Marcus Jenal

Born 1980. Diploma (MSc) in Environmental Sciences from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) in Zurich, 2007.

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Marcus’s key competences:

Systemic, interdisciplinary development: Ten years of experience in interdisciplinary, systemic development. Ability to conceptualize, implement, monitor, and evaluate systemic development programs in complex contexts at the interplay of the social, economic, and environmental spheres. Strong focus on achieving and assessing systemic change.

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Market and enterprise development approaches: Systemic Insight, Innovation Systems, Making Markets Work for the Poor (M4P), Value Chain Development (VCD), Local/Territorial Economic Development (LED/TED). 

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Narrative approaches to monitoring and research: Application of narrative research projects using Cognitive Edge’s SenseMaker® approach in various contexts. In particular, use of narrative research and SenseMaker® to assess changes in knowledge, attitudes and behaviour.

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Experience

Since 2015: Partner of Mesopartner
2014-2017: Lead, monitoring, impact evaluation and evidence, the BEAM Exchange
2011-present: Member of the backstopping team for the employment and income network of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)
2011-2015: Independent consultant in market systems development and systemic approaches
2009-2011: Programme officer at Intercooperation (now HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation), Bangladesh
2012-2015: Mesopartner Associate
2015-2022: Mesopartner Partner
2023-current: Foundation Botnar as the Strategic Learning & Evaluation Lead

It is Marcus’ goal to bring systemic approaches to international development. He wants to contribute to the development of healthy systems, where poverty reduction is part of the economy and society.

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Main field of expertise

• Continuous exploration and learning in teams and organisations

• Adaptive decision-making under conditions of uncertainty

• Monitoring and evaluation of systemic change initiatives

• Narrative and participatory sensemaking

• Market Systems Development

• Knowledge network and community of practice facilitation