BACKGROUND:

The Bureau for Africa (AFR) is the USAID/Washington operating unit charged with managing USAID economic development and trade programs in Africa. The Office of Sustainable Development (AFR/SD) has the responsibility of providing technical support for these programs. AFR/SD’s technical responsibilities span across all areas of economic development – economic growth, trade, investment, agriculture, the environment, global climate change, biodiversity, water, democracy and governance, education and health. In providing technical support AFR/SD has articulated three development objectives – (1) generating new ideas to improve these development programs, (2) influencing USAID missions in Africa, African governments and development partners to improve their policies and programs by using better information, and (3) strengthening the capacity of African institutions to develop and implement evidence-based policies.

AFR/SD is tasked with leading USAID’s support to the Prosper Africa Presidential Initiative. The goal of Prosper Africa is to substantially increase two-way trade and investment between the United States and African countries in sub-Saharan and North Africa. The whole-of-government Prosper Africa initiative will help prioritize and align actions – including new programs and existing efforts that will complement and reinforce progress – along three lines of effort: (1) Modernize and synchronize U.S. government capabilities and efforts; (2) Facilitate Transactions; and (3) Foster Fair and Accessible Business Climates and Robust Financial Markets.

AFR/SD seeks an experienced Trade and Investment Design and Implementation Specialist for a short-term assignment. As a critical member of the AFR/SD team, the incumbent will work under the supervision of the AFR/SD/EGEA Trade Team Lead. The Trade and Investment Design and Implementation Specialist will provide key technical skills to support the development of a next generation program to follow on USAID’s flagship Prosper Africa initiative implementation tool the Africa Trade and Investment (ATI) program.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support leadership with technical expertise and advisory, facilitation, consultation, and coordination services to AFR/SD/EGEA on trade and investment related programming.
• Support to the Prosper Africa Executive Secretariat (PAES) as assigned, in furtherance of coordination of the initiative.
• Support the AFR/SD team as it completes the procurement of a new trade and investment activity.
• Support the development of new AFR/SD trade and investment staff.
• Develop and provide technical input into the implementation of AFR/SD trade and investment activities.
• Support the drafting, monitoring, and finalization of design and procurement documents for AFR/SD activities.
• Support engagement with the Office of Acquisition and Assistance (OAA) to finalize procurement documents that support the Prosper Africa initiative and USAID's trade and investment work in Africa.
• Assist in completing a follow-on activity to the ATI program, including the procurement process:
• Preparing documents for Office of Acquisition and Assistance (OAA) review and action
• Address any process or technical issues in the preparation of documents.
• Create talking points and briefing materials on USAID programming to update USAID leadership, the Prosper Africa secretariat, the USG interagency, and Congress.
• Provide training and consultation to AFR/SD’s new staff related to program development, co-creation and consultation processes and AFR/SD’s trade and investment procurements.
• Support the AFR/SD team in developing and disseminating technical content for a potential number of guiding documents and strategies, both internal and public-facing, including regular meetings and/or written reports.
• Facilitate engagement of external partners, potential implementers, other donors and private sector entities as assigned, to develop and strengthen USAID’s activities.

QUALIFICATIONS, EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Master’s degree in a relevant field including trade, economics, finance, business, or a related degree.
• 7-10 years’ development experience
• Demonstrated experience in designing and managing international trade and investment activities, with at least two (2) years’ experience in an international or resource challenged setting.
• Demonstrated U.S. Government specific experience with program design, and monitoring, evaluation and learning.
• Demonstrated experience with U.S. Government Monitoring and Evaluation systems
• Must be able to write well and persuasively under pressure/deadline.
• Outstanding organizational and planning abilities.
• US Citizen; ability to receive and maintain security clearance.