USAID ERA looking fоr SME Development Officer

USAID Economic Resilience Activity (ERA), implemented by DAI GLOBAL LLC, empowers business development in Ukraine. The project works in particular with small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in manufacturing and engineering sectors to promote innovations, and expand to new markets across Ukraine, the European Union, and other destinations.

To strengthen our team and business development footprint in the region, we are looking for a highly qualified SME Development Officer. You will be managing accounts of individual USAID ERA SME partners, individual business consultants that service those SMEs, provide a versatile business advice to selected dynamic businesses and share the best practices across various business facets.

About the job

The SME Development Officer will assist manufacturing firms in Ukraine to adapt to the challenges brought on by the armed conflict and achieve growth and market expansion through managing their relationship with the project, independent consultants, assistance in strategy development, market research, improvement of management structure and efficiency, quality certification, fostering R&D, technology upgrades, etc. The officer is also expected to perform a number of accompanying administrative activies like activity performance monitoring and various reporting tasks.

The SMEDO will help to identify and onboard eligible small and medium manufacturers, and together with the Manufacturing and Business Internationalization Lead help those firms develop and implement personalized growth strategies. Tools for this will include programming and coordination of consulting and in-kind assistance, direct coaching and consulting, engaging outside consultants, assisting firms in preparation for trade missions and expositions, etc.

The SMEDO should be prepared for diverse, personalized and long-term relations with individual businesses focusing primarily on increasing their sales, but also employment, foster innovation and improve their competitiveness.

Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

• Facilitate participation of companies in ERA «Innovations for Manufacturing» program activities;
• Administer and coordinate individual consultants’ work with companies;
• Administer in-kind assistance to companies as necessary;
• Provide mentorship to manufacturing and engineering companies on a wide range of business issues which may include building modern systems and processes for sales, exports, marketing, HR, financial management and business expansion abroad, strategic management and planning, operational efficiency, digital transformation etc.;
• Introduce «Innovations for Manufacturing» program to relevant stakeholders including local business owners, local representatives and business service providers. Foster ongoing positive cooperation with these stakeholders;
• Catalyze business environment promoting business ties and cooperation between region’s businesses, the rest of Ukraine and foreign markets;
• Identify, assess and manage business projects in the region linked with manufacturing and engineering sectors within USAID ERA area of responsibility.

About you

To be successful in this role we expect you to have a proven experience and capability to interact and successfully communicate with top management executives of Ukrainian small and medium enterprises; plan and manage consultants’ work with companies; consulting practice and professional coaching and/or mentoring cases for manufacturing and/or engineering companies in their business development efforts.

Moreover, we also expect the following:

Required

• MA in business, marketing, economics, or a related field, from a recognized national or international university
• Solid leadership and organizational skills including attention to detail and multitasking skills
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in both English and Ukrainian;
• Good interpersonal skills, and an ability to succeed in a multi-cultural environment.

Desirable

• Strong analytical skills
• Willingness to work in the field
• Direct, hands on private sector experience
• Experience working in the field of international economic development

WE OFFER

Contract length: 12-months employment agreement with a possibility of extension until August 2026.

Salary Level: We offer competitive market-based salary level for candidates with relevant experience.

Duty station: remote

Benefits: all benefits envisaged by Labor Code of Ukraine, corporate medical insurance for employees and immediate family members.

Start date: January 2023

Application process

All applicants must send a cover letter and updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English to [email protected]

Closing date for applications: December 29, 2023 COB

For further information about the DAI GLOBAL LLC, please consult our website dai.com