Commercial Specialist job at U.S. Embassy Dar es Salaam May, 2022

Commercial Specialist job at U.S. Embassy Dar es Salaam May, 2022

About

Overview

Hiring Path:

• Open to the public

Who May Apply/Clarification From the Agency:

All Interested Applicants / All Sources

Security Clearance Required:

Public Trust – Background Investigation

Appointment Type

Permanent

Appointment Type Details:

Indefinite subject to successful completion of probationary period

Marketing Statement:

We encourage you to read and understand the Eight (8) Qualities of Overseas Employees before you apply.

Summary:

Summary: The U.S. Mission in Dar es Salaam is seeking eligible and qualified applicants for the position of Commercial Specialist in the Foreign Commercial Service Section.  

Supervisory Position:

No

Relocation Expenses Reimbursed:

No

Travel Required:

Occasional Travel

Occasional Travel

Duties

25% Trade facilitation through business matchmaking, including identifying potential partners (incl., distributors, agents, etc.)The incumbent identifies potential distributors, representatives, joint venture partners, or other professional contacts to support U.S. company market-entry strategies. After partner identification, the Commercial Specialist will use persuasion and negotiation skills to secure meetings or exchanges with U.S. firms and foreign partners.  To find appropriate partners, the incumbent uses a wide variety of online resources, in- person networking events, and comprehensive market knowledge. The incumbent will use high-quality written communication (emails, letters), phone introductions, and in-person meetings to develop these relationships. Incumbent will adhere to strict quality control guidelines and standard operating procedures for each type of service, including deadlines for delivery of services.

25% Trade events The incumbent is responsible for proposing and organizing trade missions, expos, seminars, video conferences within assigned sectors. S/he identifies potential buyers through their professional network, organizes delegations to major U.S. trade shows several times per years; organizes expositions of U.S. products and services in key industry sectors; arranges seminars and videoconferences to explain how to do business in Tanzania and best-prospect industries for U.S. companies. Trade event management involves developing budgets for trade events, managing complex details regarding logistics and event formats (timelines, technology), providing educational content, and arranging meetings between prospective buyers and sellers. Events will be performed throughout the year with the goal of introducing U.S. companies to foreign buyers and markets to help them export their products and services.

25% Counselling The incumbent advises U.S. companies on the suitability of their products/services for the local market and effective market-entry strategies. S/he responds to a wide range of inquiries from U.S. firms seeking export information and from Tanzanian companies about sourcing U.S. products and services. S/he prepares talking points and speeches and gives presentations about U.S. Commercial Service programs and bilateral trade relations to business and government audiences in the U.S. and host country. The incumbent must stay up-to-date on regulatory matters affecting assigned sectors, market trends and market dynamics in assigned sectors and their effects on bilateral and international trade. These include laws, regulations, standards, procedures, and other legal matters. The incumbent will transmit this knowledge in written and verbal form to U.S. clients.

15% Trade Contacts and Market Development The incumbent serves as principal advisor to the Senior Commercial Officer in assigned industry sectors. In this capacity s/he develops and maintains a wide array of reliable contacts vital to U.S. commercial interests, including senior level government officials, top executives in banking, commerce, industry, and trade associations. S/he uses these contacts to identify and resolve trade barriers and trade complaints and to identify market opportunities and potential partners for U.S. companies. The incumbent makes recommendations to assure maximum promotion of U.S. exports and communicating the complex factors in the changing political and economic landscape, as well as foreign competition and cultural barriers. Incumbent works closely with government officials, trade and industry associations and leading private-sector companies to eliminate non-tariff barriers that may jeopardize U.S. exports. Contact and market development take place throughout the year via personal interactions, social media engagement and outreach to potential business partners in verbal and written form. To increase trade contacts and disseminate information about market development, the incumbent will be responsible for updating the commercial service web site to reflect market opportunities and events.

10% Market Research Market research involves synthesizing information about Tanzanian market sectors into digestible market research reports used by U.S. companies to determine how to be successful in multiple industry sectors. The incumbent prepares factually accurate market studies for assigned sectors, analyzing statistics and forecasting trends in trade, production and market-growth potential. Sources of information include government reports and contacts; industry and trade association reports and contacts; reputable consultancy reports; multilateral development bank reports and statistics. When official information isn’t readily available, incumbent uses industry contacts to estimate data. Incumbent prepares short market research on changing laws and regulations as well as the comprehensive annual commercial guide to the local market.

Job holder will perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Evaluations

Requirements:

Prior Work Experience: A minimum of five years of progressively responsible work experience in business or government in the field of marketing, trade promotion, sales, international trade or international business administration, economics, research, or economic development.

 

Education Requirements:

Education: Bachelor’s degree in business management or administration, marketing, finance, international trade, economics, accounting, supply chain management, or engineering is required.

Evaluations:

Language: Fluency (reading, speaking, and writing) in English is required and Fluency working knowledge (reading, speaking, and writing) in Kiswahili is required.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• • Strong oral and written communications skills are required to provide counseling to U.S. and local clients.

• • Strong leadership skills are required to lead results-driven projects and programs.

• • Computer software skills that include working with Microsoft Office, Word, and Excel, or equivalent productivity software, are required.

• • Must be able to work in a high-impact, high-productivity environment with minimal supervisory oversight.

• • Strong organizational skills are required to handle multiple tasks and priorities at once.

• • Strong interpersonal skills are required to work successfully with wide variety of clients and stakeholders.

• • Good customer services skills are required.

• • Must possess basic numerical skills.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO):  The U.S. Mission provides equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment in employment to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, marital status, or sexual orientation.

Qualifications:

All applicants under consideration will be required to pass medical and security certifications.

How to Apply

How to Apply:

To apply for this position, applicants MUST apply electronically via ERA. 

For more information, visit this link https://tz.usembassy.gov/embassy/jobs/ 

Required Documents:

To qualify based on education, you MUST submit the requested degree and / or transcripts as verification of educational requirement by the closing date of this announcement. Failure to provide requested information, or the information is insufficient to verify eligibility, may result in disqualification for this position.

All Applicants:

• Bachelor’s degree in business management or administration, marketing, finance, international trade, economics, accounting, supply chain management, or engineering is required.
• Degree with transcript
• National Identification Card (NIDA)
• Proof of Citizenship (VOTERS CARD OR PASSPORT)
• Other Document 

 

Next Steps:

What to Expect Next:  Applicants who are invited to take a language or skills test, or who are selected for an interview will be contacted only via email.  Thank you for your application and your interest in working at the U.S. Mission in Tanzania.