AGRI Private Partnerships Officer (AGRI Private Partnerships Officer) in DAI Global LLC

Summary submission deadline: August 20ng> 2024 року.

Project Background

AGRI-UKRAINE GRAIN EXPORT LOGISTICS

USAID’s Economic Resilience Activity (ERA) is one of USAID’s core partners 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.

AGRI-Ukraine Grain Export Logistics 

Danube and Big Odessa Port Transshipment: (1) procure grain loading equipment, temporary storage structures, and port handling-related equipment, (2) procure pilot boats as well as support port service needs for navigational safety throughout the Danube River system, and (3) renovate and repair port storage and logistics facilities including the addressing of anticipated energy deficit issue.

Road Transshipment and Logistics: (1) procure specialized grain trailers and agricultural commodity shipping containers and (2) deliver loading and unloading transshipment equipment to make future road shipments a more efficient alternative should Black Sea ports remain closed due to Russia’s ongoing aggression.

Rail Transshipment and Logistics: (1) procure grain wagons, (2) supply new or used shunter locomotives, (3) deliver temporary storage bags and loading transshipment equipment, and (4) strengthen routes for Ukrainian producers to transport grain by rail through modernized equipment and handling practices, while enhancing western border checkpoints.

Phytosanitary Testing and Export Compliance: (1) deliver equipment and consumables for grain testing to 10 Ukrainian state phytosanitary laboratories and (2) ensure capacity building and training for laboratory staff.

The AGRI Private Partnerships Specialist is responsible for working with private AGRI logistics companies, grain traders, and agricultural holdings, both public companies and private-owned companies as well as agricultural associations/unions/councils. This role requires a strong knowledge of the AGRI commodity export industry, including logistics and supply chain management. The AGRI Private Partnerships Specialist will be responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with private sector AGRI companies and traders, working with them to identify and address challenges to the export of AGRI commodities, and supporting them in implementing best practices for AGRI products export and logistics. The AGRI Private Partnerships Specialist is based in Kyiv and reports to the AGRI Deputy Director.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain relationships with both private sector companies and state partners to promote the export of AGRI commodities.
• Work with private sector partners to identify and address challenges to the export of AGRI commodities, including logistics and supply chain issues.
• Support private sector partners in implementing best practices for AGRI commodity export and logistics.
• Facilitate communication and coordination between private sector partners and other stakeholders, including government agencies, international organizations, councils, associations or trade unions.
• Collaborating with the AGRI Team, elevate agricultural logistics and transportation capabilities, facilitating the streamlined and punctual export of agricultural commodities to global markets.
• Work closely with other USAID ERA teams to ensure that private sector engagement is integrated into all project activities.
• Join and closely follow the efforts of the AGRI team in promoting, reconstructing, and repairing various agricultural commodities export facilities.
• Creates meeting memos/reports timely with key bullet points to circulate among SMT upon request.
• Follows-up requests to or meetings with beneficiaries upon request.
• Conduct field visits or other business trips within Ukraine with the purpose of due diligence, visibility check, preparation of USAID vips meetings and other upon request 
• Contributes to project planning, monitoring progress, and ensuring that objectives are met within budget and time constraints.
• Timely delivers all the ecological standard documents (ERC, EMMP, and others upon request).
• Timely verification  to their best knowledge the potential reputational and compliance risks (Know-Your-Client).
• Analyze the private agricultural market and propose a strategy of partnership with selected beneficiaries.

Reporting:

• Prepare accurate and timely field reports and other documentation as required.
• Monitor and report on the progress of private sector partners in expanding and improving the export of AGRI commodities.
• Support the MEL Team with deliverables, as it relates to private partnerships. 

Job Expectations

In this position, you are expected to share the DAI’s four core values: 

• Integrity: commit to civil and ethical behavior, play by the rules, and do the right thing; 
• Responsibility: be accountable to clients, partners, grant recipients, beneficiaries, colleagues, and communities where we work. If you fall short, you own up, fix the problem, and get it right the next time;
• Excellence: adhere to the highest technical and professional standards in innovation, learning, and service;
• Global Citizenship: respect cultural diversity and treat everyone everywhere with professionalism and dignity to make the world a better place. 

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in agriculture, business, economics, or a related field.
• At least 7 years of experience working with private agricultural logistics companies and grain traders or associations/unions/councils.
• Seamless cross-functional teamwork skills to elevate agricultural logistics and transportation capabilities, facilitating the smooth and timely export of agricultural products to global markets.
• Strong knowledge of the AGRI commodity export industry, including logistics and 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.
• Excellent communication, presentation and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Fluent English and Ukrainian are required.

JOB EXPECTATIONS:

In this position, you are expected to share the DAI four core values: 

• Integrity: commit to civil and ethical behavior, play by the rules, and do the right thing; 
• Responsibility: be accountable to clients, partners, grant recipients, beneficiaries, colleagues, and communities where we work. If you fall short, you own up, fix the problem, and get it right the next time;
• Excellence: adhere to the highest technical and professional standards in innovation, learning, and service;
• Global Citizenship: respect the cultural diversity and treat everyone everywhere with professionalism and dignity to make the world a better place. 

WE OFFER

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

Benefits Package:

• 28 calendar days of annual leave
• 10 days of internal well-being paid leave per annum
• Medical Insurance for ERA staff and their families
• Life Insurance for ERA staff
• Coverage of all expenses for the business trips
• Military reservation is possible and granted if you are on a relevant military register

Start date: August 2024

Application process

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

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or status as a protected veteran.

Closing date for applications: August 20, 2024.

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