Trade Intern – Johannesburg

PROJECT BACKGROUND:

The USAID Africa Trade and Investment (ATI) program 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. Driven by market demand, ATI embraces innovative approaches to achieve its goals. ATI is designed as a small, core set of centrally coordinated technical and institutional support activities, and a large, flexible performance-based subcontracting and grants under contract facility designed to support the needs and opportunities that USAID Missions and the private sector identify.

ROLE’S PURPOSE:

The Trade Intern is a short-term position which will be responsible for providing surge capacity to support the Continental Trade Team in its strategy, market analysis, trade promotion and buyer-supplier activities that lead to intra-Africa and Africa to U.S. exports. Responsibilities include providing technical and management support to continental trade and business enabling environment (AfCFTA) activities, working with the technical and functional teams in developing and closing subcontracts; and managing implementation of buyer-supplier grants and subcontracts leading to exports.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Trade Intern will work with the Senior Technical Directors and continental Activity team to provide support in the following task areas:

• Support Trade Team and others on all matters related to the continental trade and business enabling environment work, including but not limited to technical research, data analysis, contractual, operational, Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL), reporting, and financial matters.
• Provide administrative, procurement, and operational support across all assigned trade private sector partners; ensure trade partners implement their trade activities in accordance with USAID regulations and DAI Procurement policies.
• Liaise with implementing parties to ensure proper M&E data capture and data quality to contribute to overall ATI project M&E reporting and upload the MEL data into MEL database/system.
• Support the development and review of calls for applications/proposals and all related solicitation documentation; work with the Technical Trade team to integrate technical guidance and requirements.
• Assist the Trade Team in undertaking background research, trade show preparations, and preparation of presentations for meetings with USAID and Prosper Africa.
• Participate in regular project partner monitoring and trade team management meetings.
• Carry out any other tasks as requested by the Senior Technical Director.

REPORTING: The Trade Intern will report to the Senior Technical Director.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelors degree in trade, economics, agricultural economics, business administration, or development economics, or any other relevant degree
• Have graduated not earlier than the year 2021.
• Good computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, and Excel)
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Energetic and eager to tackle new projects and ideas.
• Good organizational skills and attention to detail
• Proven research skills with an aptitude for clear and succinct report writing.
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability and eligibility to work in South Africa

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.