Kenya: VALUE CHAIN DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST

Background:

The USAID East Africa Trade and Investment Hub (the Hub) boosts trade and investment with and within Africa. The Hub partners with East African and U.S. businesses to attract investment needed to transform the East African private sector into vibrant global trading partners. Improving the region’s trade competitiveness, encouraging the diversification of exports beyond natural resources, and promoting broader, more-inclusive economic growth will lead to more food secure and resilient East African communities.

The goal of the Hub is to deepen regional integration, increase the competitiveness of select regional agricultural value chains, promote two-way trade with the U.S. under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and facilitate investment and technology to drive trade growth intra-regionally and to global markets.

Objectives and Duties:

The Value Chain Development Specialist will design and lead the implementation of technical activities to promote the development of East African apparel, home décor/fashion accessories and footwear value chains to increase East African exports to the US under AGOA, including through regional sourcing and subcontracting. S/he will work with private sector groups and associations, government export promotion agencies, individual firms, and other stakeholders to identify end market opportunity, and build capacity to meet market demand. The position is based in Nairobi, Kenya with extensive regional travel.

The Value Chain development Specialist will be responsible for, but not limited to, the following detailed tasks:

· Lead market research and end market analyses for key sectors under AGOA including home décor/fashion accessories, apparel, and footwear

· Provide technical assistance to export focused firms to improve product offerings to meet international market demands

· Facilitate linkages between export focused firms and key buyers and other investors

· Provide supervision for subcontracts /grants under the Partnership Fund to increase value chain competitiveness through value addition and technology transfer

· Provide technical expertise and content on AGOA, its regulations and requirements to Hub staff and other stakeholders

Qualifications:

· Bachelor’s degree international trade, economics, public policy, engineering, technology, science, business administration, or related area;

· A Master’s degree in management, economics or business administration preferred.

· At least seven years of relevant experience in trade promotion and investment facilitation Africa.

· Demonstrated experience in export‐focused private sector development in the EAC region.

· Extensive experience in textile and apparel sector in the region, including established relationships with key international investors, trade and business associations, and buyers.

· Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with institutional and private sector partners and stakeholders in a multi-country setting.

· Excellent English writing and communication skills.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

· The Value Chain Development Specialist will have no supervisory responsibilities.

Base of Operations:

• Nairobi, Kenya

Reporting:

• The Value Chain Development Specialist will report to the Component 3 Lead: Director, Trade Promotion & AGOA.

Interested applicants should apply via the link https://daieatradehub.formstack.com/forms/value_chain_development_specialist_august_2017 by September 4, 2017, 5:00pm East Africa Local time. Only candidates who send their information via the link and by the deadline will be eligible.

Visit

http://www.eatradehub.org/call_for_applications_value_chain_development_specialist to view the scope of work and learn more about the Hub.