Events Associate

24 July 2024

Kyiv/ Lviv/ Odesa

ERA BACKGROUND 

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. Through partnerships with the government and robust private sector engagement, ERA has supported economic growth and resilience in Ukraine since 2018. Following Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and subsequent occupation of the part of Ukraine, ERA shifted from its focus on Eastern Ukraine to cover development priorities across the country that address Ukraine’s urgent needs in export logistics and infrastructural improvements.

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-Ukraine) 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.

INFRASTRUCTURAL IMPROVEMENTS

ERA also 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 border crossing points (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.

About the job

The Events Associate will support the ERA Communications team with their events and occasional graphic design needs. He/She will work with the Communications team, Technical teams, and Operations teams to conceptualize, plan, select venues, organize and execute events such as VIP visits, training, conferences, round tables, , media events, public outreach activities, etc. When needed, he/she will also be expected to contribute to the production of graphic materials in support of events and other ERA activities to clearly convey sectors, results and lessons learned. Events Assistant will report to the Events Coordinator.

Responsibilities:

  • In collaboration with communications team, the Events Coordinator, and operations teams, the Events Associate will help plan events, including identifying, scoping and booking venues, arranging invitations, proposing ideas for and managing logistics, organizing catering, preparing event materials, set up venues, facilitate data collection,
  • Support the team to strictly following ERA’s security and procurement policies and ensuring quality of execution throughout the event;
  • Collaborate effectively with technical teams to ensure optimal event design, format etc.;
  • Travel to support the preparation and implementation of events as required;
  • Assist with taking meeting minutes and transcribing meeting notes and handwritten notes from hard copy into electronic format; and
  • Collect information about future events, including those organized by national and international stakeholders, and prepare monthly activity and delivery calendars;
  • Ensure the proper branding of ERA external/public documents at events or on other deliverables;
  • Format ERA’s publications and reporting documents in accordance with USAID branding and graphic identity requirements;
  • Create graphic materials to be used in online resources, social media, traditional media, and web pages of partners and beneficiaries;
  • Other activities as requested.

Job Expectations

In this position, you are expected to share the DAI’s four core values:

  • Integrity: commit to civil and ethical behavior, play by the rules, and do the right thing;
  • Responsibility: be accountable to clients, partners, grant recipients, beneficiaries, colleagues, and communities where we work. If you fall short, you own up, fix the problem, and get it right the next time;
  • Excellence: adhere to the highest technical and professional standards in innovation, learning, and service;
  • Global Citizenship: respect cultural diversity and treat everyone everywhere with professionalism and dignity to make the world a better place.

About you:

  • BA in communications, journalism, international relations, graphic design, or related field;
  • 2 years of experience working in a similar capacity on USAID or other international donor-funded projects (desirable but not essential);
  • Excellent time-management, organizational skills, and attention to detail required;
  • Excellent communication skills (both written and oral) in English and Ukrainian, and experience preparing high quality written and graphic design materials;
  • Exceptional English writing skills, including grammar, syntax, and punctuation;
  • Experience in developing social media content desired;
  • Proficiency with MS Office (Word and PowerPoint), graphic arts, and/or desktop publishing software;
  • Diplomatic and professional skills are required to liaise with ERA stakeholders and technical teams.

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
  • Military reservation is possible and granted if you are on a relevant military register

Start date: August, 2024

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: August 7, 2024.

For further information about DAI GLOBAL LLC, please consult our website era-ukraine.org.ua.

The modern research and educational center, Engineering and Robotics, opened at Lviv Polytechnic

Increasing Opportunities
24 July 2024

Through a grant from USAID’s Economic Resilience Activity (ERA) the modern research and educational center, Engineering and Robotics, opened at Lviv Polytechnic. This center is designed to develop practical skills in students of applied mechanics and mechanical engineering, enhance their education, and prepare them to work with equipment in modern industries. 

At the center, with the support of mentors, students will be able to learn new technologies and methods for processing and analyzing metal using laser cutting machines, bending machines, vertical milling machines, spectrometers, pendulum hammers, and other equipment.  

For more details, see the video. 

 

Procurement Officer

22 July 2024

Kyiv/Lviv/Odesa

ERA BACKGROUND

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. Through partnerships with the government and robust private sector engagement, ERA has supported economic growth and resilience in Ukraine since 2018. Following Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and subsequent occupation of the part of Ukraine, ERA shifted from its focus on Eastern Ukraine to cover development priorities across the country that address Ukraine’s urgent needs in export logistics and infrastructural improvements.

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-Ukraine) 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.

INFRASTRUCTURAL IMPROVEMENTS

ERA also 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 border crossing points (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.

About the job

The Procurement Officer will help USAUD ERA by developing and procuring optimal and sustainable solutions to meet cost, quality, and service targets as defined and aligned with our procurement, supply chain, and partners and stakeholders. The Procurement Officer plays a pivotal role in ensuring integrity, fairness, and openness in procurement processes as well as adherence to policies, procedures, and controls. One of the core responsibilities of this position is to oversee and conduct the procurement of goods and services. The position requires relevant work experience in the field of large-scale procurements of sophisticated equipment and contracting, contract management, dispute resolution, managing interpersonal relationships and communication, and investigating/following up on vendor issues. The Procurement Officer will be responsible for overseeing and ensuring that complete procurement-related backup documentation is provided prior to submission to the Finance Team. The Procurement Officer reports to the Procurement Manager and is located in Kyiv or Lviv or Odesa office.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Conduct, monitor, track and expedite all project procurement activities and delivery status of goods/services as assigned.
  • Complete national/international procurements from requisition to delivery/payment stages.
  • Liaise with Program staff to ensure any requirements for procurement support are identified approved and procured in a timely, well-documented, and cost-efficient manner. Implement an annual planning process to streamline repetitive procurement of goods to increase competitive tendering and internal processes
  • Monitor and track procurement activities and delivery status of goods/services.
  • Ensure complete backup documentation for procurement purchases is submitted to Procurement Manager and Finance Team
  • Perform regular spot audits of procurement files to ensure completeness, accuracy, and compliance
  • Participate in external or internal audits as necessary
  • Ensure integrity, fairness, accuracy, and openness in procurement processes
  • Ensure DAI/USAID and FAR policies, and procedures are followed and enforced
  • Enforce the use of DAI’s operations & procurement system (TAMIS), etc.
  • Maintain electronic procurement records & files in various DAI system platforms
  • Manage solicitation bids and quotes from vendors in adherence with policies & approved requisitions and quarterly procurement plans
  • Oversee, monitor, track, and expedite all project procurement activities and delivery status of goods/services
  • Ensure pricing information is accurate and aligns with acquisition policies
  • Conduct price/cost/reasonability analyses
  • Review requisition documentation, cost estimates, statements of work, etc.
  • Help non-procurement staff understand the requirements for submitting accurate and thorough requisitions, cost estimates, statements of work, or determine other technical specifications
  • Determine source selection methods for complex procurement to ensure compliance
  • Prepare cost evaluation data and source selection documentation.
  • Through market research efforts, identify and qualify potential suppliers (and products/services)
  • Ensure that beneficial, ethical, and open supplier relationships are created and maintained according to procurement policies
  • Maintain procurement file system in DAI’s system
  • Help maintain an up-to-date list of providers by obtaining and organizing supporting documentation on activities
  • Effectively serve as a liaison between the program team and the financial team to provide the documentation necessary to issue the payments related to the activities.

About you

  • BA or Specialist degree or equivalent in Logistics, Management, Economics.
  • Minimum of 3 years’ experience in logistics and/or procurement.
  • Experience in the procurement of equipment for the transshipment of agricultural products may be an asset.
  • Strong knowledge of grain and bulk cargo export procedures may be an asset.
  • Strong knowledge of multi-modal transportation (truckload, intermodal, railcar, less-than-truckload) market including suppliers, industry information, and key cost drivers may be an asset.
  • Experience proactively engaging internal and external partners to identify and define potential opportunities and issues.
  • Excellent communications and personnel management skills and ability to relate to people at all levels of an organization and of different multi-cultural backgrounds.
  • Well-organized and self-directed individual with sound technical skills, analytical ability, good judgment, and strong operational focus. Excellent organizational skills with a willingness to take initiative and be proactive.
  • Proven integrity and ability to adhere to the rules, honor commitments, and meet the spirit as well as the letter of those commitments, stand up for what is right.
  • Strong time management skills, capability to manage time effectively and maintain control of all current project responsibilities, follow-up requests in a timely manner.
  • Ability to manage and prioritize multiple responsibilities and respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints; experience with enterprise accounting software, and Microsoft office suite; demonstrated knowledge of internal controls and processes.
  • Experience with USAID-funded projects is preferable.
  • Fluent in English and Ukrainian are mandatory, both written & spoken.

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
  • Military reservation is possible and granted if you are on a relevant military register

Start date: August 2024

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: August 4, 2024.

For further information about DAI GLOBAL LLC, please consult our website dai.com.

Сonference “Workforce Development for Ukraine: New Opportunities and Achievements”

Increasing Opportunities
22 July 2024

More than 50 people gathered for the conference “Workforce Development for Ukraine: New Opportunities and Achievements,” in Kyiv. The conference’s target was to share ideas on how to strengthen the labor potential for various businesses and improve the cooperation between educational institutions, government, and businesses during the war by training adults.  

USAID’s Economic Resilience Activity (ERA) shared results of the project “Workforce Development for Ukraine”, implemented by the NGO, International Foundation of Development. The project ran from July 2023 to June 2024 and aimed to strengthen institutions of higher and vocational education and regional state administrations’ capacity to improve qualifications and train adults, especially immigrants and other vulnerable populations. Conference participants discussed prospects for further development of Ukraine’s labor potential, challenges and possible solutions. 

Under USAID’s AGRI-Initiative, USAID’s Economic Resilience Activity (ERA) is strengthening agro-exports

AGRI-Ukraine Export Logistics Support
22 July 2024

Under USAID’s AGRI-Initiative, USAID’s Economic Resilience Activity (ERA) is strengthening agro-exports:

 $37 million in private investment leveraged in March-May 2024 by  37 AGRI firms


25 Private businesses, Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority, Reni Port, and


10 Phytosanitary Labs under the State Service for Food Safety and Consumer Protection  $32.1 million in equipment delivered as of July 2024


 Between January – May 2024, AGRI equipment moved 367,339 MT of agricultural exports


USAID’s 25 AGRI beneficiaries exported 631,162 MT  between March 2023 and May 2024

U.S. Ambassador Visits USAID-supported AGRI Partner Agro-Region 

AGRI-Ukraine Export Logistics Support
19 July 2024

On July 18, U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink, USAID/Ukraine Mission Director Julie Konen, and representatives of USAID’s Economic Resilience Activity (ERA) visited the agricultural exporter, Agro-Region in Kyiv Oblast. 

The delegation toured Agro-Region’s facilities to see their phytosanitary laboratory, silos, USAID-provided trucks and how grain is loaded into USAID provided grain wagons for export.  

To bolster grain exports, USAID’s Economic Resilience Activity (ERA) delivered 25 grain wagons, two truck scales, two telescopic handlers, and two generators to AR Boryspil under AGRI Ukraine. In addition, ERA delivered three grain trailers to Harna Lohistyka, another company in the holding group Agro-Region.  

Agro-Region is currently in the prime season for collecting grain for exports. Around 100 farmers from Kyiv, Zhytomyr, Chernihiv, and Khmelnytskyi bring their rapeseed and wheat to Agro-Region, who has a capacity of 4,000 tons of grain. Even with rolling blackouts, Agro-Region continues to receive grain from farmers with the help of the USAID-provided generator.  

“Thanks to the help of USAID, [Agro Region Boryspil] plans to increase the volume of farm grain purchases, expand the list of partner farms and find the best conditions for cooperation,” says Vitaly Shevchuk, Head of the Boryspil Elevator at Agro-Region. “USAID’s assistance will also ensure uninterrupted grain receiving, storage, and processing services at the elevator in Boryspil and other facilities in Velyka Oleksandrivka.” 

During the discussion with the Ambassador and Agro-Region representatives, Agro-Region’s partner farmers talked about how they work during the war and the challenges they face, such as damaged agricultural machinery, mobilization of workers, and power outages. Farmers also thanked the U.S. government for the support they provide to the Ukrainian people during the war. 

“We have been working with Agro-Region for more than eight years, and they are a reliable partner,” shared Farm Owner Pavlo Petrov from Brovary district. “Every year I see how the company changes, becomes more modern, which helps me understand export trends. Despite power outages, weather conditions, and changes in fuel prices, we continue to sow grain. We believe that this year we will have higher quality grain, so we will sell it at a higher price,” he continued.  

Despite difficult spring conditions coupled with power outages, farmers hope that this year’s grain will be of higher quality than last year, so that exporters like Agro-Region can offer them top prices and move more grain with USAID-provided equipment.

Background: Assistance to agricultural producers and infrastructure companies is part of the Agriculture Resilience Initiative (AGRI) – Ukraine, implemented by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). It aims to help Ukraine increase its capacity to produce, store, transport, and export grain.