USAID Program Specialist, Host Country Liaison Job

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Kenya Mission seeks to hire a Program Specialist, Host Country Liaison in its Program Development & Analysis (PDA) Office.

The position is open to qualified Kenyan citizens and is based in Nairobi.

Basic Function of the Position:

The Program Specialist, Host Country Liaison reports directly to the Mission Development Program Specialist and works collaboratively with USAID/Kenya program staff and implementing partners in all aspects of host country tax, levies, import/export requirements including host government immigration procedures and policies.

He/she will also serve as the liaison person with the Kenya Revenue Authority, the Kenya Ports Authority, the Kenya Airports Authority, the Ministry of Transport and Communication, the Ministry of Immigration and Registrar of Persons, the Registrar of Motor Vehicles, and the Economic Department in the Ministry of Finance charged with tax and exemptions.

He/she advises the Mission team on all aspects of tax exemptions, immigration matters, and on Government of Kenya tax blueprints such as old and new laws governing tax and immigration, the East African Community tax laws that affect the Mission Program, including other regional tax authorities, such as COMESA, that might affect the program portfolio.

Required Qualifications:

Any application that does not meet the minimum requirements stated below will not be evaluated.

Only short listed applicants will be contacted.

If you have not been contacted within one month from the closing date of this advertisement,
please consider your application unsuccessful.

Education: A Bachelor’s degree in business administration, economics, telecommunications, or logistics, and a relevant post graduate diploma in information systems, customs, or shipping, is required.

Experience (40%):

• Five to seven years of demonstrated work experience in the field of clearing, forwarding, shipping, or a customs related field is required.
• Must have knowledge on both air and ocean import and export operations.
• Must also have experience in warehouse distribution and management.
• Previous work experience with reputable clearing and forwarding firms and an international organization work experience is desirable.

Knowledge (30%):

• Must have a thorough knowledge of taxation laws, customs law, port procedures, and an understanding of other Kenyan tax regulations.
• Must also have a clear understanding of the Kenya export and import regulations, Kenya Bureau of Standards regulations, and also have knowledge of port and airport regulations pertaining to motor vehicles shipments, household effects shipments, and clearance of unaccompanied baggage and personal effects.
• Good coordination and organizational skills within a multi-cultural work environment is essential.

Skills and Abilities (30%):

• Ability to communicate effectively with top level officials in host government ministries and at ports of entry.
• Significant knowledge of and dexterity with word processing is essential.
• Familiarity with databases, electronic mail, and other relevant software packages.
• He/she will be required to prepare spreadsheets for tracking movements of important tax and immigration document through host government relevant departments.
• Must have excellent interpersonal skills and be able to negotiate effectively with host government officials, and in dealings with Mission staff, implementing partners and other relevant stakeholders.
• He/she must have the ability to communicate effectively and interact comfortably with senior U.S. Government officials and senior staff of USAID’s implementing agencies given the nature of the position.
• Excellent written/oral English communication skills and interpersonal skills are required.
• Knowledge of Kiswahili is also required.

Those fulfilling the requirements of the position should submit their application, together with a detailed curriculum vitae/resume and all relevant attachments to:

The Human Resources Office,
P.O. Box 629, Village Market 00621,
Nairobi, Kenya

Re: Program Specialist, Host Country Liaison, PDA, USAID/Kenya

Please note that incomplete application packages will not be considered.

Applications must reach the USAID HR office by COB March 17, 2011

For latest jobs in Kenya and Kenyan jobs always visit http://kenyajobtube.blogspot.com/