Commercial Specialist Job at American Embassy , Tanzania

Commercial Specialist

CLOSING DATE OF THE POSITION: September 24, 2014

ALL ORDINARILY RESIDENT (OR) APPLICANTS MUST HAVE THE REQUIRED WORK AND/OR RESIDENCY PERMITS TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION. 

The US Embassy is seeking an individual for the position of Commercial Specialist for the Department of Commerce. 

BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION 

The incumbent supports the Senior Commercial Officer and the Commercial Service globally in promoting U.S. exports to Tanzania. Major duties include, but are not limited to: Follows and analyzes economic and commercial developments in country. Responsible for all CS activities associated with assigned market sectors and general knowledge of priority sectors for the country. Plans, organizes and executes the promotion of CS products and core fee-based services. Coordinates major trade exhibitions, seminars, conferences, product launches and trade missions. Conducts market research for trade shows, trade missions, and client services. Monitors and reports on trade opportunities and trends/changes within assigned market sectors. Researches and writes major portions of the Country Commercial Guide (CCG) and writes periodic International Marketing Insights and similar Commercial Service reports. Provides initial technical review of the CCG for accuracy, clarity, completeness and grammatical presentation. Compiles, interprets and analyzes market intelligence data in order to exploit it in the promotion of CS activities in assigned sectors and best prospect sectors. Demonstrates, builds and maintains an extensive range of mid to senior-level contacts in business and government. Counsels clients on their potential for export success. Conducts pre and post license export checks and reports back to Washington, D.C. The incumbent handles complex trade complaints, especially from U.S. companies. Assists and advises the Senior Commercial Officer on complex Tanzanian government tenders and associated commercial advocacy projects on behalf of U.S. companies. Assists the Senior Commercial Officer with senior-level Commerce Department official visits to Tanzania. Mentors junior staff on Commercial Service policies and procedures. Serves as a team leader for more extensive projects, and may be requested to supervise and/or provide training to junior staff in all aspects related to the work of a Commercial Specialist.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

A. CS Products and Core Fee Based Services

25%

Conducts business matchmaking and promotes and carries out CS products and services: Identifies distributors, for Gold Key Services (GKS), Platinum Key Services (PKS), Initial Market Checks (IMC), Business Facilitation Services (BFS) and International Partner Searches (IPS) and prepares company background checks for International Company Profiles (ICP). Plans, organizes and implements trade missions and individual Gold Key visits by making critical business appointments according to the marketing objectives of the Trade Mission or the individual business traveler. Analyzes the marketing objectives of the participants; seeks out and verifies current market information from industry and trade sources that match these objectives. Solicits interest from local firms by conducting extensive telephone and email campaigns and outside visits to interested parties (agents, distributors, buyers and joint venture partners) who may wish to meet with members of visiting trade delegations and/or the individual Gold Key client in appropriate group or individual site visits. Responsibilities include coordination among American clients and U.S. district offices, global CS teams, and other CS Sub Saharan Africa posts. Develops and maintain a database for all program activities and contacts in Tanzania.

B. Client Counseling, Advice and Briefing

20%

Counsels U.S. business people and provides advice on market opportunities (both public and private sector opportunities) in Tanzania, local business laws and regulations, key government and industry contacts, government-industry linkages, and sector issues pertaining to Tanzanian-U.S. trade and business relations that merit close monitoring and detailed analysis, with the purpose helping the visiting company develop an appropriate marketing strategy for Tanzania. Responds to the more complex and important communications received from local and U.S. business organizations, which are of an unusual nature and scope deserving special handling, confidentiality and display of proper judgment. Renders advice, information, encouragement and counsel to Tanzanian businessmen as it pertains to promoting U.S. trade in assigned and best prospect sectors and identifying U.S. suppliers. Supports local buyers groups intending to visit the United States and encourages and promotes their participation in U.S. trade shows and exhibition. 

Counsels Senior Commercial Officer on a range of commercial and economic issues and provides advice and support during commercial strategy development and execution. Provides guidance on norms for doing business in Tanzania and strategies for interacting with government and private sector decision makers. At times, represents Senior Commercial Officer in his/her absence.

C. Market Research and Market Intelligence

20%

Performs a range of research-related activities. In assigned sectors prepares market studies, analyzing statistics and forecasting trends in trade, production and markets, assuring the maximum degree of accuracy, completeness and reliability in the final report. Sources of information include official government contacts and reports, industry and trade association contacts and reports, trade directories, and web sites. When formal statistical information does not exist, uses contacts in industry and government and own good judgment and analytical ability to estimate data. Writes analytical reports indicating how the host country’s complex laws, policies, and business practices affect U.S. trade and investment. Assists in development of the post’s annual market research plan and helps ensure timely completion. The range of market studies produced includes Customized Market Analysis (CMA), Industry Sector Analysis, International Market Insight, Flexible Market Research (FMR) and the Country Commercial Guide (CCG). Occasionally such reports or parts thereof, are performed by outside contractors, in which case the incumbent selects and supervises the contractors and reviews the final report for conformity with CS quality standards.

D. Trade Events

15%

Advises on the development of post’s annual event calendar, proposing trade events (trade missions, exhibitions, seminars, videoconferences, etc.), both within assigned sector(s) of responsibility and with a view toward maximizing best prospect opportunities for U.S. goods and services in Tanzania. Works to implement events as the leader of a team that includes promotion, recruitment, and administrative staff (team may include Department of Commerce HQ staff, other Embassy sections, as well as trade associations and/or trade fair authorities). Assumes hands-on or oversight responsibility for organizing logistics and event/meeting schedules, preparing promotional materials, drafting market research and briefing materials, preparing and monitoring budgets, supervising contractors, managing promotion and recruitment, preparing end-of-show reports, and following up to identify and report success stories. Incumbent also tracks client satisfaction and uses results to propose and implement improvements for future events, products, services, and procedures. In trade missions led by high-ranking USG officials, the incumbent works closely with the USG official’s office to prepare the official agenda and the event scenarios, as well as advise on local policy and procedures. Identifies the most important trade exhibits in the U.S. and organizes groups of host country firms to attend them. Briefs local buyer groups on business practices and advises them in partnering with appropriate U.S. firms. After completion of trade events, conducts follow-up on post event activities, such as responding to inquiries generated during the event (trade leads), consolidates and writes export success summaries, enters new contacts into the Client Tracking System (CTS) database and prepares brief international market intelligence reports (IMIs) from information gathered. Reports on selected trade opportunities, major projects, and tender announcements which are not of a routine nature and merit special attention. Responsible for trade promotion budgets of $20 -30,000/year.

E. Sector Management, Coordination and Tracking

15%

Directly responsible for monitoring and reporting trade opportunities, preparing marketing and sector opportunity reports including trends and changes within the major Tanzanian business sectors. Interacts with business organizations, chambers of commerce, trade and industry associations, and other multiplier agencies. Actively participates in, and attends seminars, symposia, and other forms of business, industry-government interaction. Exercises initiative in developing strategies and coordinating efforts with U.S. business groups, the Embassy and other interest groups to address market access and policy barriers to the Tanzanian market. Works effectively with USAID, OPIC, USTDA, MCC and EX-Bank and other Trade Promotion Coordinating Council (TPCC) members to develop, support and implement global and market development export initiatives (such as Power Africa, Trade Africa and the Doing Business in Africa Campaign). Networking and Contacts: Initiates and maintains critical relationships with mid-level Government of Tanzania officials. Cultivates and maintains contacts with purchasing and general managers of Tanzanian private companies. Actively promotes and documents commercial successes.

F. Commercial and Administrative Support

5%

Actively maintains database list of mid and senior level contacts and contributes to the Post CTS database. Work with this database includes entering new client records as well as manipulating them to produce contact lists for promotional purposes. Also maintains hard copy files for use by self and other commercial service staff on clients contacted. Maintains record of business inquiries phone, fax, letter and electronic), for statistical purposes as well as to ensure that action has been taken in support of trade activities and even being promoted, assists with office support tasks such as fax and email broadcast marketing campaigns. Working with the International Trade Administration’s Bureau of Industry and Security and under guidance from SCO, conducts pre and post export license checks to ensure that controlled export items are appropriately used. Reports back to Washington as necessary. With support of Commercial Assistant designs and creates trade event specific marketing material and advises on office website and electronic promotional efforts.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

All applicants must address each selection criterion detailed below with specific and comprehensive information supporting each item.

1. Education: 
   A bachelor’s degree in economics, accounting, marketing, international trade or business administration.
2. Prior Work Experience: 
   At least four to six years of responsible work experience in a sales, marketing, business management, trade promotion, market/economic research or information management environment within the Tanzanian market is required.
3. Language Proficiency: 
   English: Level IV (fluent) (reading, writing, speaking). Swahili: Level IV (fluent) (reading, writing speaking)
4. Knowledge: 
   Thorough knowledge of the domestic economy, commercial, governmental and industrial structures, business and industry customs and practices and trade and investment laws, regulations and policies. Thorough understanding of Commercial Services’ trade promotion goals, programs and procedures, marketing strategies and reporting requirements or ability to learn them quickly. Thorough knowledge of U.S. business practices.
5. Skills and Abilities: 
   Ability to develop and maintain an extensive range of mid to high-level contacts in the host government and private sector; to plan, organize and execute complex commercial research projects; to prepare precise and accurate reports embodying in-depth analytical evaluations; and to render advice with objectivity and employing sound professional judgment. Use of industry standard word processing, spreadsheet, electronic mail, and information management databases is required. Strong interpersonal, diplomatic and motivational skills are required. Ability to draft accurate and detailed business correspondence requiring minimal editing. Ability to prioritize tasks.

SELECTION PROCESS

When fully qualified, US Citizen Eligible Family Members (USEFMs) and US Veterans are given preference. Therefore, it is essential that the candidate specifically address the required qualifications above in the application. 

ADDITIONAL SELECTION CRITERIA

1. Management will consider nepotism/conflict of interest, budget, and residency status in determining successful candidacy. 

TO APPLY

Interested candidates for this position must submit the following for consideration of the application:

1. Universal Application for Employment as a Locally Employed Staff or Family Member (DS-174). A hard copy of the application form (DS-174) is also available at the American Embassy, gate 3; or
2. A combination of both; i.e. Sections 1 -24 of the UAE along with a listing of the applicant’s work experience attached as a separate sheet; or
3. A current resume or curriculum vitae that provides the same information found on the UAE (see section 3A below for more information); plus
4. Candidates who claim US Veterans preference must provide a copy of their Form DD-214 with their application. Candidates who claim conditional US Veterans preference must submit documentation confirming eligibility for a conditional preference in hiring with their application
5. Any other documentation (e.g., essays, certificates, awards) that addresses the qualification requirements of the position as listed above.

3A. If an applicant is submitting a resume or curriculum vitae, s/he must provide the following information equal to what is found on the UAE. 

Failure to do so will result in an incomplete application.

A. Position Title
B. Position Grade
C. Vacancy Announcement Number (if known) 
D. Dates Available for Work
E. First, Middle, & Last Names as well as any other names used
F. Date and Place of Birth
G. Current Address, Day, Evening, and Cell phone numbers
H. U.S. Citizenship Status (Yes or No) & status of permanent U.S. Resident (Yes or No; if yes, provide number) 
I. U.S. Social Security Number and/or Identification Number
J. Eligibility to work in the country (Yes or No) 
K. Special Accommodations the Mission needs to provide 
L. If applying for position that includes driving a U.S. Government vehicle, Driver’s License Class / Type 
M. Days available to work
N. List any relatives or members of your household that work for the U.S. Government (include their Name, Relationship, & Agency, Position, Location) 
O. U.S. Eligible Family Member and Veterans Hiring Preference 
P. Education 
Q. License, Skills, Training, Membership, & Recognition
R. Language Skills 
S. Work Experience
T. References

SUBMIT APPLICATION TO

American Embassy
Human Resources Office
P.O. Box 9123
Dar es Salaam

POINT OF CONTACT

Telephone: 229 4000, Ext: 4137/4148/4233/4024
Fax: 2294726

CLOSING DATE OF THE POSITION: September 24, 2014.