Industry perspectives on the impact of restrictive criteria in senior leader job descriptions for market systems development programs

In the international development industry, the stakes are high and contractors and NGOs alike do not have an incentive to play outside of the boundaries prescribed by donors like USAID through the solicitation process. 

This study looks at the inclusivity of senior leader job descriptions in USAID tender documents. It explores the perspectives of experienced recruiters and programme managers who work with medium and large contractors and international NGOs on the unintended impact of key personnel criteria with respect to the diversity of candidates they put forward for senior leader positions. It builds on earlier research by The Canopy Lab.