Agri- Export and Logistics Workforce Development Specialist / Спеціаліст/ка AGRI з експорту та логістики

FHI 360 is a nonprofit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions. Our staff includes experts in Health, Education, Nutrition, Environment, Economic Development, Civil Society, Gender, Youth, Research, and Technology — creating a unique mix of capabilities to address today’s interrelated development challenges. FHI 360 serves more than 60 countries, all 50 U.S. states, and all U.S. territories.

FHI 360 is currently recruiting for the position of a specialized Agri-Export and Logistics Workforce Development Specialist**  for the USAID/Ukraine Economic Resilience Activity (ERA). For this job, the Workforce Development specialist will specialize in workforce issues for Agri-logistics. For this Ukraine-based position, frequent travel around Ukraine is also possible.

ERA BACKGROUND

Ukraine’s efforts to win the future – emerging from Russia’s full-scale invasion ready to accelerate its development as a sovereign, independent, democratic, and prosperous state – require a dynamic, inclusive economic recovery. Through partnerships with the government and robust private sector engagement, ERA has supported economic growth and resilience in Ukraine since 2018.
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and subsequent occupation of the part of Ukraine, ERA shifted from its focus on Eastern Ukraine to cover development priorities across the country that address Ukraine’s urgent needs in export logistics and infrastructural improvements.

AGRI-UKRAINE GRAIN EXPORT LOGISTICS

USAID’s Economic Resilience Activity (ERA) is one of USAID’s core projects, led by Development Alternatives Incorporated (DAI), implementing the $350 million Agriculture Resilience Initiative – Ukraine (AGRI-Ukraine) that was established in 2022 to bolster Ukrainian agricultural exports and alleviate the global food security crisis exacerbated by the war. Under AGRI-Ukraine, ERA partners with public and private companies to address gaps in agri-logistics  and leverage urgently needed grain transportation and transshipment investments. ERA’s support for AGRI-Ukraine focuses on logistics and grain export, rather than on production and processing (covered by other USAID activities).

INFRASTRUCTURAL IMPROVEMENTS

ERA also directly supports the Government of Ukraine, including the State Agency for Restoration and Development of Infrastructure of Ukraine (SARDI), the State Customs Service and Ukrainian Railways, to upgrade 42 of Ukraine’s border crossing points (BCPs). Modern and more efficient border infrastructure and customs procedures will reduce export costs and increase export capacity, enabling Ukraine to scale trade and advance its path to EU integration.

More details about ERA’s current priorities are here: https://era-ukraine.org.ua/en/about-en/

We are looking for a specialist with expertise in grain export and logistics sectors to support workforce development activities and partnerships specifically, logistics planning, supply chain management, business process management, grain laboratory testing, customs procedures for grain export, and trade or export market requirements. S/he must provide technical expertise to the local FHI 360 team, engage effectively with other ERA and AGRI project teams and provide expert guidance on capacity building for ERA and AGRI  partner institutions and companies’ employees.

Job Summary/Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the ERA AGRI team to develop strategic partnerships and interventions that achieve workforce development objectives under AGRI-Ukraine.
• Maintain professional communication and collaboration with AGRI partner companies, focusing on their upskilling needs in grain export specifics and selecting suitable training programs to enhance competitiveness.
• Assist in co-development of grants that achieve the objective “Upskilling and improving agri-logistics current and prospective staff competency on use of transport, logistics and laboratory equipment for grain export.
• Coordinate with other USAID ERA teams to provide technical coordination and management of workforce development grants under AGRI Ukraine, and to organize training, education, and knowledge transfer events, both online and in-person, within and outside Ukraine.
• Schedule and promote certified programs/courses to ensure optimal participation and provide technical leadership in designing and delivering related program activities.
• Manage activities to improve partner companies’ skills in grain export processes, including training sessions, consultations, and events; coordinate with the Monitoring and Evaluation team on data collection and learning.
• Facilitate organization of public events and trade missions, working closely with Admin/Logistics/Communications for necessary arrangements.
• Prepare accurate field reports, maintain activity records in the DAI corporate system, contribute to monthly event activity schedules, and monitor internal systems for efficient resource use.

Qualifications**

**May be hired at senior officer or manager level depending on qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Logistics, Logistics Human Resources, Project Management, Sales and Marketing, or related fields.
• Proven expertise in one or several types of transshipment and logistics (of grain is preferable) via Danube, road and rail or phytosanitary testing and export compliance is required
• Proficiency in office software applications (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint etc.)
• Excellent professional communications and negotiation skills and who can relate to people at all levels of an organization.
• Ability to work independently and in close cooperation with a team remotely. Ability to work cross-functionally and internationally.
• Experience in organizational development, management of development programs, and/or complex projects preferred.
• Experience with international donor-funded projects is preferred.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, and Fluency in Ukrainian and professional proficiency in English communication, is required.
• Must possess appropriate interpersonal skills to satisfy the requirements of the position.
• Must be based in Ukraine and available to travel 10-25% to various parts of Ukraine.

WE OFFER

Competitive compensation and benefits.

Location of Assignment:

Kyiv/Odesa/Lviv, Ukraine

Instructions to Aply:

Only the most qualified and suitable candidates will be invited to interviews. Interested qualified individuals may submit their 1) CV, 2) cover letter by May 10, 2024  to [email protected]  with  ‘Agri- Export and Logistics Workforce Development Specialist – prefer location’ in the subject line. Only applications submitted in English will be accepted.