Background:
DAI - www.dai.com - a global development consulting firm implements the US Agency for International Development-funded East Africa Trade and Investment Hub. This project is designed to promote inclusive economic growth by strengthening the enabling environment and institutional partnerships for trade and investment in East Africa, particularly to and from the United States. The project will build upon prior investments to increase regional trade competitiveness and reduce poverty. Food insecurity and market failures are major issues that EATIH will address by supporting more competitive regional value chains for staple foods and more efficient markets and regional integration for trade and investment. Regional integration will be promoted through support for the EAC Secretariat and its five Partner States (Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda) to enact and implement regional agreements; and collaborate with the private sector, donors and the EAC to advocate and implement trade and investment policy, including a reduction in non-tariff barriers. EATIH will expand trade and investment through increased trade under the African Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA), increase intra-regional trade, particularly in agriculture, formalize linkages between U.S. and East African trade associations, and increase two-way trade with the U.S.
Objectives and Duties:
The Chief of Party (COP) will assume ultimate responsibility for achieving program results and reporting to USAID. He/She will be the primary contact between the EATIH project, USAID, other U.S. government agencies involved in Trade Africa, Kenyan officials, subcontractors, grantees, other key stakeholders to develop and implement program activities to promote critical trade negotiations and investment opportunities within the East Africa region. The COP will be responsible for articulating the vision of EATIH, engaging the client and regional stakeholders, technical leadership and in-country management of the project in achieving project results. The COP will meet frequently with the technical and operational team leaders and managers to discuss achievements, plans, and options for meeting project challenges that arise during implementation. S/he will directly supervise the Component Leaders, Deputy Chief of Party and Director of Communications and Knowledge Management.
The COP will be responsible for, but not limited to, the following detailed tasks:
- Provide overall leadership and direction of the East Africa Trade & Investment Hub project and have full corporate authority to make decisions;
- Serve as primary liaison between USAID, Kenyan officials, government counterparts and private sector and non-governmental stakeholders on program communications and technical implementation activities;
- Serve as primary liaison between field project staff, and DAI home office management, ensuring clear communications and consistent expectations across all parties;
- Manage, lead and oversee a team of expatriates and locals in achieving project results;
- Oversee activities that promote trade and investment in the East Africa region and selected countries, including Ethiopia, Seychelles, Madagascar and Mauritius, for relevant value chains such as garments and textiles;
- Oversee EATIH activities within the EAC member countries, including engagement with project stakeholders: USAID bilateral mission staff and other USG partners, EAC and other regional bodies, national government staff, business and trade associations, and private sector partners.
- Develop strategic partnerships with other USAID projects, stakeholders identified above and international organizations to achieve program objectives;
- Oversee development of public-private partnerships and other cross-sectoral relationships to encourage trade and investment and ensure sustainability beyond the program’s lifecycle;
- Ensure adherence to the subcontracting and grants management plans and overall contract compliance, reporting, security policies, and program results;
- Develop annual work plans, quarterly reviews, and updates, including technical programs with the technical managers in collaboration with USAID to achieve targets and objectives;
- Oversee the participatory planning process to produce a strategic plan for project deliverables;
- Direct overall technical strategy for integrating the project’s technical components and ensuring that all work plan benchmarks are met;
- Ensure that the communications strategy engages USAID and all stakeholders with timely, relevant information about trade and investment activities and opportunities; widely disseminates EATIH’s role and activities in support of the Trade Africa Initiative, and supports programs by engaging key stakeholders that own and drive the initiatives.
- Coordinate closely with related regional programs, including TradeMark East Africa, FoodTrade for East and Southern Africa, Africa Lead, and relevant bilateral programs in EAC countries.
- Oversee implementation of Monitoring and Evaluation Plan.
- Provide timely reporting to USAID.
Qualifications:
- Minimum Master’s degree required, Ph. D. preferred in economics, international trade, trade policy, investment or finance, business administration, international relations or related area or equivalent is strongly preferred.
- At least ten years of relevant experience, eight of which shall be in developing countries preferably in East Africa, with experience in managing and implementing USAID projects and, preferably Feed the Future Programs.
- At least five years of managing and coordinating complex development programs in Africa
- Prior experience as a Chief of Party or significant management responsibilities for a program of comparable complexity.
- Demonstrated experience working with senior-level host-country counterparts and experience in overseeing complex development programs and/or working with governing institutions.
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with institutional and private sector partners and stakeholders in a multi‐country setting.
- Previous management experience of large, multi-faceted, USAID-funded or other donor projects.
- Previous experience serving in an advisory capacity to high-level government officials on trade, economic policy, technology, or competitiveness.
- Demonstrated understanding of USAID requirements for M&E, knowledge management, and reporting.
- Ability to use the latest ICT technology and computer software program.
- Excellent English writing, speaking, reading, with good communication skills (French language competence would be valuable).
Supervisory Responsibilities: The COP will supervise the four Component Leads, DCOP, and Director of Communications and Knowledge Management.
Base of Operations: Nairobi, Kenya
Interested applications please apply via the following link:http://chc.tbe.taleo.net/chc06/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=DAINC&cws=1&rid=2012
