USAID ERA HELPS RELOCATED IT COMPANIES KICK START THEIR BUSINESSES

12 April 2024

With support from the USAID Economic Resilience Activity (ERA), Mariupol IT Cluster (MRPL IT Cluster) is helping relocated IT companies restore their businesses, improve staff skills, and engage local businesses in the IT community. In 2023, ERA supported the cluster to train more than 100 people in project management and IT sales, providing them with professional skills to broaden their career opportunities.

Seven displaced IT companies participated in MRPL IT Cluster’s mentoring support program, which offered consultations and courses to 77 employees of different IT companies, helping to enhance their opportunities for employment and professional growth.

“The processes we have set up work very effectively and are easily scalable,” explained Andriy Hadashevych, Head of MRPL IT Cluster. “This allows us to work on even more ambitious projects and have a significant impact on the Ukrainian economy through the implementation of similar initiatives. We have also gained a better understanding of the market and the needs of IT companies, identifying the importance of sales, marketing, and budgeting directions for growth.”

Based on the mentoring program, participants have implemented new business ideas, which led to improved sales, new clients, and scale up.

“After re-starting our business, our team grew by more than 20%. We acquired new clients and increased sales. We continue to implement scaling strategies and will keep working on optimizing processes for seamless growth. The insights gained from these consultations will enable us to achieve more impressive results than we could have achieved independently,” said Heorhiy Petrushyn, Director General of MixDigital Company.

Currently, the MRPL IT Cluster is implementing a consulting program in which U.S. experts from Silicon Valley coach Ukrainian IT businesses and provide them with strategies to enter the US market. Four out of 21 applicants were selected for the first group of participants, who are already in consultation with the program experts. Selected companies will also have access to consultations with experts in human resources, negotiation management, and strategy development.

USAID ERA held a working visit to the Regional Development Agency of the Odesa Oblast

10 April 2024

On April 5, representatives of the USAID Economic Resilience Activity (USAID ERA) held a working visit to the Regional Development Agency of the Odesa Oblast (Agency).

Timothy Madigan, COP of USAID ERA, addressed the challenges that the agency is currently facing. USAID ERA supports grain export logistics within the framework of the “AGRI-Ukraine” initiative, including transshipment of cargo in Danube ports, road, and rail transshipment as well as logistics, phytosanitary control, and compliance with export requirements. A separate component of USAID ERA is the modernization and reconstruction of border crossing points.

Director of the Agency, Serhiy Kononenko, spoke about their cooperation with many logistics companies, requests from businesses to attract additional funding for scaling and developing their economic activities, overcoming the negative economic consequences of the full-scale Russia’s invasion into Ukraine. It is extremely important for Odesa Oblast to have international partner support to help companies continue to export agricultural products to world markets to strengthen global food security.

A few things were highlighted during the visit, such as the need to form comprehensive analytical data on the state of development of export activities, namely agricultural products, the development of transport and logistics capacities, and the staffing of this industry. The Regional Development and Restoration Strategy of Odesa Oblast plays a part in all of these matters.

Training to ensure proper quality of grain at elevators for further export

09 April 2024

Elevator complex specialists, 30 Grain Alliance employees and 26 Nibulon employees, started an online training course to master modern grain storage methods and laboratory analysis to maintain proper quality for export to customers worldwide. Implemented by the NGO International Foundation of Development, with assistance from USAID Economic Resilience Activity (ERA), and the Institute of Postgraduate Education, of the National University of Food Technologies, the training fits within the framework “Workforce Development for Ukraine.”

Experts from Nibulon’s production laboratories discussed issues of grain crops pests, including pests’ impact on grain quality and storage, the specific methods of disinfecting agricultural products, as well as how to limit pest infection and spread. Experts from Grain Alliance’s laboratories learned to assess grain quality upon acceptance and storage, how to collect samples using an automatic sampler and manually with handheld dipstick, and how to prepare samples for analysis.

“Recently, the focus of training highly qualified specialists has shifted towards cross-disciplinary knowledge and mastering related professions. This is imperative for our company as we rely on modern approaches, modernization, and the implementation of innovative technologies, moreover our specialists must have a thorough understanding of the processes of elevator operation and production facilities from A to Z,” says Yana Romanenko, HR Director at Nibulon Company.

During the training modules, course participants will be able to:

Analyze grain quality, identify major grain diseases, understand their impact on grain and seed quality, know methods of diagnosing these diseases, and learn measures for the prevention and control.
Identify grain contamination with pests and mycotoxins, understand the types of storage stocks pests, and know measures to control grain pests, understand the specifics of decontaminating agricultural products and storage facilities.
Be aware of food safety management, food drying, and seed grains.

The training, “Control of Safety and Quality of the Grain, Diseases, and Conditions of High-Quality Storage at the Elevator during Export Operations,” will continue until the end of April.

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. 

Security and Safety Manager

08 April 2024

Kyiv (with travels to Lviv and Odesa)

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.

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.

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.

About the job

The Security and Safety Manager in close coordination with Senior Security Manager in Ukraine will advise and support the USAID Economic resilience Activity in Ukraine on overall security and safety programs, plans, and policies relevant to ERA, including detailed security procedures that comply with DAI security policies. This will include collecting and sharing information regularly, providing guidance, and supporting the emergency response drills, communication procedures, and rollout implementing security measures for each Activity. The Security and Safety Manager is based in Kyiv and reports directly to Safety and Security Senior Manager in Ukraine / ERA Chief of Party.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

With the Senior Security Manager and Security and Logistics Specialist, distribute threat warnings to all staff as appropriate.
Ensure that appropriate risk mitigation measures are taken by the project to respond to the threats or changes in threats faced by the project, in consultation with senior project management and the Senior Manager and Regional Security Director. This is to include physical protection measures, safe working routines, movement restrictions, protection equipment, evacuation, and security staff provision, as required.
Provide security, safety, and risk mitigation guidance and support
Monitor and analyze the ongoing threat environment faced by the project, provide daily SITREP (situational reports), and brief leadership, including DAI Global Security Team. Distribute threat warnings to all staff as appropriate. Ensure that appropriate risk mitigation measures are taken by the project to respond to the threats or changes in threats faced by the project, in consultation with senior project management and the DAI Global Security Team. This is to include physical protection measures, safe working routines, movement restrictions, protection equipment, evacuation, and security staff provision, as required.
Advise on domestic travel and route planning in coordination with SFP and project logistics teams. Analyze and provide guidance on movement and coordination for the project, including driver and vehicle deployment and staff whereabouts.
Develop and manage security screening process for sub-contractors and partners, in coordination with the Regional Security Manager.
Analyze, oversee and provide guidance to the DAI project operations in Ukraine to ensure the systems adheres to the requirement and are up-to-date.
Conduct security training for staff including personal security, road movement procedures, information security, first aid, etc.
Report security incidents, violations and recommended corrective actions, as appropriate, to the COP, SFP, Senior Security Manager, and DAI Global Security Team. Investigate serious breaches of security protocol and incidents.
Verify and test all security devices such as satellite phones, alarms, access systems, etc.
Inspect physical force protection measures are operational or reported for repair.
Work with the Senior Security Manager to maintain the project Crisis Response Plan, country risk management system and evacuation plan in coordination with the COP and SFP and ensure that the contact information contained therein is always up to date.
Provide, a weekly security report to the COP, SFP, Senior Security Manager, and the DAI Global Security Team.
Be able to assist with out-of-hours emergency response for project staff and partners, if needed.
Assist the project with business continuity planning, as required.
All the above includes ensuring security protocols are understood and security drills are periodically conducted with staff in all locations, including regional offices.
Other duties assigned by the ERA Chief Operating Officer and ERA Chief of Party.

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

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree and/or specialized certification in safety and security, risk management or similar.
9 years’ experience overseeing safety and security programs, preferably with an international NGO or development company.
Demonstrated knowledge of safety codes.
Experience in military, police, INGOs/development organizations, diplomatic security, protection, and intelligence is an asset.
Strong leadership capabilities including organizational and problem-solving skills.
Excellent interpersonal skills to form effective working relationships at all levels.
Willingness to travel as needed, including to higher risk areas.
Developed network in the Ukrainian security, military and intelligence community.
Excellent writing, speaking, and reading skills in English. Native/fluent Ukrainian speaker preferred.

Skills

Excellent interpersonal and teamwork skills.
Excellent attention to detail and proven capacity to carry out multiple tasks concurrently.
Adaptability in responding to changing priorities and needs.
Ability to work in a fast-paced work environment.
Professionally proficient and fluent in written and spoken Ukrainian and English.

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: May 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: April 23, 2024.

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

USAID ERA connects educational and privat sector partners to build student skills in agri business

Increasing Opportunities

08 April 2024

With support from USAID’s Economic Resilience Activity (USAID ERA), Volodymyr Dahl East Ukrainian National University (EUNU) signed an agreement with two other USAID ERA partners, the NGO Association of the Ukrainian Agribusiness Club and Kernel, a prominent manufacturer and exporter of grain and leader in the global sunflower oil market.

Through this cooperation, students will have access to internships and hands on training at Kernel’s facilities, in tandem with educational courses at EUNU

“We are glad that our university is collaborating with experts from the Kernel Company to explore new opportunities for the development of agriculture, engineering, construction, logistics, computer-integrated technologies, and electronics,” said Olga Porkuyan, EUNU Rector.

“We hope to address the practical training needs of higher education seekers and jointly organize lectures, seminars, and training sessions, as well as engage in scientific, international, and grant-related activities.” Natalia Teriakhina, Head of the HR Department at Kernel Company, explained, “We aim to arrange internships and practical training opportunities for both students and university staff at our company. Additionally, we seek to launch online courses for students to develop essential soft skills, focusing specifically on communication, critical thinking, and responsibility. The combination of our research facilities and the extensive scope of agricultural production will allow students to have high-quality practical training opportunities, along with remuneration.“

EUNU is an internally displaced university that has had to relocate twice from the Luhansk Oblast and is currently operating in Kyiv city. It has been a partner of USAID ERA’s since 2018. USAID ERA is currently establishing three modern laboratories for training future engineers at the university. After resuming operations, EUNU began re-establishing its partnerships with the business sector and is now collaborating with ten Ukrainian companies.

USAID ERA helps improve rail logistics between Ukraine and the European Union

Modernization of the BCPs

05 April 2024

USAID Economic Resilience Activity (ERA) contractor, “TRADING HOUSE” MASHSERVIS” LTD, has completed the installation a total of 12 bogie exchange lifts (3 sets of 4 pieces), at the rail border crossing point (BCP) in Chernivtsi Oblast on the Ukrainian-Romanian border, operated by Ukrzaliznytsia (UZ).

The bogie exchange lifts are an efficient way to change wheel bogies to move trains and wagons from the wider gauges (1,520 mm) to standard gauges (1,435 mm) and vice versa. Each set of four lifts has the capacity to lift railcars weighing more than 100 tons. The use of the new lifts contributes to the precision of technological processes related to the rearrangement of cars and, accordingly, to the efficiency of rail freight transportation between Ukraine and the European Union.

During May and June 2024, the USAID ERA contractor will install an additional 20 lifts at the rail BCP in Lviv Oblast, on the border with Poland.

The lifts are supplied by “TRADING HOUSE” MASHSERVIS” LTD (the actual manufacturer of the lifts is a subsidiary of Plasma Company LLC), a leading Ukrainian company based in Kharkiv that manufactures and supplies equipment for Ukraine and Europe, which won the USAID ERA competitive tender. Prior to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the company sold 50% of its equipment on the domestic market and exported 50%. For now, “TRADING HOUSE” MASHSERVIS” LTD, sells 80% of its products on the domestic market and exports 20%.

“TRADING HOUSE” MASHSERVIS” LTD ensures high quality standards through the ISO 9001 quality management system and complies with international safety and sustainability standards. The company’s products also comply with such standards as technical specifications and the State standards of Ukraine. As such, their supply and installation of these high-standard lifts will ensure that these essential cargo-handling equipment continues to serve the economy of Ukraine for many years to come.

Background: Between 2023-2026, USAID, through the Economic Resilience Activity (ERA), is dedicating $115 million to support the State Agency for Restoration and Development of Infrastructure of Ukraine (SARDI), Ukrainian Railways (UZ), and State Customs Services, to upgrade border crossing points (BCPs) to improve grain trade and export volumes. 