Student Yevhen Penchuk talks about education, professional growth and career perspectives during wartime

14 November 2023

Yevhen Penchuk is a fourth-year agronomy student of the Tavria State Agrotechnological University. He is also a participant in the AgrokebetyPRO program. The implementation of the project is supported by USAID Economic Resilience Activity (ERA). Yevhen received eight awards from tutors of the Agrokebety training program. Read the story below to learn about overcoming challenges, self-improvement, and achieving higher goals.

Yevhen Penchuk believes that an agronomy student during wartime must be responsible, decisive, active, able to learn quickly and strive for constant self-improvement. In the summer of 2022, the University was relocated from Melitopol to Zaporizhzhia during the enrollment period. The administration of the University asked students for help. Yevhen was one of those who responded and was later offered a job in one of the faculties.

During this period, he also learnt about AgrokebetyPRO project, which is aimed at helping students to get professional training, and issupervised by tutors at the leading agricultural companies.

“The University was relocated to Zaporizhzhia, where the security situation was not favorable for offline professional training. AgrokebetyPRO therefore became a perfect solution for me and my colleagues. We were able to attend online lectures facilitated by experts, and take guided tours in leading enterprises. Also, the project included online testing and we were awarded with certificates of completion of professional training”, Yevhen notes.

AgrokebetyPRO presented a lot of opportunities, including professional experience, job offers, and valuable knowledge and skills.

Yevhen recounts further:

“Agrokebety PRO gave me maximum knowledge and skills necessary for enhancing my CV. This is very important for a student. This project helped me to find my place in the agricultural sector.  First of all, you need to analyze and visualize. Analysis and visualization will help you to understand your position and circumstances around you. Then, you must focus. Try to clarify whether you like what you’re doing or not. Thirdly, be brave. You need to have the courage to admit to what you want. Equally important is planning. Make plans to achieve the desired result. And finally, act boldly and persistently. Start implementing your plan, the main thing is not to be afraid of mistakes. All of this will help you to take active steps towards your own goal, and feel confident about your capabilities.”.

Within the course of the project, Yevhen was rewarded for his hard work – eight such awards. Having successfully completed the practical task given by experts fromPrJSC MHP, the largest producer and exporter of chicken in Ukraine, Yevhen received an invitation to a three-day event MHP AGRI FUTURE held in Vinnytsia Oblast. During the event, Yevhen visited compound feed production facilities where he learnt about the innovations and digital technologies in agricultural businesses. For example, he observed how drones are used for spraying in the fields, and how to manipulate a tractor or а combine harvester using GPS. Yevhen also observed the process of sunflower oil production, which he found to be of great interest

Recently, Yevhen was awarded an academic scholarship by the President of Ukraine. He also became a member of the Council for Internally Displaced Persons of Zaporizhzhia Military-Civilian Administration.

“In my opinion, soft skills are very important for career development. Such skills help young professionals to adapt to a new working environment. This is why it is crucial to develop skills of communication, responsibility, leadership, creativity and adaptability”, says Yevhen.

However, he also believes it is important not to forget about hard skills:

“Analysis of labor market helps to develop the required skills. Having studied the most common requirements of the employers, you should train particular skills using all available resources: online and offline courses, workshops, trainings, and communication with colleagues. Make sure to apply the acquired skills in your work”, Yevhen summarized.

Currently, AgrokebetyPRO is implementing the third phase of the project, called “Agroentrepreneurship“. You can join the project by filling in the online form: https://bit.ly/agrokebetypro-agbusiness

Displaced manufacturing company receives new equipment and increases production capacities in new location

14 November 2023

When “TANA” was displaced from Sievierodonetsk, Luhansk Oblast, due to the full-scale invasion,the company managed to relocate almost 50% of their equipment. Initially, the company rentedproduction facility at the new site in Cherkasy Oblast, but later purchased it. This year, in 2023, USAID Economic Resilience Activity (ERA) procured and delivered two modern thermoplastic machines to TANA. Read below to learn how the company is benefiting from these new machines.

Before the full–scale invasion, TANA was producing polypropylene, polyamide and polyethylene granules, which are then sold to customers as raw materials. TANA manuctures various products for mechanical, electric, and chemical engineering. However, for a long time, TANA had its own ambition. The company wanted to produce not raw materials but finished goods. In particular, rubber seals for manufacturers of plastic water pipes, which are in high demand on the market. But the company couldn’t afford to purchase the highly costly equipment for such production.

TANA therefore submitted a request to USAID ERA for a grant to acquiretwo thermoplastic machines (automated plastic injection molding machines). The new equipment will allow the manufacturer to expand the range of products, create new jobs and increase production by 10%.

“In July, our team received the new equipment. We prepared our premises for the installation of these machines. Now, the staff is training to operate these machines. We began manufacturing our first product, rubber seals for sewer pipes. Our customer is a big company based in Chernivtsi which produces different types of pipes for water, heating, sewer and other products”, says Serhiy Voitiuk, the Director of TANA Limited Liability Company.

Voitiuk also notes that the new machines are very energy-saving. The old equipment used by the company prior to full-scale invasion consumed 10 times more energy.

Special molds are required for manufacturing any kind of products on thermoplastic machines. These molds enable them to launch serial production. One such mold costs UAH 200,000 or more.

“We need four molds for manufacturing this kind of product. At the moment, we have one, and we are awaiting three more. Such purchase will enable us to use one of the thermoplastic machines at its maximum capacity and supply clients with products in a timely manner”, says Voitiuk.

TANA plans to purchase another four molds for the second thermoplastic machine bythe end of January 2024. These molds will be used for manufacturing containers for adhesives. TANA is also considering providingservices to other companies using their molds for production of requested goods.

TANA had lost a large number of clients due to the war and relocation. However, within a year, the company managed to attract more than 10 clients at the new location.

Currently, the company has 23 employees, all of whom are displaced persons from Luhansk Oblast. In October 2022, there were 16 employees, but before the full-scale war there were 85 employees. The company plans to hire 4 new employees by the end of October 2023. In addition to the new products, TANA produces a wide range of composite materials based on synthetic rubbers, including materials for window seals for Ukrainian customers. Window seals are in high demand now. A lot of windows in Ukraine need to be replaced due to damages from the shelling.

The new equipment received from USAID ERA will therefore allow the company to expand the product range, attract new customers and create new jobs. All of this will contribute to business stability during wartime.

“Before the war it was timber, now it is grain”. How product testing demands have changed at the Volyn phytosanitary laboratory

14 November 2023

The requests submitted to the Volyn Oblast Phyto Laboratory (VOPL), a state-owned institution, for phytosanitary services have changed. The USAID Economic Resilience Activity (ERA) is helping this, and other state phytosanitary laboratories fulfill these new requests in a timely manner through providing them with the necessary supplies.

Before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the main crop samples examined was sawn timber (wood), at more than 70%, with grain accounting for just 5% of crop samples. Now, sawn timber accounts for 30% of tested samples, while the number of grain samples has increased to almost 70%. The laboratory receives an average of 120 samples per day.

This change in therequests for product tests was due to the change in logistics routes for grain exports and Russia’s blockade of the Black Sea ports. Previously, laboratories in Odesa and Mykolaiv oblasts were responsible for testing grain for export. Due to the shelling of the port infrastructure, agricultural exporters began looking for other logistics routes. Since grain was exported through the western border regions, they started to turn to laboratories in these regions for phytosanitary testing of samples. Volyn is one of them.

“The number of samples to be tested, mainly of grain, has increased significantly at the phytosanitary analysis department of our laboratory. Ports are now unstable, and so most exporters transport grain by highways and railways through the western borders of Ukraine. Currently, the phytosanitary analysis department of VOPL receives up to 70% of all requests for grain testing. Most often, these are corn, wheat, soybeans, and rapeseed. In practice, the process looks like this: a farmer applies to the State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection, or DPSS, with a request to conduct an analysis. A state phytosanitary inspector takes samples, packs them into a safe package, attaches the accompanying documents, and this sample is then delivered to the laboratory by a representative of the cargo-owning company or a state phytosanitary inspector. The cost of examination of one sample of grain, for example, is 370 UAH, if it is wheat or corn and 240 UAH, if it is soybeans or rapeseed. The phytosanitary analysis department conducts an examination for pests, diseases, and weeds in the grain. Based on the testing results, the state phytosanitary inspector issues a conclusion, and then the customer receives a certificate from DPSS”, says Tetiana Suleva, the Head of the Department of Phytosanitary Analysis of Volyn Oblast Phyto Laboratory.

Depending on the contamination of the sample, it takes from several hours to up-to a day to analyze it. If a virological or bacteriological examination is required, it is done using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or PCR testing, which takes a day. To complete all the tests in time, the laboratory employs 11 specialists. They receive 50 to 200 samples for analysis per day. These tests require consumables, such as Petri cups, test tubes, dispensers, scissors, gloves, gowns, and other supplies. Which is why ERA provided these supplies to VOPL and eight other phytosanitary laboratories in Ukraine.

“We need a lot of consumables all the time. Most of the consumables are disposable. In order to avoid contamination during testing, we must use only new materials that are of high quality. As such, the USAID support saves us money. Previously, we used to spend a lot of money on consumables”, says Yevheniya Lykhach, the Director of Volyn Oblast Phyto Laboratory.

Only state laboratories can confirm the test results and issue the certificates for grain export. That’s why staff training, equipment and consumables are very important. In October, the VOPL, with the assistance of USAID ERA, held a week-long training for phytosanitary laboratory staff from 13 regions of Ukraine. Participants learned how to perform modern tests using real-time PCR testing, how to properly maintain documentation, and how to interpret research results.

“Every country which imports Ukrainian grain has its own import regulations. Most EU and Asian countries request PCR testing from exporters. PCR testing is one of the most accurate and up-to-date methods of analysis. Through this analysis document, permission is hereby given to export grain. So, all of laboratory workers must know how to perform such tests. This is why staff training is very important”, says Vladyslav Sedyk, USAID ERA Consultant.

As a reminder, assistance to agricultural producers, infrastructure companies, and state phytosanitary laboratories is part of the Agriculture Resilience Initiative implemented by USAID in Ukraine. It aims to help Ukraine increase its capacity to produce, store, transport, and export grain.

USAID supports Ukraine agricultural exporters to prepare for winter

14 November 2023

USAID supports Ukraine agricultural exporters to prepare for winter

USAID Economic Resilience Activity (USAID ERA) has delivered 13 out of 19 planned diesel generators with capacities ranging from 50 to 800 kW to agricultural exporters in Ukraine. The generators will ensure stable functioning of their facilities during blackouts, which are expected during the winter months.

Kernel, Ukraine’s largest producer and exporter of sunflower oil, which exports its products to more than 80 countries around the world, received two generators, of 500 kW and 200 kW, as well as аn automatic reserve input cabinet. The new equipment will be installed at the company’s transshipment terminals in the Danube region. The generators and the reserve input cabinet will ensure an uninterrupted power supply at Kernel’s premises in Odesa Oblast. This support is crucial in enabling the continuing productivity of the company even during blackouts. ERA will also deliver one more 800 kW generator, of 800 kW, to Kernel in the upcoming weeks.

TAK-AGRO, a holding company involved in grain trade, elevator services, and the supply of agricultural products, and with operations in Kyiv, Vinnytsia and Odesa oblasts, also received a 500 kW generator. The generator will ensure the operation of the elevator in Kyiv Oblast, which is equipped with rail sidings and designed for 16,500 tons of grain elevator storage and 30,000 tons of grain storage in bulk.

Some member companies of the Ukrainian Agricultural Council (UAC), an association of small and medium-sized agricultural companies, also received generators. These are Ztala Trade, Perlyna Podillia, Phoenix Agro, Urochysche Zhuravske LTD, and “IDFS” LTD.

Serhii Ivaschuk, General Director of the Khmelnytskyi Oblast based “Perlyna Podillia”, noted the benefit of this support.

“Last winter we couldn’t dry grain and prepare a shipment for export due to incessant shelling by Russia’s troops and the resulting blackouts. Recently, we received two powerful generators with capacity of 200 kW each from USAID ERA. This power supply will allow us to fulfill contractual commitments and use the elevator in an uninterrupted mode even during blackouts.”

In 2022, “Perlyna Podillia exported over 11 tons of grain, a reduction from the 15 tons that were exported in 2021This reduction of export was caused by the power supply challenges and the decrease in the demand for Ukrainian grain in EU countries.

The procurement of the equipment was undertaken within the Agriculture Resilience Initiative (AGRI) – Ukraine, implemented by the US Agency for International Development (USAID), in order to mitigate trade crisis exacerbated by Russia’s cruel war against Ukraine. It aims to help Ukraine increase its capacity to produce, store, transport, and export grain.

Information Communications Technologies (ICT) Officer

10 November 2023

Lviv/Odesa

Since 2018, USAID Economic Resilience Activity (ERA) has focused its activities on eastern Ukraine. In 2022, it expanded its geography of cooperation to other regions due to Russia’s full-scale invasion and occupation of part of Ukraine. In 2023, given the military and political circumstances and challenges, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) changed ERA’s priorities.

ERA is one of the implementers of the U.S. Government’s Interagency Agriculture Resilience Initiative – Ukraine (AGRI – Ukraine), which aims to support Ukrainian agricultural production and exports and help address the global food crisis exacerbated by Russia’s brutal war against Ukraine. USAID supports the Government of Ukraine, including working with the State Agency for Restoration and Development of Infrastructure of Ukraine (SARDI) and the State Customs Service, through ERA, to modernize border crossing points to improve grain trade and exports, passenger traffic, and perceptions of Ukraine. ERA is also implementing the Economic Stability and Recovery Initiative (ESRI), which focuses on job retention and creation and assists small and medium-sized enterprises.

USAID ERA prioritizes work on AGRI and rehabilitating EU-facing border crossing points (BCPs). The AGRI component is extending its technical assistance to Ukrainian Agri-traders and logistics companies supporting them in increasing capacity and potential of grain export logistics. The BCP component includes complex construction management and procurement of equipment and service for BCPs to become more efficient in processing big cargos of grain and other commodities through the border.

About the job

The ICT Officer establishes and monitors the project IT infrastructure and supports implementation of new hardware and software for program operations or basic upgrades in coordination with ICT Coordinator. He manages the ICT network and computer equipment for the project and is responsible for the proper maintenance and functioning of the server and other equipment. The ICT Officer ensures that IT-related support to ERA beneficiaries/grantees is timely, compliant with USAID regulations, and implemented using best practices in ICT. The ICT Officer works in a team environment and coordinates efforts with Operations and Technical teams. The position is based in ERA offices in Odesa/Lviv and reports to the ICT Manager.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

In coordination with the ICT Manager support the DAI staff usage of ICT and office equipment.
Provide advice to local employees in ICT support on a daily basis upon request; inform them about with the timely updates of all software installed on ICT equipment.
Allow for smooth and stable work of ICT equipment (laptops, desktops, printers, network equipment, etc.). Solve hardware and software problems in the shortest terms possible;
Ensure stable and smooth functioning of networks, both LAN (wired and WiFi) and Internet connections, in office and other locations;
Maintain accurate ICT registries: registry of ICT assets, license registry, etc. Keep all the information up to date (license keys, license expiration, etc.).
Inform in advance the line manager about the expiration of licenses, and ensure the timely procurement request for the new licenses;
Maintain proper and efficient usage/storage of ICT and office equipment in line with Security regulations and DAI HO IT policy.
Implement and follow the ICT access rules, including the storage access level, passwords for personal PCs, regular password changes, encryption of most important data, etc.;
Ensure the correct maintenance of ICT and office equipment, both guarantee and post-guarantee.
Liaise and coordinate in a timely manner the maintenance and repair issues with the relevant suppliers/manufacturers/service providers.
In coordination with ICT Manager implement and support the backup system for the DAI data.
Ensure regular backups for all required data, proper backup accounting, and storage, in line with DAI HO IT policies;
Work with the Administration/Logistics team to maintain a list of the project’s IT-related inventory;
Coordinate checking systems in order to optimize performance and initiate recovery action after system failures;
Perform other duties, as assigned by the Senior Finance and Compliance Manager and ICT Manager.

About you

BA diploma in Computer Sciences, IT technologies, or equivalent.
Understanding of TCP/IP protocol stack;
Experience with mail systems (MS Exchange) and web servers (IIS, Apache) is a plus;
Experience with scripting languages (Windows/DOS batch) is a plus;
Working experience with MS SharePoint is a plus;
Knowledge of server maintenance is a plus;
Good written and spoken English;
Experience working in ICT Support in a humanitarian/recovery context is a plus;
Documented results related to the position’s responsibilities.
Skills in finding and solving problems;
Responsibility, independence, attentiveness, ability to handle stress, diligence.

WE OFFER

Contract length: 12-month employment agreement with a possibility of extension.

Benefits: all benefits envisaged by the Labor Code of Ukraine, corporate medical insurance for employees and immediate family members.

Start date: December 2023

Application process

All applicants must send a cover letter and updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English to ukraine@dai.com

Closing date for applications: November 30, 2023.

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

Environmental Officer

09 November 2023

Lviv/Kyiv/Odesa

ERA is one of the implementers of the U.S. Government’s Interagency Agriculture Resilience Initiative – Ukraine (AGRI – Ukraine), which aims to support Ukrainian agricultural production and exports and help address the global food crisis exacerbated by Russia’s brutal war against Ukraine. USAID supports the Government of Ukraine, including working with state- and private owned companies, namely the State Agency for Restoration and Development of Infrastructure of Ukraine (SARDI), the State Customs Service, the State Border Guard Service through ERA, to modernize border crossing points (BCPs) to improve grain trade and exports, and perceptions of Ukraine. ERA is also implementing the Economic Stability and Recovery Initiative (ESRI), which focuses on job retention and creation and assists small and medium-sized enterprises.

USAID ERA prioritizes work on AGRI and rehabilitating EU-facing border crossing points. The AGRI component is extending its technical assistance to Ukrainian Agri-traders and logistics companies supporting them in increasing capacity and potential of grain export logistics. The BCP component includes complex construction management and procurement of equipment and service for BCPs to become more efficient in processing bulk cargoes and other commodities through the border.

About the job

The Environmental Officer is a key member of the Environmental Compliance Team and plays a pivotal role in assuring adherence to environmental policies and regulations, environmental controls, and reporting systems. The Environmental Officer will invest in providing environmental analysis support to the technical team and ensure the preparation of environmental assessments for project activities and interventions. The Environmental Officer supports field examinations, reports on environmentally hazardous locations and materials, and maintains environmental documentation related to Agricultural and BCP projects. The Environmental Officer works in close coordination with the AGRI and BCP technical staff to ensure environmental assessment for AGRI- and BCP-related interventions. The Environmental Officer will report to the Senior Manager for Environmental Compliance and be based in Lviv or Kyiv or Odesa.

Responsibilities and Duties:

Environmental Assessment for AGRI-Ukraine activities:

Coordinate and review testing and analysis of potential environmental hazards;
Support the AGRI-Ukraine program, ensuring environmental compliance of activities and interventions;
Monitor project environmental impact and report on compliance with USAID environmental policy;
Oversee and monitor field implementation of environmental mitigation measures;
Ensure submission of required internal environmental documentation related to AGRI-Ukraine projects to the DAI ‘s experts based in headquarter and coordinate with them further documentation preparation process;
As required, coordinate environmental training and technical assistance;
Undertake additional actions required by the Deputy Chief of Party to ensure compliance with USAID and Ukraine environmental regulations policies;
Perform other tasking as directed by the ERA senior management.

Participate in evaluation of environmental risks of proposals submitted by subcontractors, grantees, or beneficiaries in line with their reliability and ability to achieve the goals with focus on safely export of Ukraine’s agricultural products; The Black Sea ports are the most commercially viable to ensure that Ukraine’s agricultural products can be cost-effectively transported to food insecure countries around the world.
In coordination with Big Infrastructure Lead, work to ensure that AGRI-Ukraine activities are aligned with the USAID ERA’s environmental compliance standards;
Conduct site visits to assess subcontractors, grantees, or beneficiaries’ environmental compliance, provide guidance on environmental hazards mitigation;

Communication:

In close collaboration with the Director for Communication and Change Management, represent ERA in a professional manner to the key audiences;
Proactively engage with target communities to identify opportunities to promote environmental attentiveness of the local communities.

Monitoring & Evaluation:

Manage activities to implement workplan at improving ERA’s indicator for environmental compliance;
Coordinate with MEL team regular data collection, its progress, relying on innovative data gathering methods when appropriate;
Capture the output and outcome level data, document and report the results in timely manner.

Reporting:

Compile the Environmental Compliance reports for the ERA management on a regular basis;
Oversee Environmental Compliance of the awards through the review of reports, correspondence, site visits, etc.
Prepare accurate and timely progress reports on a quarterly basis and contribute to preparation of annual reports;
Perform other duties as assigned by the DCOP and COP.

Job Expectations

In this position, you are expected to share the DAI 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 the cultural diversity and treat everyone everywhere with professionalism and dignity to make the world a better place.

About you

Advanced degree in Ecology, Environmental Management, or relevant field;
Experience in Ukrainian environmental and technical compliance procedures for Agricultural and agricultural products processing enterprises;
Minimum 5 years of relevant professional experience;
Work experience with international companies or donor-funded projects preferred;
Spoken and written fluency in English and Ukrainian is a must;
Experience producing technical reports and managing data;
Demonstrated ability to work and coordinate effectively with a wide variety of stakeholders.

WE OFFER

Contract length: 12-month employment agreement with a possibility of extension.

Benefits: all benefits envisaged by the Labor Code of Ukraine, corporate medical insurance for employees and immediate family members.

Start date: December 2023

Application process

All applicants must send a cover letter and updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English to ukraine@dai.com

Closing date for applications: November 29, 2023.

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