Job Title: Manager, Market Systems
Development
Department/Group: Implementation
Reporting To: Head of Technical Team and
Special Projects Years of Experience 10+ Years of
Experience
Location: Mbarara, Uganda Travel Required: 80%
Job description
About Raising The Village
At Raising The Village (RTV), we are dedicated to eradicating ultra-poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa.
As a dynamic, rapidly growing international development organization, we’ve assembled a team of
over 350+ passionate individuals in Uganda, Rwanda and DRC, alongside an additional 10+
professionals in North America. Together, we are committed to elevating communities out of ultrapoverty by implementing innovative solutions and leveraging advanced data analytics to drive
impact.
To date, our holistic approach has positively impacted over 1,000,000 lives since 2012, and we’re
poised to achieve even greater milestones, aiming to assist 1 million individuals annually by 2027.
Our growth and success are fuelled by the invaluable support of global partners who share our
vision of sustainable change. Learn more about our impactful programs at
www.raisingthevillage.org
Role Description
Are you passionate about transforming Uganda’s agri-business sector? As Manager, Market
Systems Development, you will drive sustainable market solutions that enhance livelihoods and
strengthen rural economies. You will collaborate with key technical and coordination teams,
ensuring effective implementation of our program roadmap and supporting the growth of our
agricultural value chains.
This pivotal role requires an innovative leader with a deep understanding of Uganda’s agribusiness landscape, monetization strategies, value-chain development, and financial inclusion,
especially the VSLA model. Working closely with the Implementation, Agricultural, Applied
Learning, Planning, and VENN teams, you will design and execute high-impact initiatives that
empower smallholder farmers, producer groups, and local entrepreneurs.
We are looking for a strategic thinker with strong networking skills, technical expertise, and the
ability to integrate program functions into a cohesive growth strategy. If you thrive in fast-paced,
dynamic environments and love driving teamwork, this role is for you.
Key Responsibilities
Market Assessments & Program Strategy
• Lead community vulnerability assessments to identify economic opportunities and
barriers.
• Conduct value-chain analysis to map out inclusive market interventions.
• Develop strategic guidelines for selecting suitable program participants, ensuring
transparent and effective community engagement.
Financial Inclusion & Group Strengthening
• Facilitate the formation, governance, and strategic direction of Village Savings and Loan
Associations (VSLAs).
• Strengthen financial literacy and support village champions and peer facilitators to ensure
sustainability.
• Align VSLA activities with long-term program sustainability objectives, ensuring youth and
gender inclusivity.
Digital Integration & Financial Services Linkages
• Support the integration of digital financial tools, ensuring accessibility and effective
usage.
• Build partnerships with SACCOs, MFIs, and banks to enhance community access to
financial services.
• Provide technical oversight on digital solutions, training, and troubleshooting.
Market Systems & Livelihood Diversification
• Develop market linkages between RTV community partners, farmers, input suppliers,
and buyers.
• Identify and facilitate demand-driven vocational training for youth and women.
• Promote climate-resilient agriculture and agro-processing best practices in all economic
interventions.
Capacity Building & Technical Leadership
• Mentor RTV staff and partners in financial literacy, governance, and agribusiness strategies.
• Support frontline teams in developing structured work plans and implementation timelines.
• Facilitate training for VSLA members in life skills, risk management, and financial
planning.
• Oversee performance tracking, coaching, and evaluation of village agents and community
facilitators.
Monitoring, Learning & Reporting
• Establish remote monitoring systems for tracking VSLA functionality and economic
outcomes.
• Compile qualitative and quantitative reports, highlighting impact, success stories, and
lessons learned.
• Lead community-driven evaluation processes to foster ownership and adaptive learning.
Partnership Development & Accountability
• Engage local authorities, government offices, and community members throughout
program implementation.
• Uphold principles of gender equity, youth inclusion, and conflict-sensitive
programming.
• Ensure procurement and distribution of essential tools for financial inclusion and
market development.
• Maintain high standards of compliance, transparency, and program quality across all
projects.
Required Skills and Expertise
• Master’s degree in Agricultural Economics, Development Studies, Business
Administration, Finance, or related field; or a Bachelor’s degree with 8+ years of
relevant experience.
• Proven experience (minimum 5 years) in implementing financial inclusion and market
system development projects in rural/subsistence-agriculture contexts.
• Strong background in organizing and supporting VSLAs and linking them to formal
financial systems.
• Demonstrated capacity in market analysis, value chain assessments, and development
of inclusive economic strategies.
• Experience in designing and conducting participatory community
assessments and in leading large-scale group trainings.
• Familiarity with digital tools and applications used in financial inclusion and rural
savings mechanisms.
• Effective communicator with strong facilitation, mentorship, and report writing skills.
• Willingness to travel locally in areas of operations as needed. Regular travel is required,
including field visits to program sites across Uganda, ensuring close alignment and
support for on-ground operations.
Raising The Village is committed to Equity and Inclusion in the workplace and is proud to be an
equal opportunity employer.