Private Sector Engagement (PSE) Lead (Open for Nepalese Nationals Only)

About iDE 

iDE is an international nonprofit organisation dedicated to ending poverty. Our work within agriculture, sanitation, climate change resilience, and gender equality stands out because we don’t simply provide handouts. Instead, iDE believes in powering small-scale entrepreneurs and building robust market ecosystems that lay the groundwork for low-income and marginalised people to prosper on their own terms. iDE currently works in 11 developing countries, with over 500 staff spread around the globe. To date, iDE has impacted more than 40 million people. 

Since 1992, iDE Nepal has been actively fostering prosperity by establishing value chains and innovative business models in key sectors, including agriculture, nutrition, market systems development, water and sanitation, climate resilience, and gender equality. Our approach aims to catalyse the development of beneficial, cost-effective products and services that contribute to sustainable growth and enhanced well-being. Our long-standing presence in Nepal is a testimony to adaptive learning, continual innovation, and commitment to delivering meaningful impact. iDE Nepal’s holistic approach to market development is what truly sets us apart. 

iDE Nepal is currently seeking a Private Sector Engagement (PSE) Lead to join our Programs Unit. The Private Sector Engagement (PSE) Lead is a senior strategic position responsible for leading iDE Nepal’s private sector engagement agenda to lead inclusive market systems and drive sustainable, market-based solutions across key sectors, including agriculture, WASH, nutrition, and climate resilience.

Overall Responsibilities 

The position will be responsible for leading the design of commercially viable, impact-driven partnerships, including co-investment and blended finance models, and ensuring private sector collaboration is embedded across program design and implementation. Working closely with the Climate and Nutrition Lead, the PSE Lead mobilizes private capital and expands access to nutrient-dense foods, climate-smart technologies, financial services, and resilient livelihood opportunities, while positioning iDE Nepal as a leader in inclusive market development. The position also represents iDE Nepal externally, strengthening strategic alliances and positioning the organization as a leader in inclusive and climate-smart market development.

The potential candidate must embrace and embody our organization's values and market-based approaches, as we pride ourselves on designing bespoke innovative solutions in sectors such as nutrition, climate resilience, agriculture, and WASH.

The key responsibilities of the Private Sector Engagement (PSE) Lead will include the following:

Key Roles and Responsibilities

• Lead the development, operationalization, and continuous refinement of iDE Nepal’s PSE strategies, ensuring alignment with the organization’s overall strategy, program portfolio, and relevant national and international policies and frameworks.
• Develop position papers for iDE Nepal on PSE, drawing on the organization’s institutional legacy, flagship interventions, and demonstrated successes
• Provide strategic leadership to ensure private sector engagement is embedded across all relevant programs and thematic areas.
• Position iDE Nepal as a facilitator of inclusive market systems by identifying strategic opportunities for private sector engagement, investment, and systems change.
• Identify and pursue strategic business development opportunities and lead the preparation and submission of high-quality, competitive proposals.
• Collaborate with thematic and program leads to integrate private sector and market systems perspective into project design and implementation 
• Design and pilot innovative partnership models that expand access to nutrient-rich foods, climate-smart agricultural technologies, resilient supply chains, and inclusive finance.
• Provide high-level guidance to Field/Regional coordinators to ensure effective program implementation, incorporating market-based approaches and ensuring compliance with donor standards.
• Oversee project budgets for efficient use of resources, value-for-money, and compliance with donor and organizational requirements.
• Lead the development of Detailed Implementation Plans (DIP) and Implementation Guidelines (DIG) to ensure effective and consistent project delivery.
• Develop and institutionalize private sector engagement tools, partnership frameworks, and  implementation guidelines to support consistent program delivery
• Collaborate with the MERL team to track and report key indicators, including: Private capital mobilized; Market system changes; Access to nutrient-dense foods 
• Lead the documentation and dissemination of scalable, inclusive business models and partnership results through case studies, learning briefs, white papers, and learning events.
• Strengthen staff capacity in market systems development, private sector facilitation, and blended finance through training, mentoring, and technical support.
• Facilitate cross-program learning sessions to promote entrepreneurial thinking and market-based approaches across the organization.

Other Responsibilities

• Represent and position iDE Nepal in key private sector forums, investment, and policy forums to strengthen its leadership in inclusive market systems and responsible private sector engagement.
• Build and maintain strategic alliances with agribusinesses, financial institutions, technology providers, investors, and government actors
• Advocate for market-based solutions that integrate nutrition and climate resilience objectives.

Skills and Experience

Candidates are expected to have the following qualifications, skills, and experience.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Academic qualification preferably in  Business Administration, Economics, Agribusiness, or Finance. Master’s Degree with 8 years’ experience at the Manager/Coordinator level or Bachelor's Degree with 11 years’ experience with extensive knowledge of managing program portfolios.

Work Experience:

• Relevant professional experience in private sector development, market systems development, inclusive business, or agricultural value chains, with significant exposure to working directly with private sector actors.
• Proven experience in structuring partnerships with agribusinesses and financial institutions.
• Experience leveraging private investment or blended finance mechanisms.
• Familiarity with nutrition-sensitive agriculture and climate-resilient market systems is highly desirable.

Core Skills :

• Strong verbal and written communication skills; Demonstrated ability to convey messages through clear and concise writing;
• Ability to work with various national and international team members and flexibility to adapt to different work conditions; and
• Demonstrate critical thinking skills,  have a very high level of personal and professional integrity and trustworthiness;
• Demonstrate a strong work ethic and require minimal direction, work well independently as well as part of a team;
• Thrive in a fast-paced and fun environment, with good communication, coordination, collaboration, and influencing.

Ability and Mindset :

• Ability to travel to the field as needed to engage with various stakeholders, partners, and field staff; 
• Capable of working under pressure in a fast-paced environment;
• Flexible and adaptable approach to shifting patterns and hours of work, ability to work flexible hours from time to time;
• A 'can-do' attitude and resilient character with the ability to manage expectations;
• Flexibility and independence to work in a changing environment; and
• Ability to work independently.

As per the iDE norms,

HOW TO APPLY: Interested and qualifying applicants can submit their application Letter and CV in English, with both phone and email contact details of at least 3 professional references, to the following by April 26, 2026.

iDE Nepal is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and Women and Members of Disadvantaged Caste, Ethnic and Religious

Groups are Strongly Encouraged to Apply.