Private Sector Engagement Specialist

Job Description

PRIVATE SECTOR ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST

*Must be a Ugandan citizen to apply.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Private Sector Engagement Specialist, under J.E. Austin Associates, Inc. (JAA), a subcontractor, will provide technical support to the Contractor during implementation of the Activity. S/he will work with Industry Apex Organizations (IAOs) and support public private dialogue facilitation and institutional linkage building. JAA has assisted business and government leaders to implement strategic changes designed to achieve rapid growth that is economically, politically, socially and environmentally sustainable.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS:

The Private Sector Engagement Specialist will support the ISS Activity through the following tasks and responsibilities:

• Foster and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with the private sector in Uganda, particularly with their representatives in IAOs. This includes planning meetings, events, and other activities to support IAOs, facilitate PPD, and build institutional linkages.
• Identify and analyze opportunities for collaboration with IAOs on policy reform and systems improvement. Assist with identifying incentives to improve collaboration amongst IAOs, MDAs, and other agriculture market systems actors in Uganda.
• Organize and facilitate public-private dialogues (PPDs) on agriculture policy issues and strengthen multi-stakeholder dialogue platforms and the MDAs’ and IAOs’ ability to host them. Support linkages with research institutions and other experts to participate in PPDs.
• Champion and follow up on policy issues that result from the PPDs to support private sector policy reform.

· Support IAOs to strengthen their communication and collaboration with private sector organizations, companies, and farmers, as well as amongst themselves. This includes coordinating information sharing, establishing Communities of Practice, working groups, forums, and other mechanisms.

• Assist with the evaluation of IAOs as partners, perform OCAs on the IAOs, assist the IAOs to identify priority issues, and support interventions to address these issues.
• Facilitate the implementation of capacity-building training for IAOs, including business modeling, leadership and governance, finance management, financial modeling, evidence-based advocacy, HR/administration, MEL, and other needs as identified. This includes the evaluation and management of BDSPs, think tanks, and other partners who can provide capacity-building services, as well as providing training for IAO staff where applicable.
• Contribute to the development of strategies, work plans, and outreach related to private sector engagement, PPD, strengthening IAOs, and linking institutions.
• Collaborate with MEL and technical team members to strengthen data collection and monitoring to ensure that activities in private sector engagement, PPD, IAO strengthening, and linking institutions are tracked toward KPIs. Assist with reporting on program progress and contribute to the Activity’s learning agenda.
• Contribute to annual work planning, training plans, quarterly reports, and other required technical reports.
• Stay up-to date on global best practices, new developments, and emerging issues in private sector engagement, PPD, strengthening IAOs and linking institutions.
• Any other responsibilities as required by the Private Sector Engagement Manager, Director of Institutional Strengthening and Advocacy, and the Chief of Party.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree in field related to business, management, economics, political science, law, finance, or development studies.
• Five (5) years or more of professional experience in the fields of market systems development, private and public sector stakeholder engagement, private sector development, agri-business management agriculture, economic reform, financial management, business modeling, financial modeling, and/or research and facilitation of adult learning.
• Experience supporting the development of IAOs highly desired.
• Familiarity with, and ability to apply and adapt methods to engage the private sector in policy reforms, advocacy, public-private dialogue, and monitoring implementation of reforms.
• Previous experience supporting USAID funded projects or other development organizations on projects and programs.
• Ability to work well in a team and with minimum supervision.
• Strong written and verbal communications skills.
• Ugandan citizen.
• Oral and written fluency in English.

About the Organization

J.E. Austin Associates (JAA) is a highly respected and innovative development consulting firm that pioneers new approaches and on-the-ground implementation to help developing and emerging economies generate sound and inclusive business-led growth. For 35 years we have helped business and government leadership to achieve rapid growth that is economically, politically, and socially sustainable. We are a proven leader in adapting advanced business tools, management methodologies and analytical techniques to the contextual realities of business and policy environments in less developed and emerging economies. We typically work in over 30 countries each year, in areas such as strategic planning, competitiveness, value chain, entrepreneurship, agribusiness, investment, and workforce development.