Sector Specialists - Kenya National AGOA Strategy and Action Plan Development at DAI Kenya - Development Alternatives, Inc.

The Objective

The objective of this assignment is to undertake a detailed, highly contextualized analysis of products in each of the potential sectors that Kenya is targeting for export under the AGOA trade agreement. (Each sector specialist will be responsible for analyzing products in a single sector). This analysis will be included in a National AGOA Strategy and Action Plan for Kenya and will become part of the road map for the Government of Kenya to maximize the utilization of the benefits provided by the U.S. Government through AGOA.

Scope and Deliverables

1. High-Level End Market Analysis for Pre-Identified Products

The specialist will conduct a high-level U.S. market analysis for each of the products in his/her respective sector that have been pre-identified based on trade flow data and field research. As the trade flow analysis has identified historical trends in demand for each of the products, this analysis should be forward-looking in nature; projecting future demand for each of the products. Key information will include:

• Market Size
• Specific Market Niches
• Demand Trends (forecasted)
• Assessment of Competition

This information will serve as a key input into the final product selection.

2. Additional Product Recommendations

The specialist will suggest any additional potential products, also based on projected (future) U.S. market demand, that the strategy may want to consider supporting that have not been pre-identified based on trade flow data and field research. For each additional product recommendation, the information in section (1) of the scope should also be addressed.

3. Detailed Analyses for Short-Listed Products Once the final product short-list has been determined by the AGOA working group, sector specialists will be responsible for developing a more detailed analysis for each of the products that correspond to their sector.

4. AGOA Strategy and Action Plan

The sector specialist will provide any information necessary for the formulation of a National AGOA Strategy and Action Plan for the corresponding products. When considering the viability of food products for the AGOA market, attention should be given to any food safety requirements, SPS standards and related certifications that are needed to enter the U.S. market. The action plan should highlight the steps necessary for current and potential manufacturers of these products to meet the relevant rules of origin, as well as any other market-entry requirements.

The Specialist will complete a draft AGOA Strategy and Action Plan to be validated via a stakeholder workshop and which should include the following:

a) Product market analysis, including identification of potential U.S. buyers for the target sector:

b) Short-term and medium-term action plans detailing incremental next steps and designation of government stakeholder responsible;

c) Implementation budget to accompany these action plans.

The Specialist will finalize and deliver the draft report to the Team Leader, AGOA Strategy and Action Plan Development. The report will be shared with Kenyan stakeholders for review. A validation workshop will be held in Kenyan to solicit input on the draft report.

The Recipient

Analyses and action plans will be submitted to the Team Leader, AGOA Strategy and Action Plan Development.

Applicant Qualifications

The Specialist will be responsible for both the analysis and action plan development for products in their sector.

Desired Experience:

An advanced degree in Economics, Business, or related field.

• Ten years of experience in international development, with prior experience in competitiveness analysis, export development, trade promotion and/or AGOA.
• Sound analytical and technical competence, with demonstrated skills in quantitative and qualitative analysis.
• Previous experience in coffee, other specialty foods, aquaculture, cut flowers, handicrafts, textiles, or footwear.
• Good knowledge of international trade in the developing country context, preferably within the East Africa Community (EAC) and/or East and Southern Africa;
• Proven ability to work with cross-cultural teams and complete a multi-stakeholder deliverable that including government and private sector perspectives.
• Strong organizational, analytical and communications skills
• Excellent writing skills

Reporting

The Specialist(s) will report to the Team Leader, AGOA Strategy and Action Plan Development.