in further developing and fine-tuning its business model and application if different country contexts, both current in country engagements and for expansion to new priority countries.
Support in the drafting of work packages, ToRs and other related contracting of third-party support for the execution of activities needed to take place at country level; and support management contracts to ensure timely and efficient delivery and outcomes
Working with the Impact Measurement Advisor and technical staff to track the progress and impact of market shaping initiatives, including related to market maturity; and support regular reporting on key performance indicators and collaborate to adjust country engagement strategies as needed.
Work in tandem with the Country Fund Portfolio Manager to contribute to risk management related to market shaping activities and propose mitigation strategies and ensure clear communication accordingly.
Working collaboratively, maintain detailed records of country market assessments, strategies, and project developments, updating these regularly; and prepare reports and other documents for SHF management and stakeholders.
Capacity Strengthening and Partnerships:
Work in tandem with the Country Fund Portfolio Manager, to support technical advice to government agencies and other stakeholders based on market insights and assessments and advocate for interventions related to market-based inclusive sanitation and menstrual hygiene.
Contribute to capacity-building to local organizations and partners involved in market shaping and market building activities; and foster knowledge transfer and skill development.
Identify, establish and maintain partnerships to leverage resources and expertise for market shaping efforts
Knowledge, Innovation and Research
Share insights and best practices related to market shaping in sanitation and menstrual hygiene with SHF teams and external partners; and contribute to knowledge sharing events, workshops, and publications
Stay updated on emerging trends and innovations in the sanitation economy and menstrual hygiene marketplace; and with colleagues identify areas for research to inform market shaping strategies.
Impact of Results
The role will make a significant impact on improving sanitation and menstrual health and hygiene access for underserved populations through the advancement and growth of the sanitation economy and menstrual hygiene marketplace.
Education/Experience/Language requirements
Education:
A Master’s degree in finance, marketing, business administration, economics, international development or another relevant social science discipline with a quantitative orientation is required.
A bachelor’s degree in finance, economics, business administration, marketing, international development, or another relevant social science discipline with a combination of two additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the master’s degree.
Experience:
Minimum 5 years experience required of relevant professional and technical experience in market development in the context of emerging markets/low and middle income countries.
Experince working for a DFI, NDB, impact investor or SME in low and middle income countries is desirable.
Sanitation economy and /or menstrual hygiene marketplace knowledge is desirable
Demonstrated knowledge of women’s empowerment, gender, climate and/or innovative financing is desirable.
Experience working in a UN agency in either urban or rural development is desirable.
Language Requirements:
Fluency in English is essential including excellent writing skills.
Fluency in French is desirable.
Competencies
Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.
Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.
Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.
Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).
Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.
Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.
Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.
Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.
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