Technical Adviser - Market based Programing

The Technical Adviser provides strategic and technical guidance to strengthen inclusive, market-based and livelihood approaches across Save the Children in Vietnam. The role advances market-based programming as a key pillar for reducing child poverty, enhancing livelihood resilience, and ensuring sustainability, aligned with the Country Strategic Plan and evolving contexts such as climate change, digital transformation, and donor priorities.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and refinement of the market‑based programming technical approach, aligned with CSP priorities.
• Translate child poverty and livelihoods strategy into practical, implementable MBP designs.
• Ensure integration of climate resilience, gender equality, inclusion, and safeguarding into MBP designs.
• Provide strategic advice on where MBP is appropriate and where it is not, based on evidence and feasibility.
• Position Save the Children as a thought leader in market-based programming for vulnerable children and youth within Vietnam and the region.
• Provide technical leadership in designing high-quality programs incorporating market-based solutions including sustainable and inclusive value chain development, youth employment and entrepreneurship, financial inclusion and access to services, climate-smart livelihoods.
• Support technical advisors across sectors to embed market-based approaches into traditional programming (education, health, child protection, CRG, climate).
• Develop tools, frameworks, and guidance for implementing market-based programming.
• Ensure all programs are child-focused, inclusive, and aligned with safeguarding and equity principles.
• Lead the development of high-quality concept notes and proposals on market-based programming and integrated approaches.
• Work in close collaboration with the Program Development Manager to mobilize a minimum of USD 5 million annually through strategic fundraising efforts.
• Identify and pursue funding opportunities from institutional donors, private sector, foundations, and innovative finance mechanisms.
• Collaborate with Business Development, Finance, and Technical teams to ensure strong, competitive proposals.
• Contribute to capture planning, pre-positioning, and donor engagement strategies.
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with government agencies, private sector companies and industry associations, financial institutions and impact investors, NGOs and development partners.
• Facilitate multi-stakeholder collaboration to scale market-based solutions.
• Represent Save the Children in external forums, networks, and technical working groups.
• Strengthen linkages with regional and global initiatives on market-based programming and innovative finance.
• Lead the exploration and application of innovative financing models, including blended finance, results-based financing, and impact investment.
• Identify opportunities to leverage private capital for social impact.
• Integrate digital solutions and platforms into livelihood and economic programs.
• Pilot and scale innovative approaches to enhance program sustainability and impact.
• Build capacity of Save the Children staff and partners on market-based programming approaches.
• Provide coaching and mentoring to technical teams and project staff.
• Capture and disseminate learning, best practices, and evidence.
• Contribute to organizational knowledge and influence internal and external learning agendas.

Requirements

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Economics, Development Studies, Business Administration, International Development, or a related field
• Minimum 5 years of experience in international development, with strong expertise in market-based programming, livelihoods, or economic development for vulnerable groups and/or difficult areas.
• Proven experience in designing and implementing market systems development (MSD) or similar approaches.
• Demonstrated track record of successful proposal development and fundraising, including securing multi-million USD grants.
• Experience working with institutional donors (e.g., World Bank, ADB, EU, GCF, FCDO, DFAT and other bilateral agencies) and private sector partners.
• Experience integrating cross-cutting themes such as climate change, gender equality, and digital innovation.
• Experience working in multi-cultural and cross-functional environments.
• Strong ability to develop long-term strategies and translate them into actionable programs.
• Ability to identify emerging trends and position programs accordingly.
• Deep understanding of market systems, value chains, and private sector engagement.
• Knowledge of innovative finance and blended finance mechanisms is a strong asset.
• Excellent proposal writing and communication skills.
• Strong ability to develop winning bids and donor engagement strategies.
• Strong relationship-building and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to influence and negotiate with diverse partners.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex data and systems.
• Ability to design innovative and practical solutions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Vietnamese.
• Passion for improving the lives of children and vulnerable communities.
• High level of integrity, accountability, and professionalism.
• Self-driven, adaptable, and able to work under pressure.

Skills

• Market-Based Programming
• Livelihood Development
• Economic Development
• Market Systems Development
• Proposal Development
• Fundraising
• Donor Engagement Strategies
• Institutional Donor Relations
• Private Sector Engagement
• Cross-cutting integration
• Climate Change Adaptation
• Gender Equality Programming
• Digital Innovation
• Strategic Planning
• Trend Identification
• Value Chain Analysis
• Innovative Financing
• Blended Finance Structuring
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Negotiation Skills
• Data Interpretation
• Solution Design
• Written Communication
• Verbal Communication

Languages

English, Vietnamese