Vacancies - The U.S.-Africa Business Center

9 December 2010
Content from a Premium Partner
Corporate Council on Africa (Washington, DC)
press release

The U.S. Africa Business Center Employment Opportunities

CCA designed the USABC program to capitalize on CCA's leadership in promoting U.S.-Africa Business linkages, and the USABC management team will draw on years of development experience in Agribusiness and SME development to ensure the efficient implementation of the USABC program.  The following management and implementation plan details managerial responsibilities and describes the expected deliverables for the first year of program implementation.

Roles and Responsibilities:

Program Director (PD): The PD will leverage 7-10 years of industry experience to develop, implement, and supervise USABC initiatives.  He/she will direct the energies of both program managers toward high potential sectors and regions, and will maintain productive relationships with USABC stakeholders and constituents, including CCA leadership and USAID.  The program director is also responsible for ensuring strong financial management and the implementation of the monitoring and evaluation plan.  This position reports to the Vice President for Programs at CCA.

Program manager- Agribusiness (PDA): The PDA will, with guidance from the Program Director, research regions and sectors with high potential for business linkages. He/she will keep abreast of business operating in those sectors, and communicate the relevant company information to the project coordinator for entry into the USABC business directory.  Most importantly, the PDA will be responsible for determining how to best promote linkages between these business and partners in the U.S.  In this effort he/she will collaborate closely with the Program Manager- SME Linkages. This position reports to the Program Director of the USABC.

Program Manager- SME Linkages (PMSL):  The PMSL will drive business linkages through direct outreach, attending industry events, marketing, and leveraging CCA and USABC contacts.  With the guidance of the PD and PDA, the Program Manger will actively seek out new businesses to enter into the USABC directory, and design initiatives meant to forge partnerships between U.S. and African SMEs.  This position reports to the Program Director of the USABC.

Project Coordinator (PC):  The PC will act as the POC for all information concerning the USABC business directory.  He/she will work with the relevant web developers to ensure that the business directory advances USABC goals and objectives.  The PC will also help with routine financial oversight, and perform various writing and administrative tasks as necessary.  This position reports to both the Program Manager-Agribusiness, and the Program Manager- SME linkages.

Position Descriptions:  


Job Description:  Program Director

The Director of the U.S. - Africa Business Center will provide strong leadership to the USABC team, driving the program to maximize linkage potential and ensure deliverables.

Responsibilities

  • Program Development and Management:  Develops, implements, and supervises programs and services that are consistent with the organizational mission and that meet the needs of its constituents.  Recommends and designs new programs.  This includes a new Small and Medium Enterprise Forum and workshops in CCA's biannual U.S.-Africa Business Summit.
  • Policy Management:  Advises on issues related to policy frameworks in the U.S. and Africa that facilitate trade and investment through increased public-private partnerships in small businesses and rural infrastructure.  Monitors and disseminates government and international organization policy statements that influence the investment climate for business in Africa.
  • Constituent Relations:  Develops relationships in the small business sector and recruits companies to become CCA members and participate in its programs.  Develops and maintain strong relationships in U.S. government agencies, multilateral organizations, and philanthropic organizations.
  • Budget and Finance:  Prepares an annual operating budget, relates budget to program goals and manages all funds, and submission of financial reports to USAID.  
  • Monitoring and Evaluation: Ensure the USABC program faithfully follows the monitoring and evaluation plan and reports findings to USAID.  
  • Public Outreach:  Represents CCA at speaking engagements and public events related to agriculture.
  • Staff Management:  Hires, supervises and evaluates full-time staff and interns.  Maintain high employee morale that includes teamwork across CCA functional and program areas.   

Qualifications

  • Master's degree in Business Finance or MBA and M.A. in International Affairs with Africa specialty
  • Approximately 7-10 years experience in financial institution, small business company or trades association with at least 4 years supervisory, project management and budgeting experience
  • Strong time management and organization skills
  • Proficient in multiple computer applications, including Word, Excel and Powerpoint
  • Ability to handle multiple projects at once and treat each one as a priority
  • Ability to gain respect at executive levels of the U.S. and Africa business, finance and policy communities
  • Leadership and problem solving skills
  • Ability to work with individuals at all levels within the organization
  •  Experience in managing USAID-funded international program, including compliance and financial management, staff and subcontractor supervision, and contract development and negotiation
  • Experience living or working in Africa experience required
  • Strong analytical skills and written and oral communication skills
  • Ability to teach new skills to others
  • Quality improvement oriented

This position is funded by a three-year USAID grant and reports to the Vice President of International Programs. Travel to Africa is required.


Job Description:  Program Manager- Agribusiness

The Program Manager- Agribusiness assists the Program Director in developing, managing and coordinating the USABC and CCA efforts to forge linkages in the agribusiness sector.

Responsibilities

  • Manages aspects of the various USABC activities.
  • Develops strategic relationships with CCA members and other relevant stakeholders
  • Contributes regular articles to the CCA E-Journal and the Agribusiness Webportal
  • Drafts and prepares portions of annual work plans, quarterly and annual reports, and contributes to the annual budget process and financial reporting
  • Researches, develops and prepares proposals for funding in order to leverage existing funding sources
  • Establish targets, monitors progress toward achievement, and prepares reports to USAID
  • Ensures project compliance with USAID regulations across entire project, including budget management
  • Organizes, implements, and participates in trade and investment related CCA events including meetings, programs, seminars, and conferences
  • Assists in resource development strategies and implementation

Qualifications

  • Master's degree in related field
  • Minimum of 3-5 years of professional experience, including at least three years in international business development and/or agribusiness
  • Experience in managing USAID-funded international program, including compliance and financial management
  • Experience living or working in Africa experience required
  • Excellent written, verbal and communication skills

This position is funded by a three-year USAID grant and reports to the Program Director.

Job Description:  Program Manager- SME Linkages

The Program Manager- SME Linkages will proactively seek linkage opportunities by reaching out to USABC constituents, leveraging CCA contacts, and attending industry events.

Responsibilities

  • Manages aspects of the various USABC activities.
  • Develops strategic relationships with CCA members and other relevant stakeholders
  • Contributes regular articles to the CCA E-Journal and the Agribusiness Webportal
  • Drafts and prepares portions of annual work plans, quarterly and annual reports, and contributes to the annual budget process and financial reporting
  • Researches, develops and prepares proposals for funding in order to leverage existing funding sources
  • Establish targets, monitors progress toward achievement, and prepares reports to USAID
  • Ensures project compliance with USAID regulations across entire project, including budget management
  • Organizes, implements, and participates in trade and investment related CCA events including meetings, programs, seminars, and conferences
  • Assists in resource development strategies and implementation

Qualifications

  • Master's degree in related field
  • Minimum of 3-5 years of professional experience, including at least three years in international business development and/or agribusiness
  • Experience in managing USAID-funded international program, including compliance and financial management
  • Experience living or working in Africa experience required
  • Excellent written, verbal and communication skills

This position is funded by a three-year USAID grant and reports to the Program Director.

Job Description: Project Coordinator

The project coordinator will act as the POC for all activities concerning the USABC business directory, as well as aiding in daily administrative and oversight tasks.

Responsibilities

  • Researches and follows up on business leads in both the U.S. and Africa
  • Develops strategic relationships with CCA members, other relevant stakeholders, and African businesses
  • Provides market and industry analysis of the SME sector of various African countries
  • Identifies trade, investment and services opportunities of interest to CCA members
  • Plans and organize on-ground components of trade missions to African countries
  • Helps draft various documents and publications for USABC staff
  • Help with daily administrative tasks, including financial oversight in the form of invoices, check requests, and budgeting.  

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in business, finance, international affairs or related field
  • Minimum of 2-4 years of professional experience, including at least two years in international business development and/or agribusiness
  • Experience in market and industry analysis, finance and project/business plan  review
  • Experience living or working in Africa experience required
  • Excellent written, verbal and communication skills

This position is partially funded by a three-year USAID grant and reports to the Program Director.

TO APPLY, PLEASE COMPLETE THE BIO APPLICATION FORM THAT IS ATTACHED AND SEND TO RESUME@AFRICACNCL.ORG

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