Livelihoods & Local Economic Development Specialist

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Job Title: Livelihoods & Local Economic Development Specialist

Duty Station: Lalitpur, with approximately 50% field travel to project municipalities in Sindhuli, Khotang, Sunsari, Saptari, and Udaypur, especially rural and marginalized communities.

Reports To: Sr. Program Manager

Grade & Band: 6-2/3

About dZi Foundation

dZi Foundation is a US-based non-profit organization dedicated to working with rural communities in Nepal to achieve prosperity by removing barriers to basic needs, fostering sustainable livelihood opportunities, and enhancing local capacity to drive transformational change. Our current strategic plan adapts to evolving policy and development landscapes, sharpening our focus on partnerships, local ownership, and long-term sustainability beyond external investments.

Position Summary

The Livelihoods & Local Economic Development Specialist (LLEDS) will serve as the primary technical lead for designing, rolling out, and adapting dZi’s livelihoods, micro enterprise, and market/LED components in the Koshi River Basin. The role ensures that project interventions effectively increase and diversify household incomes, create dignified jobs, and strengthen inclusive local economies, with a particular focus on poor and marginalized households, women, and youth.

The Specialist will translate market and value chain analysis into practical support for at least 240 micro enterprises and 5–6 market/facility centers, while embedding climate and disaster resilience into all livelihood options. The position requires close collaboration with partner NGOs, municipalities, provincial and federal stakeholders, and private sector and financial actors so that economic gains are scalable, sustainable, and aligned with government LED priorities.

Key Responsibilities

1. Technical design and rollout of livelihoods and LED components

• Lead the design of ISPKN’s livelihoods and LED framework, ensuring coherence with project objectives, the logframe (income, micro enterprise, and market center targets), and relevant national and local policies and plans.
• Conduct or oversee market and value chain assessments in target municipalities to identify promising, climate smart livelihood and enterprise opportunities (e.g., agriculture, services, eco tourism, waste and recycling, local processing).
• Develop practical tools, selection criteria, and standard operating procedures for micro enterprise identification, business planning, mentoring, and performance tracking.
• Ensure that all designs integrate gender equality, social inclusion, and meaningful participation of poor and marginalized groups.

2. Micro enterprise development and market systems strengthening

• Provide hands-on technical guidance to partners and municipalities to support the establishment and growth of at least 240 micro enterprises and related producer/entrepreneur groups.
• Support the setup and strengthening of 5- 6 municipal market/facility centers or platforms, including business models, governance arrangements, service packages, and sustainability strategies.
• Facilitate linkages between entrepreneurs and microfinance institutions, cooperatives, and other financial service providers; contribute to design of financial literacy and enterprise finance coaching modules.
• Identify potential for product branding, value addition, and market contracts; support preparation and negotiation of at least 6 branded products/market contracts in collaboration with producer groups and buyers.

3. Capacity building, mentoring, and backstopping

• Design and deliver tailored training packages for partner NGO staff, municipal officials, and community groups on livelihoods promotion, LED, value chain approaches, business planning, and inclusive enterprise support.
• Provide ongoing coaching and accompaniment during field visits, helping teams troubleshoot underperforming enterprises, refine support packages, and apply market and risk information to day to day decisions.
• Contribute to strengthening municipal LED plans (at least 6) so that targets and budgets for poor and marginalized entrepreneurs, market infrastructure, and climate resilient livelihoods are clearly integrated.

4. Results management, learning, and collaboration

• Work closely with impact & equity (I&E), finance, and project management teams to define and track key economic indicators (income change, employment, diversification, enterprise survival, market access) and use data for adaptive management.
• Document innovations, successful models, and policy relevant lessons for case studies, technical briefs, and learning events with government and development partners.
• Contribute to donor reports, annual work planning, and strategic reviews by providing high quality technical inputs and analysis on livelihoods and LED results.
• Coordinate with other development projects, private sector associations, and financial institutions to leverage co funding, avoid duplication, and promote replication of successful approaches.

5. Climate and disaster resilience integration

• Ensure that all livelihoods and enterprise interventions are aligned with local disaster and climate resilience plans (LDCRPs) and early warning systems promoted under the project.
• Work with DRR/Climate focal persons and municipalities to identify climate and hazard risks for key value chains and enterprises, and integrate risk reduction and adaptation measures (e.g., climate smart farming, diversified markets, insurance linkages).

Qualifications and Experience

Education:

• Master’s degree (preferred) or Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Agricultural Economics, Rural Development, Business Management, Development Studies, or a closely related field.

Work Experience:

• Minimum 5+ years (Master’s) or 7+ years (Bachelor’s) of progressively responsible experience in rural livelihoods, micro enterprise or SME development, value chain promotion, or local economic development in Nepal.
• Proven track record in designing and implementing livelihood/enterprise programs that have increased income and/or employment for poor and marginalized households.
• Experience working with municipalities or local governments on LED planning, cooperative or market center development-  type programs is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated experience providing technical support and capacity development to NGOs, local governments, and community based organizations.

Skills & Abilities:

• Strong understanding of inclusive market systems, value chain approaches, microfinance/ financial inclusion, and climate resilient livelihood options relevant to hill and Tarai contexts.
• Ability to translate economic and market analysis into practical tools and field friendly guidance.
• Strong facilitation, coaching, and training skills for diverse stakeholders, including grassroots entrepreneurs and municipal officials.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Nepali.
• Proficiency in MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint); familiarity with basic data analysis tools and digital collaboration platforms.

Physical Requirements:

• Extended periods of computer based work at the central office.
• Willingness and ability to travel approximately 60- 70% of working time to remote field locations in all six target districts, including overnight stays and travel in challenging terrain and weather conditions.

Core Competencies

• Strategic thinker with strong orientation toward practical, market driven, and evidence based solutions.
• Commitment to inclusive development, with demonstrated sensitivity to the needs and priorities of women, youth, and marginalized groups.
• Strong interpersonal and cross cultural collaboration skills; ability to build trust with partners, government officials, private sector actors, and community members.
• Highly organized, detail oriented, and able to manage multiple workstreams and deadlines.
• Commitment to ethical practice, transparency, and community driven, locally led development.

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit:

• A detailed CV highlighting relevant livelihoods, enterprise, and LED experience.
• A cover letter explaining suitability for the position, including concrete examples of successful livelihood/enterprise programming.
• Contact details for 2- 3 professional references.
• Expected salary range.

Please send applications to vacancy.np@dzi.org with the subject line: Application for LLEDS by January 25, 2026. Applicants should also complete the online application form via the Google link.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Canvassing will result in disqualification. dZi reserves the right to accept or reject applications without assigning reasons.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: dZi Foundation Nepal is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from women, people from marginalized groups, and bilingual/bicultural individuals. Applicants shall not be discriminated against due to caste, religion, gender, ethnicity, age, disability, political affiliation, marital status, or sexual orientation.