Policy Specialist for USAID Rural Competitiveness and Resilience Activity (RCRA) in Moldova

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

 Chemonics International Inc. seeks highly qualified candidates for the long-term position of Policy Specialist for USAID Rural Competitiveness and Resilience Activity (RCRA) in Moldova. Chemonics International Inc. (www.chemonics.com) is a U.S.-based international consulting firm providing expertise in developing and emerging-market countries since 1975.

Background:

 The USAID Rural Competitiveness and Resilience Activity (RCRA) goal is to stimulate a sustainable and inclusive recovery from the regional crisis brought on by the latest Russian invasion of Ukraine and accelerate an inclusive, climate-resilient economic development of rural Moldova by protecting the development gains made with USAID support over the past decade and further stimulate the competitiveness of key economic sectors, including the wine industry, high-value agriculture, and tourism.

The objectives of the activity are:

1. Accelerated export diversification and Western market integration in targeted sectors

2. Enhanced economic resilience of small and medium enterprises in targeted sectors

3. Improved sector enabling environment to facilitate resilience and Western integration.

Position Description:

 The Policy Specialist will support overall project activities aimed at enhancing the enabling environment for growth and development with a particular focus on the high-value agriculture sector. Additionally, the role involves advocating for policy reforms either directly or on behalf of project beneficiaries.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities (Essential Functions):

 Principal duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Build industry associations’ capacity to prepare high-quality position papers to advocate for sectoral reforms.
• Facilitate public-private policy dialogue to ensure private sector has an opportunity to voice their issues and advocate for reforms that will address private sector needs.
• Leverage government relationships to improve the enabling environment for agriculture sector development.
• Support and/or contribute to drafting relevant sectoral policy reforms driven by private sector needs.
• Draft agricultural policy analysis papers and policy reforms which are benchmarked with international best practices.
• Play an active role in project work planning and activity design.
• Develop and maintain long-lasting partnerships with key agricultural sector stakeholders as producers’ associations and organizations and their members, public authorities as Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry, National Food Safety Agency, the Agency of Intervention and Payments in Agriculture, National Agency for Land Improvements, etc.
• Design and conduct trainings that are tailored to the programmatic needs of RCRA activities.
• Incorporate gender considerations into relevant program activities.
• Work with M&E Manager as appropriate.
• Assist with locating and recommending relevant short-term consultants.
• Conduct other activities as directed by the Enabling Environment Director and/or Chief of Party
• Establish and maintain positive work relationships with relevant stakeholders.
• Respect and abide by all the internal regulations of the Representative Office, as expressed in the Chemonics International Field Office Policy Manual.

 Qualifications:

 Bachelor’s degree in law and/or international law or public administration;

• Strong understanding and experience working with legal documentation such as policy and legal papers and national legislation in agriculture;
• Strong understanding and experience working with public and private sector stakeholders relevant to agriculture;
• Superior attention to detail, ability to explain complex concepts, and regulative aspects of the national legislation;
• Ability to follow directions while also working independently;
• Ability to manage multiple ongoing projects at once;
• Adaptable and willing to learn new skills as needed;
• Experience in analyzing budgets, strongly preferred;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word;
• Excellent English and Romanian written and oral proficiency. Willingness and ability to work in the English language, with strong English writing skills;

• Excellent interpersonal communication and mediation skills; team-player;
• Proven ability to work professionally and constructively as part of team, meet deadlines, communicate effectively, and deal with diverse partners in challenging environments.

Reporting:

 The Policy Specialist will report to the Enabling Environment Director.

  Application instructions

Please send an email with the cover letter and CV attached and “Policy Specialist” in the subject line to MDA-RCRA-Recruit@chemonics.md by December 27, 2024. No telephone inquiries, please. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Only finalists will be contacted.

Chemonics is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factors.

Chemonics values the protection of your personal data. If you are in the European Union, please read our EU Recruiting Data Privacy Notice to learn how we process personal data. You may access the notice via the following link: https://chemonics.com/eu-recruiting-data-privacy-notice/.