Regional East Africa Summer Fancy Food (SFF) Trade Show Consultant

OVERVIEW OF ATI

The USAID Africa Trade and Investment (ATI) activity is designed to bolster the U.S. Government’s ability to boost trade and investment to, from, and within the African continent. The continent-wide program is USAID’s flagship effort in support of the Prosper Africa initiative and will expand and accelerate two-way trade and investment between African nations and the United States.

Prosper Africa is a Presidential-level national security initiative aimed at strengthening the strategic and economic partnership between the U.S. and Africa by catalyzing transformative two-way trade and investment flows.

The USAID Africa Trade and Investment Activity aims to generate higher levels of export sales between Africa and the U.S. in line with the Prosper Africa objectives. One mechanism is through trade promotion activities via a fully integrated array of support services provided before, during, and after trade fair events such as the Summer Fancy Food (SFF) exhibition in New York.

BACKGROUND

The USAID Africa Trade and Investment Kenya East Africa Mission (KEA) seeks to support at least 30 food/beverage sectors firms and engage short-term technical assistance (STTA) to coordinate efforts with ATI to recruit, screen, prepare firms to exhibit in-person at the SFF exhibition (https:// https://www.specialtyfood.com/fancy-food-shows/summer/) taking place between June 23-25 2024, at the Javits Center in New York, United States.

The specialty foods sector represents a growth segment in the U.S. which offers the opportunity for exports at scale from Africa to the U.S. The Summer Fancy Food show is hosted annually in New York and has been in operation for over 60 years with the 2023 show featuring over 2,200 makers /manufacturers from six continents and over 30,000 professionals attending. It also presents an opportunity to highlight products designed or made by women owned or operated companies, contributing to spotlighting women’s economic empowerment.

Building on previous work and successes under the ATI participation at the Summer Fancy Food (SFF) Show 2023, Prosper Africa and USAID will harness the trade shows to create a comprehensive database of verified buyers in the U.S. in the targeted sectors who can easily be accessed by high quality exporters across the African continent, enabling the firms to close deals with minimal support. This initiative will target US buyers in specialty food sectors.

In order to assist USAID Africa Trade and Investment KEA Misson to effectively create export trade linkages between US buyers and African exports, the Activity requires the services of a Regional East African SFF Trade Show Consultant. He/she will deliver these services from Kenya.

RESPONSIBIITIES AND TASKS

The Regional East Africa SFF Trade Show Consultant will provide support to recruit, screen, prepare firms to exhibit in-person at SFF Show and follow-up on post show activities and reporting in collaboration with ATI as follows:

1. Support and coordinate with ATI and the KEA Regional Mission to identify, screen and select export ready and near export ready firms, prepare selected firms to exhibit in-person in advance of the SFF 2024 trade show.
   • Identify East African food sector firms that are Export Ready and Near Export Ready.
   • Raise awareness of the Summer Fancy Foods Show opportunity with export firms and trade associations (Share market opportunities to signal trade prospects – commodities, preferences, terms of trade. etc.)
   • Assist firms to complete the SFF show application form.
   • Collect and coordinate submission of relevant information from exhibitor firms including logos, contact information, addresses, profiles, and photos for Africa Pavilion Look Book.
   • Ensure individual Deal Notes are signed and submitted to ATI in a timely manner.
   • Facilitate visa letter requests.
   • Facilitate insurance payments by export firms.
   • Coordinate the payment of co-contributions from the export firms.
   • In collaboration with the ATI Trade and activity teams provide overall support to exhibitor firms from the region.
   • Coordinate the participation of firms in preparatory webinars.
   • In collaboration with ATI, follow up with firms post the Trade show on generated leads and potential deal pipelines.
2. Reports
   • Deliver cumulative Bi-weekly, quarterly, and terminal activity and status reports on progress achieved, challenges, and next steps pre ad post SFF Participation.

DELIVERABLES

1. Report on activities undertaken to raise awareness of the SFF Show opportunity with export firms and trade associations.

• A report on activities carried out to reach and inform about SFF show opportunities including list of firms and trade associations. Due date: April 15, 2024.

1. A list and profiles of selected food sector firms from countries covered by USAID Kenya East Africa Regional Mission.

In collaboration with ATI and the Kenya East Africa Regional Mission, prepare a list and profiles of at least 30 firms with completed selection checklist. Due Date: April 15, 2024

1. Application forms from East African export firms. Due Date: May 1, 2024
2. A final list of signed Deal notes, by selected firms.

• Co-ordinate, assist and finalize signing of deal notes. Due Date: May 1, 2025

1. Deliver required information to produce the Africa Fine Foods Pavilion Look Book

• Collect and coordinate submission of relevant information from exhibitor firms including logos, contact information, addresses, profiles, and photos. Due Date: May 15, 2024

1. Report on facilitation provided for Visa applications lodged by exhibitors with relevant U.S. Consulates
   • Coordinate with ATI and the Regional Mission to facilitate visa support requirements. Due Date: June 1, 2024
2. Bi-Weekly updates and final activity and status report.

Reporting on status of various support activities and key accomplishments, plus status as stated in the SOW (Scope of Work). Share a biweekly written recap (such as via email) on updates or progress, culminating. Due Date: Starting May 30,202 and Ending August 31, 2024

1. Post Show monitoring Activities. Due Date: On the 15th and last day of the month.
2. Post webinar reports.
3. A monthly deal pipeline summary.
4. Report on Success Stories. Due Date: July 15, 2024

Important Note: Where contact with any government agencies is required, only a designated USAID officer can initiate communication with the government agency.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in agriculture, business, marketing, economics, or related field.
• 10 years progressively responsible work experience in the food sector including some years in promotion and/or buying function.
• Senior level experience with Kenyan and East African food sector firms, managing trade promotion, export sales, supply chain, merchandising, production, or logistics.
• Able to write reports and presentations using MS Office Suite applications.
• Fluency in spoken and written English.

Desirable

• Post graduate degree or professional qualification in business administration, agriculture, marketing, economics or another relevant field.
• International work experience, particularly in Kenya and East African countries.
• Training and public speaking experience.
• Relevant specialized experience in specific food products.
• Fluency in Spoken and written French.

Reporting

TheRegional East Africa SFF Trade Show Consultant will report to the East Africa Regional Director working closely with the Trade Advisor.

ABOUT DAI

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.