Advisor Inclusive Economic Development in Latin America

What You'll Do:

• Strategy and Implementation: Design and implement strategies to address systemic problems in trade and entrepreneurship across Latin America. You’ll work both internally with Swisscontact teams and externally with clients like donors, foundations and development 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, implementing agencies and private sector clients, across multiple countries and sectors.
• Collaborate with Experts: You’ll be part of a team of global specialists in inclusive economic 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 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 Latin America.
• 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 Diplomatic Communicator: You can translate complex ideas into actionable advice for different audiences, from project teams to 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 and Spanish is a must.
• Willingness to Travel: This role requires frequent travel across Latin America 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 7th March 2025. Please apply exclusively via the online application portal. For further information please visit www.swisscontact.org

Swisscontact - Fondation suisse pour la coopération technique

Swisscontact est une organisation de développement indépendante à but non lucratif créée en 1959 par des représentants du secteur privé et de la société civile suisse.

Notre travail vise à libérer le potentiel des initiatives privées dans les économies en développement et émergentes. Nous favorisons un développement économique durable et inclusif dans le but d’améliorer la qualité de vie de tous.

Notre travail repose sur trois piliers fondamentaux : Nous renforçons les compétences des individus afin qu’ils puissent améliorer leurs revenus et leurs possibilités d’emploi ; nous améliorons la compétitivité des entreprises afin de les aider à se développer et à devenir plus résistantes ; nous promouvons des systèmes socio-économiques qui favorisent un développement durable pour une prospérité généralisée.

L'organisation est actuellement active dans plus de 130 projets dans 41 pays avec environ 1400 employés. Le siège se trouve à Zurich, en Suisse.