Border Cross Point Workforce Development Specialist / Спеціаліст/ка з розвитку трудового потенціалу фахівців пунктів перетину кордону

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 Border Crossing Point Workforce Development specialist** for the USAID/Ukraine Economic Resilience Activity (ERA). For this job, the Workforce Development specialist  will specialize in workforce issues for border crossing point development (BCP) construction and staffing. 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 complement and leverage urgently needed grain transportation and transshipment investments.

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 knowledge and hands-on expertise in customs procedures and border crossing operations for export via road and rail. S/he must provide technical expertise to the local FHI 360 team, engage effectively with other ERA and BCP project teams and provide expert guidance on training and upskilling activities for ERA and BCP partner institutions and companies employees.

• Maintain professional communication and collaboration with partner companies of BCP initiatives realized by USAID ERA
• Provide technical leadership and related technical assistance in the design and delivery of related program activities and implementation e.g. create and realize grants, write SoW for tender procedures and consultant support, draft publications for social media etc.
• Manage activities that help partner companies improve or develop skills on customs procedures and other border crossing operations for export;g. training sessions, consultations, webinars, online and in-person events etc.
• Facilitate the organization of public events, trade mission visits, and work in close coordination with Admin/Logistics/Communications to make all necessary arrangements.
• Prepare accurate and timely field reports and other project documentation as required.
• Keep respective activity records in the DAI corporate system (TAMIS).
• Contribute to development of monthly event activity schedules.
• Develop and monitor internal systems and procedures ensuring efficient and proper use of resources e.g. ongoing reporting, proper budget and interventions planning and monitoring, close coordination with team members etc.

Qualifications**

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

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in customs services, project management or a related field.
• Proven expertise in construction, knowledge of customs procedures for export; experience with and understanding of issues related to border management, EU integration and import requirements an advantage 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 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 Apply:

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  ‘Border Cross Point Workforce Development Specialist- prefer location’ in the subject line. Only applications submitted in English will be accepted.