Business Advisor

BACKGROUND
Tasdeer is a Trade Facilitation and Customs Support programme (2020-2025; £15m) funded by UK Aid and implemented by a consortium led by Cowater International.

Our objective is to improve the Palestinian private sector’s competitiveness and Palestinian Authority (PA) capacity in trade, customs and import policy regulation and administration. We aim to increase sustainable private sector-led economic growth and job creation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, supporting the PA’s fiscal sustainability while promoting equitable access to the benefits of increased trade and improved institutional capacity.

Our private sector-focused workstream operates predominantly through grants. We co-develop bespoke export & sales growth plans with Palestinian firms and provide funding so that they can meet their local, regional and international market growth potential, creating jobs in the process. This includes direct support to critical supply chains of firms as well as clusters/cluster development. We give preference to firms generating economic empowerment results for women, youth, and marginalized groups.  

SUMMARY OF THE POSITION
Tasdeer is looking for a Business Advisor to identify, foster, and support export growth strategies for private sector firms and across promising sector/clusters.

The Business Advisor will work on the delivery of matching grants component and other targeted interventions to improve private sector skills, innovation and competitiveness.

The Business Adviser is expected to provide technical assistance and work hand in hand with applicants and potential grantees to design and implement growth plans to enter new markets and/or expand in current ones, thus generating increase in exports and employment opportunities.

The Business Advisor will work with the Tasdeer team to achieve the programme goals.  S/he must have technical expertise in private sector development and experience in designing and leading assessments and interventions in the promotion, development, and expansion of the private sector at the firm and sector levels in several potential value chains

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

The Business Advisor will support the Tasdeer team in the design and implementation of activities to enhance private sector competitiveness, skills, innovation, and exports.  The BA will be responsible for the following tasks/activities:

• Work with local firms to identify potential for expanding and diversifying exports. Build relationships with candidate enterprises, leading to the development of a shared vision about their needs and recommendations to improve their competitiveness, create business growth and create jobs.
• Carry out regular site visits to applicants and assess firms’ export growth potentials and interrelated needs.
• Provide direct assistance and coaching to firms in the development of Export Growth Plans that are geared towards measurable and quantifiable results (a growth in exports, jobs generated, enhanced competitiveness, etc.), with focus on Women, Youth and marginalized groups.
• Support firms to identify ways to enhance linkages with local suppliers for increased exports and promote the concept where needed.
• Support proper implementation of grants’ firm-level activities and maintain day-to-day supervision of service providers’ assignment implementation.
• Provide support to the procurement processes including participation in ToR preparations, contract awarding and reviewing of deliverables.
• Monitor firms’ progress during the implementation of Grant activities and conduct regular field visits.
• Maintain project and client information on the project information system, according to project standards.
• Support the Tasdeer team including the Knowledge Management Lead, GESI Lead, Communications Lead, Monitoring and Evaluation Team on issues pertaining to their area of responsibility.
• Other duties, as requested by the Workstream Lead.

جميع الحقوق محفوظة لموقع جوبس.

JOB REQUIREMENTS 

• A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business Administration, Economics, Engineering, or related fields. Holding an MBA degree is a plus.
• At least Six (6) years of practical experience, from which minimum three (3) years of work experience in business development and private sector development.
• Previous experience with donor-funded economic growth projects in Palestine.
• Previous working experience supporting exporting companies develop and implement export growth plans.
• Exposure to various sectors and industries including but not limited to: Agriculture and Agribusiness, light manufacturing, and Information Technology.
• Ability to understand the strength and weaknesses of private sector enterprises and help them reach a higher level of global competitiveness.
• Ability to understand and structure business incentives for exporters / local suppliers enhanced linkages.
• Strong analytical, verbal and writing skills in English and Arabic.
• Ability to produce accurate and concise draft reports at pace.
• Strong team player with the ability to adapt to different work styles within the team.
• Pro-activeness, dedication and a conscientious professional approach.
• Tasdeer offers equal employment opportunities to qualified women and men, Youth and PWDs.
  

GEOGRAPHIC COVERAGE AND DUTY STATION

Ramallah with travel in the West Bank required, and to Gaza if feasible.

APPLICATION PROCESS 

Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, no later than 4:00 pm Wednesday 12th April 2023 to [email protected]

Candidates must submit the following to be considered:

• A full CV
• A cover letter (two page limit, A4) which explains their suitability for the role.

For your application to be considered, please upload your documents as follows: Candidate Last Name, First Name, date, Title of the Position. 

Cowater International is an equal opportunity employer, basing employment on merit and qualifications as they relate to professional experience and position expectations. Cowater does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender identity, disability, age, or any other basis protected by law.
   
We thank all applicants, however only those shortlisted will be contacted.
   
ABOUT US
With more than 35 years’ experience, Cowater International is Canada’s global leader in management consulting services specializing in international development and has managed the implementation of over 800 projects in more than 80 countries around the globe. We work with governments, partner organizations, communities and civil society to design and implement sustainable solutions that generate lasting social, financial and environmental impacts. Our adaptive approach to management has led to our award-winning work and recognition as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021. Headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, Cowater International also has corporate offices in Montreal, Quebec; London, United Kingdom; Nairobi, Kenya; and Brussels, Belgium, in addition to project offices in a wide variety of other locations across Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia.

We thank you for your interest in building a better tomorrow with Cowater International.