EMDAP currently seeks to place an EMDAP Adviser (Value Chain Analyst) in Value Chain Analysis to support the "Development of Communities through Intensive Agriculture (DOCIA)" Project's efforts to build and strengthen horticulture value chains and increase the role of the private sector in rural agriculture development in Dili, Timor-Leste. To achieve this goal, the Value Chain Analyst will work alongside Dezenvolve Agricultura Comunitaria Project (DAC) staff in developing and promoting a business case for accelerating investment in the input supply, trade, and wholesale links of the value chain. The Value Chain Analyst will directly carry out these activities, while building the capacity of value chain stakeholders to continue accomplishing similar analysis and market development independently.
Objectives:
The DAC project works to develop all aspects of the horticulture value chain in Timor-Leste. To date, the project emphasis has been at the producer level, and the development of a vertically integrated value chain with a single commercial buyer. While this model has been successful, the next phase of DAC’s activities will diversify the client base and will require more development at each step of the value chain to enable successful expansion of the number of farmers producing for a commercial market. The Value Chain Analyst will work alongside DAC staff in developing and promoting the “business case” for accelerating investment in the input supply, trade, and wholesale links of the value chain. The Value Chain Analyst will directly carry out these activities, while building the capacity of value chain stakeholders to continue accomplishing similar analysis and market development independently.
Responsibilities:
All responsibilities will be undertaken in conjunction with DAC staff, to ensure that the EMDAP Adviser understands the Timor-Leste context and has access to necessary information. The EMDAP Adviser will work with DAC staff in completing the responsibilities below, and building capacity for similar activities to be conducted independently in the future. Specific examples of developing and promoting the “business case” for investment in the horticulture value chain include:
- Financial analysis (profitability and competitiveness) of various products within the horticulture value chain in Timor-Leste.
- Estimate of unmet market demand for agricultural inputs for horticultural production
- Development of market information regarding large institutional buyers of horticulture products
- Analysis of vegetable import statistics
- Assistance to horticulture buyers to better plan and manage fresh produce inventory
- Analysis and promotion of DAC horticulture market research
Desired skills and previous work experience needed to perform duties:
Skills and experience in -
- Business planning and financial analysis
- Market research
- Small business management or consulting to small businesses
Eligibility:
Applicants must -
- Hold a U.S. passport
- Worked a minimum of two - three years in such areas as: management, marketing, banking, finance, management, NGO or private sector experience, consulting, etc.
- Be recent graduates (within 5 years) of a master’s degree program (MA, MBA, MPP, MIA, etc.)
OR current students who will have completed their first year of graduate coursework from an accredited U.S. university program in any field of study.
Language Requirement:
English, Tetum or Bahasa Indonesian preferred.
Work background:
A required minimum of two - three years previous work experience in such areas as: corporate, private sector, NGO management, Peace Corps, consulting, or small business management.
Required Skills:
Microsoft Office, business training, research, and excellent communication skills.
Application Information:
Interested candidates should contact Aaron Mitich at amitich@iie.org for the selection procedures.
Salary:
EMDAP Stipend according to USAID allocation costs for Dili, Timor-Leste – specific details will be provided to those candidates that will interview.
Job Title: Value Chain Analyst
Location: Dili, Timor-Leste
Start Date: January 2013
EMDAP Alumnus - Ana Luisa Pinto
Assignment: Mexico
Year: 2006-2007
Ana Luisa Pinto, a graduate of Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs, provided technical assistance as a Marketing Adviser for a local Microfinance Institution, Alternativa Solidaria Chiapas (AlSol) in Chiapas, Mexico.
During her assignment, Ms. Pinto improved the institutional capacity of AlSol by creating a permanent Marketing Department, implementing market research initiatives to make informed decisions and improve client relationships and retention. To ensure sustainability she also trained a Marketing Manager to lead the department and continue the initiatives she started.
In the past, Ms. Pinto has worked as a Marketing Advisor with the Peace Corps in Guatemala and as a consultant with Catholic Relief Services, FINCA International, and the Grameen Foundation USA. Currently, Ms. Pinto works for QED Group, LLC, serving as the Regional Portfolio Manager for Latin America and the Caribbean in USAID’s EGAT Bureau’s Office of Development Credit. She monitors the utilization, risk exposure, and any implementation issues of credit guarantees with partner banks and MFIs in the region.
Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2012, The Emerging Markets Development Advisers Program (EMDAP), formerly known as the "Free Market Development Advisers Program (FMDAP)" began, shortly after the fall of the Berlin Wall, to assist businesses and business serving association in Eastern Europe. USAID recognized the need to maximize expertise in emerging markets to broaden the scope of the world economy. To date, 250 Advisers have participated in the program, providing assistance to over 200+ businesses and organizations in 49 USAID-assisted countries. EMDAP continues to assist organizations around the world as a USAID implementing partner.
EMDAP Alumnus - Greg Swarin
Assignment: Jordan
Year: 2006-2007
Greg Swarin, a graduate of George Washington University’s Elliot School of International Affairs and a former Peace Corps volunteer in the Kingdom of Tonga, served as a Program Officer for the Business Development Center (BDC) in Jordan. Specifically, he worked with the TATWEER Business & Export Development Project for Jordanian Enterprises.
In this role, he served as a liaison between Jordanian enterprises and US companies, institutions and universities. He spearheaded the implementation of a partnership between the Thunderbird School of Global Management and the BDC. The partnership, “Friends of Success”, allowed Thunderbird MBA students to conduct short-term consultancies with local small and medium enterprises in Jordan. The program has since grown to provide opportunities for Jordanian MBA students to study in the USA. He also managed a regional business development conference which resulted in a $25,000 profit for the BDC.
Mr. Swarin is currently a USAID Program and Project Development Officer in the Regional Development Mission for Asia in Bangkok, Thailand. He is also member of the second class of USAID’s Development Leadership Initiative (DLI).
EMDAP Alumnus - James Lykos
Assignment: Armenia
Year: 2008-2009
James Lykos, a former Peace Corps volunteer in Georgia, served as a Senior Adviser to the American Chamber of Commerce in Armenia. As the Senior Adviser, Mr. Lykos improved the overall sustainability of the organization by spearheading the recruitment of an Executive Director and transforming the organizational newsletter into a widely distributed revenue generating magazine. Along with the Executive Director, he played a key role in: lobbying the Armenian government and Tax and Customs Officials to form a more equitable customs regime; creating CSR initiatives by linking Armenian companies with international development organizations; and organizing franchising and CSR conferences. Most importantly, his support led to higher member retention and membership increase.
Mr. Lykos previously worked for an Export Consortium researching the international landscape in fuel cell development as well as for PSI as a Sales Team Trainer in Kigali, Rwanda.
Mr. Lykos is now a USAID Private Enterprise Development Officer and will be deployed shortly to Mali. He is also a member of the fifth class of USAID’s Development Leadership Initiative (DLI).