Global Communities Trade Manager

Global Communities Trade Manager

Global Communities (formerly CHF International) promotes long-lasting positive change in low- and moderate-income communities around the world, helping them improve their social, economic, and environmental conditions.
Global Communities’ Nairobi-based Country Office is recruiting for the following position to support its ongoing program activities in Kenya.

Agribusiness Investment for Market Stimulation (AIMS) Program: The AIMS program is a five-year program funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
AIMS bolsters agribusiness enterprises in Kenya, Tanzania and Malawi by increasing their access to finance and by expanding their trade outlets.
Global Communities seeks a qualified candidate for the following position:
Job Title: Trade Manager

Department: Programs

Reports To: Deputy Chief of Party

Location: Nairobi

Job Summary: Global Communities (formerly CHF International) is an international development organization whose mission is to be a catalyst for long-lasting positive change in low- and moderate-income communities around the world, helping them improve their social, economic, and environmental conditions.
Global Communities is seeking local candidates for the five-year Agribusiness Investment for Market Stimulation (AIMS) program to increase trade links and access to finance for agribusiness SMEs located in Kenya, Tanzania and Malawi. Starting date for this position is July 2015. Position requires approximately 30% travel in Kenya and in the work region.

The Trade Manager will supervise a team of mobile Trade Specialists and will oversee efforts to improve access to market information systems, as well as the quality and integration for broader diffusion of available systems, and will also manage activities to facilitate market linkages, through workshops and trade fair participation.
The Trade Manager will, through organized training session and other means, improve agribusiness operator skills in finance, marketing and in better networks to access business service provider assistance.
The Trade Manager will offer expertise in trade facilitation and trade policy implementation with the primary objective of expanding the value and volume of agribusiness trade, .primarily in the cereals, pulses, and edible horticultural value chains.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Trade Manager will manage the operational and technical management of all trade related activities throughout the Agribusiness Investment for Market Stimulation (AIMS) program in all three countries
Lead the design and implementation of all SME enterprise capacity building programs to include mobilizing cadres of business service providers specializing in the agribusiness
Supervise three teams of Trade Specialists and Trade Officers in Kenya, Tanzania and Malawi
Oversee value chain mapping and facilitate market information analysis
Promote integration of market information systems for broader diffusion
Organize AIMS participation in appropriately selected agribusiness fairs
Develop and nurture strong stakeholder relationships that foster market linkages
Contribute to monitoring and evaluation and reporting of project activities
Help ensure quality performance of technical efforts and field activities by coordinating programmatic reporting, quality of data management and information
Conduct regular visits to worksites to monitor the development and implementation
Support the documentation of program learning throughout the life of the program
Manage program databases and run regular reports to monitor progress including Program Tracker.
Adhere to and incorporate Global Communities Kenya office Standards of Professionalism
Maintain strict confidentiality of all privileged information on human resource and fiscal matters
Assist with any other duties as required by Supervisor
The duties listed above are not inclusive of all the duties of the position at Global Communities International.

Global Communities reserves the right to change and update position descriptions at any time.

Education and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or Advanced degree (preferred) in international trade, international business or other related disciplines.
• A minimum of 7 years’ experience in a field related to stakeholder coordination for trade expansion through more efficient market information and value chain integration in East Africa.

Skills and Experience

• At least 5 years of technical experience working with international trade, preferably in the fields of agricultural trade and investment, at least 5 years of which have been in developing countries (East Africa preferred)
• Demonstrated success in creating and implementing innovative solutions, and achieving measureable results in the areas of policy reform, advocacy, and policy analysis, training and capacity building of government.
• Demonstrated experience using market facilitation principles
• Strong computer skills and a working knowledge of statistical software
• Ability to maintain professional and constructive relationships and negotiate solutions.
• Demonstrate flexibility, cultural sensitivity when working with NGO partners, and the ability to adapt Global Communities policies and procedures to the local context
• A person of known integrity able to work in a team
• Superior written and verbal communication skills and strong organizational skills
• Ability to interact clearly and effectively with donors and other organizations
• Language Skills
• Excellent command of English language including written and spoken English
• Effective use of written and spoken Kiswahili
• Working Conditions: Based in the Nairobi office; travel outside of Nairobi as required to perform duties; E. Africa travel will also be required

Able to operate a computer and keyboard for extended periods of time

How to Apply

Applicants are to submit their application letters with detailed CV to vacancies@chfkenya.org with the title of the position applied for in the header of the application letter. The application letters shall be addressed to the HR Director.The application deadline is close of business Monday, June 8, 2015.