Private Sector Associate STTA

Activity Background

The USAID Responsible Investment and Trade Activity is a five-year (2020 – 2025) activity that will work with a broad range of international and domestic private sector firms and civil society actors to promote civilian ownership of the Myanmar economy by increasing the share held by responsible, accountable, and transparent firms. Through the Activity, USAID will increase trade and private sector investment. To attract and sustain investment and trade, the Activity is supporting firms operating in or entering the market in Myanmar to improve corporate governance, business transparency, and competitiveness.

DAI Organization and Values

DAI is a global development company with corporate offices in the United States, the United Kingdom, EU, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Palestine and project operations worldwide. We tackle fundamental social and economic development problems caused by inefficient markets, ineffective governance, and instability. DAI works on the frontlines of global development. Transforming ideas into action—action into impact. We are committed to shaping a more livable world.

DAI and its employees are committed to confronting racism and holding ourselves accountable for positive change within the company and in the communities, cultures, and countries in which we live and work. DAI is committed to attracting and retaining the best employees from all races and backgrounds in our continued effort to become a better development partner.

DAI upholds the highest ethical standards. We are committed to the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment as well as other ethical breaches. All of our positions are therefore subject to stringent vetting and reference checks.

DAI is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer with a commitment to diversity. DAI does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, parental status, veteran status, or other non-merit factors.

Consultant Title: Private Sector Associate Consultant

Project: USAID Responsible Investment and Trade Activity (the Activity)

Location: Remote

Reports to: Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Manager or the designee

Overview of the Position

DAI seeks a Private Se­­ctor Associate Consultant with strong communication skills to support a range of tasks in corporate governance, finance and control, corporate accountability through civil society and media, private sector advocacy, trade promotion and facilitation, and investment support across various sectors and geographies in Myanmar. S/he may have experience conducting primary and secondary research and writing summary reports with conclusions and recommendations to support its USAID Responsible Investment and Trade Activity (the Activity) in Myanmar. The Private Sector Associate will work closely with technical teams within and across technical areas in implementing research, evidence generation, and report writing. The consultant will be responsible for preliminary and comprehensive vetting, as well as writing memos for each vetting request as needed. S/he needs to provide other support to the technical team for the Activity to realize its objectives of increasing investment and trade and improving domestic corporate governance, business transparency, and competitiveness of firms operating in or entering the market in Myanmar.

Under the supervision and guidance of the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Manager, the Consultant will work within a team of approximately 28 professionals to perform a variety of tasks related to identifying and collecting information on companies and organizations, which may include but are not limited to the following:

• Responsible for conducting preliminary and full screening of companies, organizations, and relevant individuals through online primary research and reviewing/analyzing reports generated from third-party databases.
• Conduct primary and secondary research on various topics that relate to the technical areas of the Activity.
• Collect the required information from the respective team to conduct the information verification process and write a memo.
• Collaborate with the Technical team in gathering the evidence from the targeted program activities and provide inputs into the evidence-based deliverables and reports.
• Collaborate with the Investment and Technical Assistance Facility (ITAF) and Operation teams to do research for verification of a company, organization, or individual.
• Document all the findings and key results in SharePoint folders for each company/organization and notify the respective staff via Asana.
• Review all the findings in a case report, conduct further research and write a memo as needed.
• Create a comprehensive tracking sheet of the research activities in the database and update it on a regular basis.
• Review documents and reports to ensure high quality.
• Write summary reports with conclusions and recommendations based on research.
• Accountable for providing input into deliverables and reports.
• Responsible for developing detailed terms of reference and scopes of work for local consultants.
• Maintain files and documentation for project activities.
• Other tasks as assigned.

Qualifications

• BA/BS in Economics, Business, or Marketing studies or a related field or relevant experience; Advanced degree in Business, Economics, or Marketing studies is desirable
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in conducting surveys, data collection, research and report writing.
• At least five years of professional experience that demonstrates a working knowledge of any or all of the following technical areas: investment, finance and accounting, trade promotion and facilitation, corporate governance, corporate finance, business journalism, and project management.
• Competent business analytical and research skills (primary and secondary research).
• Ability to work efficiently and deliver high-quality deliverables within the time allocated.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills and writing ability.
• Proven knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Skills, etc.
• Private sector experience is a plus, especially in Myanmar
• Ability to operate in a cross-cultural environment requiring flexibility and the ability to multitask with tight deadlines. English and Burmese fluency is required.