JOB DETAILS:
The Government of the Republic of Uganda represented by the Ministry of Finance and Planning and Economic Development (MoFED), in collaboration with the International Development Association (IDA) and other development partners including; the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Sweden is implementing the Industrial Transformation and Employment (INVITE) project. The Project is financed by the International Development Association and a Multi Donor Trust Fund (MDTF).
The Export Firm Support (EFS) is under Component three (3) of INVITE and focuses on developing firm capacity and expanding access to market opportunities through different interventions targeting exporters (and potential exporters) to identify export opportunities and meet consumer demand through specialized support.

Purpose of the Assignment :
The project plans to support exporters and potential exporters with the assistance of local and international consultants. These advisory services will help firms identify export opportunities and meet consumers’ demands through specialized technical assistance and capacity-building activities. Specialized overseas consultants will also be made available, should firms need to gain knowledge about how importing processes work in foreign markets. The program targets exporters and potential exporters of manufactured and semi-manufactured products with some value added (commodities are excluded).
The specific areas for support under the Export Firm Support (EFS) program, will be prioritized by the exporting/potential exporter firm managers with the objective of focusing on those areas where the returns in terms of exports volumes and values are higher. The supported interventions will be implemented over 12 months. In addition to consulting support services from local consultants, firms may receive support from consultants established in the target markets and who have knowledge and access to specific clients and will also act as mentors and assist firms to identify and contact potential clients.

The EFS will focus on formal private business entities that are legally established and headquartered in Uganda and with established business interests in the targeted manufacturing and semi-manufacturing sectors.

Objectives of the Assignment:
The objective of this assignment is to ensure timely implementation of the Export Firm Support program in accordance with laid down procedures, guidelines and ensure the highest level of honesty, integrity and transparency in supporting eligible businesses. The Business Advisor Exports– EFS shall be responsible for mapping all trade institutional, regulations, and legislations requirements related to the conformity and compliance of manufactured and semi manufactured products with the international market access requirements under the project. The Business Advisor Exports - EFS will work with prospective businesses and the International Market and Export Advisory Services (International Consultants) to identify the major trade partners and evaluate their market access regulations, assess the needed changes in regulations or procedures and draw recommendations. The Business Advisor Exports – EFS will also set up a trade map summarizing manufactured and semi manufactured export products down to partner country whenever it is relevant.

Scope of Work:
• Undertake of mapping all trade institutional, regulations, and legislations requirements related to the conformity and compliance of manufactured and semi manufactured export products with the international market access requirements.
• Provide business development services to exporting manufacturing firms with an objective to increase exports to high value markets or identify new high value markets.

• Carry out research and provide expert advice to firms on developing export strategies, product improvement standards, certification, and systems etc.
• Provide expert advice to the manufacturing industry players on the export policy shifts in the identified target markets and advise on the required policy advocacy approaches.

• Work closely with the PSFU secretariat to identify existing barriers affecting performance of exports and led export policy analysis with other stakeholders on how to address them.

• Build a pipeline of manufacturing and semi manufacturing companies to be supported by the project.
• Play a proactive role in the key private sector identified trade promotion initiatives such as events, forums, missions among others.
• Work with Uganda Export Promotion Board and other regulatory agencies to facilitate the export of goods and services from Uganda to the identified market destination. s/he will work directly with companies that want to sell their products in other countries.

• Actively contribute to the day-to-day operations of project. Adopting an effective relationship management and a consultative approach to working with existing businesses.
• Lead, deliver and communicate quality performance reporting for the developing exporting firms’ capacities by producing periodic reports to be used by various stakeholders.

• Identify the major trade partners and evaluate their market access regulations.
• Assess the needed changes in regulations or procedures and draw recommendations.
• Set up a trade map summarizing export requirements down to partner country and category of products whenever it is relevant.
• Analyze export data and identify key requirements to comply with export conditions of manufactured and semi manufactured products.

• Work closely with specialized overseas consultants and business consultants to support the MSMEs acquire expert knowledge on the exporting processes and procedures in the export markets.

Qualification and experience:
The Business Advisor Exports - EFS shall have a track record of providing trade-related technical information and guidance to both the public and private sector institutions. The Advisor shall specifically have the following requirements:
• A graduate Degree (Master or equivalent) in Economics, Public Policy, Business Administration, International Trade, or a related field from a recognized University.
• At least 5 years engagement in trade facilitation activities including trade promotion activities, trade policy activities and foras.
• Demonstrated knowledge of export procedures, processes, trade laws and customs procedures for the key market destinations for Ugandan exports.
• Wide knowledge and strong skills and experience in converting large volumes of data into information and actionable analysis.
• Demonstrated communication skills included proficiency in English Languages.
• Proven skills managing and exploiting large data sets, preferably related to learning assessments.
• Proven degree of integrity, confidentiality, versatility and clean record in financial management.
• Possession of certifications on export procedures, customs facilitation procedures and presence on national trade promotion committees and engagements will be added advantage.

Key Results /Outputs
• Timely preparation and submission baseline & impact assessment reports
• Periodic work plans and budgets drafted
• Periodic program progress reports drafted
• Drafted analytical trade export reports

Reporting:
The Business Advisor Exports – EFS component shall report to the Component Manager-EFS.