USAID ERA looks for BCP Оpеrаtions Expert

Since 2018, USAID Economic Resilience Activity (ERA) has focused its activities on eastern Ukraine. In 2022, it expanded its geography of cooperation to other regions due to Russia’s full-scale invasion and occupation of part of Ukraine. In 2023, given the military and political circumstances and challenges, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) changed ERA’s priorities.

ERA is one of the implementers of the U.S. Government’s Interagency Agriculture Resilience Initiative – Ukraine (AGRI – Ukraine), which aims to support Ukrainian agricultural production and exports and help address the global food crisis exacerbated by Russia’s brutal war against Ukraine. USAID supports the Government of Ukraine, including working with the State Agency for Restoration and Development of Infrastructure of Ukraine (SARDI) and the State Customs Service, through ERA, to modernize border crossing points to improve grain trade and exports, passenger traffic, and perceptions of Ukraine. ERA is also implementing the Economic Stability and Recovery Initiative (ESRI), which focuses on job retention and creation and assists small and medium-sized enterprises.

USAID ERA prioritizes work on AGRI and rehabilitating EU-facing border crossing points (BCPs). The AGRI component is extending its technical assistance to Ukrainian Agri-traders and logistics companies supporting them in increasing capacity and potential of grain export logistics. The BCP component includes complex construction management and procurement of equipment and service for BCPs to become more efficient in processing big cargos of grain and other commodities through the border.

About the job

The Operations Expert at the USAID Economic Resilience Activity will be responsible for the operational oversight as it relates to BCP (Border Crossing Points) Upgrades. The ideal candidate will have experience developing plans and/or designing and delivering exercises and trainings, in emergency management, crisis management, risk management, business continuity, or another related field in an operationally complex environment. In addition, s/he must understand the operations of border crossing points and their operations, including air, sea, road, and rail transportation systems. The Operations Expert reports to the Senior Manager for BCP Upgrades and is based in Kyiv, Odesa, or preferably in the Lviv office of USAID ERA.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Analyze transit operations and relevant emergency management principles, risks and strategies in a transit or transportation operating environment;
• Assess the operational processes and procedures for maximum efficiency while maintaining quality standards for air, sea, road, and rail transport systems;
• Assess and identify ways to improve bottlenecks at border crossing points as it relates to operations and procedure;
• Assess the supplies and inventory levels at the BCPs;
• With the prior approval of the USAID, provide all necessary instructions to the implementing contractor for modification of work change directives that might affect the cost or duration of the project;
• Advise USAID of possible problem situations (technical, legal, political, or otherwise) and construction service contractors’ actions that may adversely impact project implementation or increase risks to USAID or ERA;
• Review Implementing Contractor(s) invoices, operation and maintenance (O&M) manuals, and other technical documents as requested by USAID;
• Maintain policy and procedure documents;
• Strengthen the technical capacity of engineers in contracts administration, infrastructure maintenance, and quality control to facilitate service delivery improvements across ERA municipalities;
• Assess cargo flow through Ukrainian transport systems and recommend upgrades based on operational procedures. Provide thoughtful solutions to solve bottlenecks;.
• As needed, support the procurement and grants teams to procure necessary materials and equipment to repair and equip BCPs and facilities;
• Join and closely follow the efforts of the BCP Upgrade team in promoting, reconstructing, and repairing various border crossing points.
• Assess traffic circulation, queuing system, and improvements of flow.

Reporting:

• Prepare accurate and timely field reports and other documentation as required.
• Monitor and report on the progress of operational development in terms of upgrading the border crossing points.
• Support the MEL and grants teams with their deliverables as it relates to operations and border crossing points.

About you

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Logistics, Supply Chain Management
• At least 5 years of experience in operations as it relates to construction, logistics, supply chain management, and/or customs and border checks.
• Strong knowledge of the transportation industry, including maintenance, logistics and/or supply chain management.
• The ability to prioritize competing tasks, set realistic deadlines, and manage time efficiently.
• Experience working with USAID or other international development organizations is a plus but not required.
• Strong networks in the Ukrainian transportation industry.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Fluent English and Ukrainian are required.

WE OFFER

Contract length: 12-month employment agreement with a possibility of extension.

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

Start date: October 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: October 11, 2023.

For further information about DAI GLOBAL LLC, please consult our website era-ukraine.org.ua.