Country: Kazakhstan
Closing date: 25 Feb 2020
SCOPE OF WORK
Technical Activities Lead for Kazakhstan & Central Asia
Background
DAI works at the cutting edge of international development, combining technical excellence, professional project management, and exceptional customer service to solve our clients’ most complex problems. Since 1970, DAI has worked in 150 developing and transition countries, providing comprehensive development solutions in areas including crisis mitigation and stability operations, democratic governance and public sector management, agriculture and agribusiness, private sector development and financial services, economics and trade, HIV/AIDS, avian influenza control, water and natural resources management, and energy and climate change. Clients include international development agencies, international lending institutions, private corporations and philanthropies, and host-country governments.
USAID Competitiveness, Trade and Jobs in Central Asia project (CTJ) is a five year activity that contributes to USAID’s goal of enhanced regional cooperation and broad-based prosperity in the Central Asian Republics.
CTJ works across three primary sectors: 1.horticulture; 2. transport and logistics; and 3. tourism to help incentivize private-sector firms to become more competitive and encourage public sector institutions to harmonize rules and regulations governing cross-border trade. The Activity is being implemented in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
Position Overview
CTJ is seeking a full-time Technical Activities lead who will be based in its Almaty Office. The successful candidate will start their employment as soon as possible. Given the approximately two years remaining of CTJ project life, the position will terminate on or before September 30, 2021.
Essential Duties
Under the direction of the Chief of party and the Market Systems Advisor, the Technical Activities Lead is responsible for technical and operational management of technical activities planned to be implemented in Kazakhstan, including developing yearly work plans, budgeting of activities, performance monitoring and reporting.
To perform these functions, the Technical Activities Lead will understand the principles and regulations established by DAI and USAID for program and activity management, including planning, budgeting, performance-based activity design and evaluation.
General Technical Functions
As part of the technical team, the Technical Activities Lead will actively:
Design activities within the framework of the regional and Kazakhstan country program strategy and resource allocations, including cost estimates and procurement plans.
Draft documents required for activity approval (e.g. concept notes, scopes of work, estimate budgets, etc.).
Monitor/document program performance management in accordance with approved Performance Monitoring and Evaluation Plan.
Collaborate with all country directors and other technical staff in other offices on implementation of project/program activities; ensure coordination of activities across the five countries; ensure effective regional coordination among Almaty-based head office and other Countries’ Teams.
Provide substantial technical input to the COP and DCOP for the preparation of the annual Technical Work Plan, Annual Report and other program documents.
Develop working relationships with key Central Asian stakeholders, most notably private sector actors, workforce development service providers, government officials, and representatives from USAID’s bilateral programs.
Identify and develop effective partnerships with donor, government and non-government organizations to contribute to the funding and implementation of the country plan.
Assist with preparations for the Central Asia Trade Forum (CATF) and other regional events by communicating with potential stakeholders (e.g. donors, speakers, exhibitors, attendees) regarding their roles / responsibilities and providing COP and DCOP w/ status updates and guidance.
Assist COP, DCOP and Market Systems Advisor with overall Activity implementation.
Work with the CTJ Environmental Advisor to ensure all USAID environmental clearances are achieved
Work with the Global Cold Chain Alliance and the Market Systems Advisor and relevant CTJ staff to ensure coordination between cold chain and horticulture activities.
Coordinate with the CTJ C5+1 Lead to select and conduct trade missions and participants for inclusion in regional and international horticulture trade fairs. Ensure appropriate participant preparation and post-event follow-up and result collection.
Work with GlobalGAP and other horticulture-related quality standard organizations to ensure appropriate awareness and, in certain cases, grower or processor certification.
Desired Qualifications
An ideal candidate for this assignment should have the following experience:
- Advanced academic degree in Economics at Master’s level coupled with significant practical experience in sectors aligned with CTJ area
- Experience in project design/management
- Practical experience designing and implementing agricultural projects is a plus
- Understanding of agricultural sector is desired but not necessary
- Fluency in Russian and English. Kazakh language is a plus
Reporting
Technical Activities Lead for Kazakhstan & Central Asia will report to the Chief of Party.
How to apply:
Please, send your CV to the CTJ_recruitment@dai.com
Deadline is February 25, 2020