Kyiv / Odesa
ERA BACKGROUND
The USAID Economic Resilience Activity (ERA) is designed as an adaptive and flexible mechanism that supports Ukraine’s immediate development needs and overall economic resilience. Ukraine’s efforts to win the future – emerging from Russia’s full-scale war ready to accelerate its development as a sovereign, independent, democratic, and prosperous state – require a dynamic, inclusive economic recovery.
STABILIZATION AND BUSINESS REVIVAL
ERA participates in developing a resilient, inclusive, and growth-oriented economy in severely damaged areas. ERA empowers Ukrainians to establish and develop micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in promising economic sectors, innovate, and enter new markets in Ukraine, the European Union (EU), and other regions. ERA emphasizes the inclusion of internally displaced persons (IDPs), women, young adults, veterans, the elderly, LGBTQI+ and other vulnerable groups to ensure that these people also participate in building the region’s economic success.
Starting in 2025, ERA is reviving its interventions around Stabilization and Business Revival and re-establishing a core focus on 4 eastern oblasts (Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson) and 3 adjacent oblasts (Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Mykolaiv); and, to a lesser extent, in 4 war-affected areas (Sumy, Poltava, Chernihiv, Odesa). This Stabilization and Business Revival intervention area aims to improve the economic resilience of eastern Ukraine by achieving the following goals:
- OBJECTIVE 1: Provide assistance to stabilize the economy of Ukraine; and
- OBJECTIVE 2: Support the sustainable development of micro, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Ukraine.
Consequently, the economy of eastern and frontline communities in Ukraine will be able to withstand and respond to the challenge presented by Russia’s invasion and destruction of critical infrastructure; and individuals, businesses and government partners will be able to rebuild their lives and operation in these regions, thereby improving the economic resilience of the region.
In addition to Stabilization and Business Revival in the east and frontline oblasts, ERA continues to support complementary intervention areas:
- AGRI-UKRAINE GRAIN EXPORT LOGISTICS; USAID’s Economic Resilience Activity (ERA) is one of USAID’s core partners implementing the $350 million Agriculture Resilience Initiative – Ukraine (AGRI) that was established in 2022 to bolster Ukrainian agricultural exports and alleviate the global food security crisis exacerbated by the war. Under AGRI-Ukraine, ERA partners with public and private companies to complement and leverage urgently needed grain transportation and transshipment investments.
- BORDER CROSSING POINTS (BCP) IMPROVEMENTS; ERA directly supports the Government of Ukraine, including the State Agency for Restoration and Development of Infrastructure of Ukraine (SARDI), the State Customs Service and Ukrainian Railways, to upgrade 42 of Ukraine’s BCPs. Modern and more efficient border infrastructure and customs procedures will reduce export costs and increase export capacity, enabling Ukraine to scale trade and advance its path to EU integration.
- ENERGY AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE SUPPORT; As one of USAID’s most flexible activities that responds to emerging and/or emergency needs, ERA is expanding its interventions that assist Ukraine businesses, communities or individuals in the fall and winter (September 2024-December 2025). The goal is to minimize the impact on the Ukrainian people and economy given recent power deficits. This is an adaptive component and ERA may also need to respond to other emergency needs in the face of ongoing Russian aggression and attacks on Ukraine’s critical infrastructure.
JOB OVERVIEW
A Coordinator for Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Support is responsible for facilitating the growth, sustainability, and development of SMEs by implementing programs, coordinating initiatives, and offering strategic guidance. The coordinator plays a vital role in creating an enabling environment for SMEs to thrive. The Coordinator for SME Support serves as a bridge between SMEs and resources, helping them overcome challenges, access opportunities, and contribute meaningfully to the economy. The Coordinator for Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Support reports to the Senior Manager for SME Support and is preferably based out of ERA’s Kyiv, Odesa office.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Support overall implementation of ERA interventions under SME Support in eastern and adjacent war-affected communities.
- Coordinate tasks and processes for the Senior Manger for SME support with the operational management, including project management tools, process management, coordination across teams and subcontractors.
- Provide quality control for the timely delivery of project deliverables, communications and routine updates.
- Coordinate directly with stakeholders and partners to align activities and programming.
- Organize workshops, training programs, and seminars to enhance the skills and competencies of SMEs.
- Support SMEs to respond to ERA opportunities through engagement in ERA stakeholder platform and by sharing information on ERA grants and direct support opportunities.
- Create platforms for SMEs to network and collaborate with potential investors, suppliers, and partners.
- Support the team with the organization of events and forums to help SMEs access new markets and showcase their products.
QUALIFICATIONS
- MA degree and 7 years (or a BA with 10 years) of experience in economic growth, infrastructure development, project management, international development, or a related field.
- Experience in business development and SME operations.
- Knowledge of funding mechanisms and financial planning.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement abilities.
- Analytical skills for monitoring and evaluating SME performance.
- Understanding of digital tools, market trends, and policy frameworks.
- Experience working with USAID or other international development organizations is a plus.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Fluent English and Ukrainian are required.
WE OFFER
Contract length: 12-month employment agreement with a possibility of extension.
Benefits Package:
- 28 calendar days of annual leave
- 10 days of internal well-being paid leave per annum
- Medical Insurance for ERA staff and their families
- Life Insurance for ERA staff
- Coverage of all expenses for the business trips
- USAID ERA project is classified as critical infrastructure, reservation from military service is possible
Start date: January 2025
Application process
All applicants must send a cover letter and updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English to ukraine@dai.com
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or status as a protected veteran.
Closing date for applications: January 31, 2025 (on a rolling basis)
For further information about DAI GLOBAL LLC, please consult our website era-ukraine.org.ua.