HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation is a development organization anchored in Switzerland. Our vision is a just world in which all men and women determine the course of their lives in dignity and security, sustainably using environmental resources. The promotion of good governance and gender equality, and social equity is an integral part of the overall organizational policy of HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation, through which we seek to ensure that our organizational culture and practice reflect our commitment to social change.

We are seeking applications from qualified candidates for the position of Private Sector Engagement Specialist for USAID Feed the Future Shamortha Plus Activity project. Under the close supervision of the Chief of Party, this position will closely work with the partners to effectively and efficiently engage agro food processing private sectors and   strengthen business resilience of private sector companies. Have a look at the detailed job description here.

Key Responsibilities:
Effectively and efficiently engage agro food processing private sector

• Actively engaged current private companies to train and hiring workers as per agreed plan between HELVETAS and private company- PRAN/Rani Food Industries Ltd.
• Support private sectors to implement the Annual Implementation plan which is align with market trends.
• Mobilize partners’ focal person, factory focal person, trainers/facilitators to train job seekers with the right skills sets" and to recruit new employees in PRAN and Rani Food Industries Ltd.
• Collaborate with Skill Development and Job Placement Specialist to oversee in-factory training; identify implementation challenges and set overcome strategy to ensure training and employment is operating smoothly across PRAN and Rani Food Industries Ltd. and maintain USAID-complaint of training program and environment.
• Organize and facilitate meetings, workshops, and events to convince partners, stakeholders and showcase the best model/practices to potential industry partners.
• Prepare plan, reports, presentations, and case stories of private sector engagement efforts to communicate their impact to internal and external stakeholders.

Strengthen business resilience of private sector companies:

• Assist partners. to regain business functionality by addressing constraints that are affected by COVID 19.
• Support partners to review and implement a comprehensive strategy for marketing and branding of new offers for business resilience ensuring alignment with project goals and objectives.
• Collaborate with relevant government stakeholders, other companies in the food processing area, business associations like BAPA etc. to advocate for and promote the successful model /approach to other agro-food processing companies in Bangladesh.
• Coordinate and collaborate with USAID-mandated projects as well as other likeminded projects, for potential exchange related to private sector engagement. 
• Make sure that private companies are followed in the execution of the project as per agreed activities.
• Support the project team and partners to promote project experiences and lessons learned for replication and upscaling.
• Coordinate and conduct capacity building measures for private sector partners.

Required Qualifications:
Experience:

• At least 5 years of experience in a similar type of position in INGO. 
• In-depth knowledge and work experience in Private Sector Engagement, Coordination, collaboration, advocacy and networking, reporting.
• Have high-level technical, analytical, and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent research and analytical skills, particularly in effectively functioning private sector work experience with INGO.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams and Outlook) and a general comfort level working with technology systems.
• Experience working in USAID funded project would be an added advantage
• Dedication to promoting gender equality, social inclusion, and poverty reduction.
• Proactively creating synergies with team members and other projects.
• Have strong analytical, facilitation and team building skills.
• Leading public and private sector in implementation and decent job placement activity.
• Proven experience in building and maintaining strong and productive relationships with implementing and strategic partner agencies.
• Commitment to informed and transparent decision-making.

Education:

• Master’s degree in Economics/ Business Administration/Agro-Food Processing/Agricultural Science or any other relevant discipline.
• Professional certification in Agricultural Science will be an added advantage.

Skills:

• Ability to collaborate effectively, provide support, manage negotiations, and facilitate consensus among multiple private sector stakeholders.
• Honest, approachable, flexible, dynamic worker with high team spirit.
• Proven experience and skills in research and advocacy and influencing institutional, private and/or corporate donors and writing up high-quality donor reports.
• Highly diplomatic with strong oral and written communication skills.
• Strong skills in networking, advocacy, communication, collaboration and donor liaison.
• Demonstrated high-level technical, analytical, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and complete deliverables on time.
• Fluent in English both written and spoken.
• Ability to coach and mentor partners.

We offer you:

A national employment contract initially up to 30 November 2025 with a market-competitive salary along with other admissible benefits, such as Mobile Allowance, Provident Fund, Gratuity, Festival Bonus, Seniority Bonus, Medical Insurance with health and life coverage, Annual leave of 25 days, Sick leave of 15 days and excellent opportunities for professional development.

Application Process

Interested candidates are invited to submit their updated resume along with a motivational letter detailing their relevant experience and motivation for the role. Please apply online at https://career.helvetasbd.org/ by 13 December 2024. Hard copies or other forms of application will not be accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further steps. We encourage early applications as interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis.

Women are highly encouraged to apply.