Activity Background
The USAID Burma Responsible Investment and Trade Activity is a five-year (2020 – 2025) activity that will work with a broad range of international and domestic private sector firms and civil society actors to promote civilian ownership of the Myanmar economy by increasing the share held by responsible, accountable, and transparent firms. Through the Activity, USAID will increase trade and private sector investment. To attract and sustain investment and trade, the Activity is supporting firms operating in or entering the market in Myanmar to improve corporate governance, business transparency, and competitiveness.
DAI Organization and Values
DAI is a global development company with corporate offices in the United States, the United Kingdom, EU, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Palestine and project operations worldwide. We tackle fundamental social and economic development problems caused by inefficient markets, ineffective governance, and instability. DAI works on the frontlines of global development. Transforming ideas into action—action into impact. We are committed to shaping a more livable world.
DAI and its employees are committed to confronting racism and holding ourselves accountable for positive change within the company and in the communities, cultures, and countries in which we live and work. DAI is committed to attracting and retaining the best employees from all races and backgrounds in our continued effort to become a better development partner.
DAI upholds the highest ethical standards. We are committed to the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment as well as other ethical breaches. All our positions are therefore subject to stringent vetting and reference checks.
DAI is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer with a commitment to diversity. DAI does not discriminate in employment based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, parental status, veteran status, or other non-merit factor.
Job Title: Private Sector Manager
Project: USAID Responsible Investment and Trade Activity
Reports to: Private Sector Director
Location: Myanmar
Duration: Full-time one-year contract with possible yearly extensions through July 2025
Overview of the Position:
DAI seeks multiple highly organized and capable Private Sector Manager with excellent communication skills to lead and support a variety of tasks for its USAID Responsible Investment and Trade Activity (the Activity) in the areas of corporate governance, finance and control, corporate accountability through civil society and media, private sector advocacy, trade promotion and facilitation, and investment support across a variety of sectors and geographies in Myanmar. The Private Sector Manager should have an interest in and be willing to work across many functional areas and sectors. Sectors include agribusiness, renewable energy, textiles, financial services, aquaculture, and/or international trade. The Activity aims to promote private sector civilian ownership of the Myanmar economy by increasing the share held by responsible, accountable, and transparent firms. It engages international and domestic private sector firms and civil society actors across multiple sectors to facilitate investment, trade, and business partnerships, and strengthen regional economic integration, and improve business accountability, transparency, and competitiveness in Myanmar.
Based in Yangon, the Private Sector Manager will work within a team of approximately 28 professionals and will assist in or will lead in the following tasks within or across sectors.
Thematic Areas of Work:
While the Private Sector Manager will be expected to across all of the technical areas of the Activity (see below), given the fluid situation in Myanmar, the Activity anticipates the Private Sector Manager to devote the majority of their time to Thematic Areas 1 and 2 below.
Thematic Area 1: Responsible Investment Support
- Coordinate with potential investors and work with them to facilitate investment into Myanmar companies
- Support structuring and monitoring of transactions that bring new investment.
- Engage with business advisory service providers to provide support in identifying and developing investment strategies for local firms aligned with investors’ interests
Thematic Area 2: Trade Promotion and Facilitation
- Work with a wide range of private sector companies across a variety of sectors for their potential to increase their sales and/or exports
- Coordinate a wide range of support organizations (e.g. trade and growers association) across a variety of sectors for their potential to contribute towards increasing their members’ sales and/or exports
- Monitor technical assistance to target firms to improve their access to markets and build their trade competitiveness.
Thematic Area 3: Private Sector Capacity Building
- Lead in building the capacity of businesses to improve corporate governance, comply with regulations, and access finance.
- Initiate and coordinate interactions with various stakeholders involved in business advisory services (e.g. accountants, lawyers, consultants, lenders, certification firms, etc.).
- Lead in designing workshops, tools, training, or other knowledge products geared towards improving the ability of business support organizations to advocate for trade and investment
- Lead in promoting corporate accountability by working with business journalists, business support organizations, civil society, and media.
General Project Management Support
- Manage and monitor project activities
- Develop detailed terms of reference, scopes of work, and budgets for consultants.
- Develop yearly work plans and quarterly/annual reports
- Supervise other Activity staff if required
- Conduct research in support of Activity’s work with conclusions and recommendations
- Maintain files and documentation for project activities.
- Other tasks as assigned.
Qualifications:
- BA/BS in Economics, Business or a related field or relevant experience; Advanced degree in business or economics highly preferred.
- At least five years of professional experience that demonstrates a working knowledge of any or all of the following technical areas: investment, finance and accounting, trade promotion and facilitation, corporate governance, corporate finance, business journalism, and project management.
- Management experience highly preferred.
- Private sector experience is highly preferred.
- Working knowledge of the private sector actors in Myanmar, including SMEs, investors, financial lenders, business advisory services, business support organizations, media, etc.
- Competent business analytical and research skills (primary and secondary research).
- Ability to work efficiently and deliver high-quality deliverables within the time allocated.
- Excellent interpersonal communication skills and public speaking ability.
- Excellent personal organizational and time management skills.
- Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
- English and Burmese fluency is required.
- Ability and interest to travel within Myanmar as required.
Level of Effort, Location, and Reporting
The level of effort is 260 days per year. The employment contract will be on a yearly basis, with possible extensions until the close of the project. The position will report to the Private Sector Director. The position is based in Yangon.
How to apply:
Application Instructions
Applicants should apply via the link below as soon as possible as interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis. Due to the volume of applications that we receive and the urgency to fill the position, only shortlisted applicants will receive notifications on the next steps.
Please apply here: