Job Details
J.E. Austin Associates, Inc. (JAA) was founded in 1986 to focus on poverty reduction and sustainable, socially responsible economic growth for the purpose of assisting businesses, governments, and non-profit organizations. We continue to work towards those goals in projects around the globe including:
- Supporting Ukraine s economy under the stress of conflict
- Piloting interventions to enhance Ghana s bicycle market and overcome rural mobility challenges
- Assisting Egyptian farmers to access finance and access markets
- Facilitating collaboration between tourism businesses in Armenia and Georgia to create new destination experiences
- Encouraging Moldova s digital transformation through new national strategies
- Promoting Vietnam s entrepreneurial ecosystem to drive innovation and new business growth
Our team tackles some of the world s most pressing challenges as we seek to unlock opportunities for economic growth and dynamism under changing circumstances.
ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY
JAA is seeking to hire an experienced Project Manager to support the newly awarded USAID Ukraine Harvest Activity, which will support improving productivity of Ukrainian farmers through better access to high quality inputs in combination with agronomic support and extension service as well as improving access to markets. JAA is a subcontractor on the activity and will lead work under the project objective Farmers' access to profitable markets improved. JAA s project team will work to improve linkages with EU and other markets by:
- Strengthening the market position of SME (crops, vegetable oil) farmers (cooperatives and producer groups, contract farming, quality standard certifications)
- Facilitating lower-cost logistics (optimization, digitalization, investment)
- Developing B2B connections (B2B sales, industry events, trade missions, buyer visits).
The Project Manager will serve as a bridge between Ukraine-based team members and the JAA home office. As a dynamic workplace for international development professionals, JAA offers opportunities for growth within and across projects for motivated team members.
TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Project Manager is anticipated to be assigned full-time to the USAID Ukraine Harvest Activity and will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day home office management and administration of the project contract.
Project Management and Administration:
- Backstop implementation of international economic development activities by providing administrative and technical assistance
- Ensure compliance with relevant rules, regulations, and contract requirements
- Oversee personnel management of long and short-term technical staff and consultants
- Lead recruitment of Ukrainian and international technical experts
- Oversee financial management of project activities, including monitoring spending, tracking and projecting budgets, and managing procurement of goods and services
- Develop and maintain project databases
- Edit and/or compile research and other data for technical reports
- Provide logistical support to project team members
- Maintain client and partner relationships including through regular in-person and virtual meetings
- Travel as needed to project locations for short-term field assignments including work planning
Technical Activities:
- Support project technical assignments
- Conduct research and analysis
Systems Management:
- Compile and share success stories and impact stories for JAA s social media presence
- Manage JAA Project Associate on project support activities
- Support JAA s organizational development efforts including systems improvements, file management, institutional knowledge building, etc.
- Other tasks as assigned
QUALIFICATIONS
The ideal candidate will have the following experience:
- Master s degree in business administration, public policy, economics, political science, agriculture, international relations, or a related field AND 3+ years of experience in international development or related field OR Bachelor s degree and 5+ years of experience
- Management of donor-funded projects, particularly under USAID contracts
- Work experience as part of team across geographies
- Relevant training or certifications in project management, procurement, government contracts, or related skills
- Strong knowledge of USAID rules and regulations including familiarity with the FAR, AIDAR, and others.
- Strong organizational and administrative capacity
- Ability to problem solve under uncertainty and against deadlines
- Interest in international development challenges and a desire to work to overcome them
- Excellent communication and writing skills
- Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
- Cultural awareness and adaptability
- Advanced Microsoft Office Suite skills (PowerPoint, Word, Excel)
- Proficiency in English required; proficiency in Ukrainian or Russian preferred
- Ability and willingness to travel internationally (up to 20%)
Working Relationships:
The Project Manager will report to the JAA USAID Ukraine HARVEST Project Director and will be supported by Project Associate (50% time on Harvest). The Project Manager will work in person from JAA s office in Clarendon on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.