Value Chain Development Associate

Relevant Experience:

A. General Qualifications/Skills

• Basic understanding of value chain and economic growth concepts;
• Knowledge of USAID procedures and regulations is preferred
• Ability to perform successfully as a member of multiple project-related teams;
• Demonstrated successful interpersonal skills;
• Fluency in both English and Urdu required; other Pakistani languages especially Pushto preferred;
• Willingness to travel to all provinces of Pakistan as per the demand and requirement;
• Work experience in the private sector or in a development project environment is preferred, with work experience in the latter being more preferable.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills mainly in English
• Must be able to establish good relationships with the stakeholders
• Must have coordination and supervisory skills
• Analytical and problem solving skills
• Strong computer skills including the ability to create spreadsheets, presentations, reports with hands on experience of MS Project , web browser and email
• Excellent interpersonal skills to work with stakeholders/ partners with different cultural backgrounds
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines

B. Specific Qualifications

• Zero to two years of experience preferably in the development sector.

C. Educational Requirements

• B.S./B.B.A required or a Master’s degree preferred

Job Description:

• Coordinate with the core consultative group(s), public sector organizations, stakeholders, associations, developmental organizations, donors. and other relevant external people for follow up on all tasks, sub-tasks, ongoing activities and planned activities on a daily/weekly basis and report on progress to VCD Specialist /supervisor to ensure smooth planning, monitoring and implementation of the sector(s) work plan
• Collect and tabulate data related to assigned sectors
• Provide technical support in report writing, documentation and filing, and decisions taken in meetings  
• Maintain liaison with other Firms departments
• Ensure application of value chain approach on VCD activities
• Carry out primary and secondary research on existing and proposed activities;
• Provide secretarial, word-processing, spread sheeting, filing and other administrative and Information and Communication Technology services to prepare communications, SoW(s), reports, charts, tables, presentations, work plan(s), budget(s), procurement plans, TPARs, contracts, MOUs, agreements, evaluations  or any other documents in English and/or Urdu
• Assist the VCD Specialist / Supervisor  in updating (no less frequently than weekly) the  sectors electronic work plan actions and budgets ( on aid project) and ensure all documents are uploaded and updated regularly,
• Assist the VCD Specialist / Supervisor  in reviewing and archiving in a compliant manner all documents related to work plan actions including, but not limited to, position descriptions, scopes of work, background readings, deliverables, and other documents;
• Schedule meetings and facilitate interaction between  Project Staff long-term and short-term personnel and Component counterparts and beneficiaries;
• Ensure project policy-compliant closeout of all Component short-term assignments;
• Serve from time to time as a facilitator for VCD and/or office events and write event reports to be shared with stakeholders;
• Perform day to day operations/ admin/ technical tasks related to the assigned sector
• Arrange and participate in meetings, conferences, and project team activities, record attendance, take and prepare minutes of those meetings.
• Update and maintain participant databases.
• Carry out an analysis of the responses of participant responses after the training has been conducted.
• Coordinate with the support teams and HO and other project offices for the successful completion of activities
• Manage, organize, update and file data related to project activities in soft and hard copies
• Review and edit training material and coordinate with the training and events team to ensure that all training rooms / venues, equipment, catering arrangements, logistics and other requirements are booked.
• Printing of training support materials / handouts for training courses, and assisting with the creation and evaluation of training packets including text and formatting of these wherever relevant.
• Perform all other relevant duties that may be assigned by the Supervisor and/or the Chief of Party or his/her designee.
• Ensure project policy-compliant closeout of all component short term assignments.
• Process and distribute sector-related mails/emails
• Coordinate with vendors and stakeholders for successful completion of trainings and events, including but not limited to preparing lists, drafting and sending invitation letters, taking confirmations, recording minutes, preparing reports and follow up on agreed actions.