Since 1963 and in 148 countries, ACDI/VOCA has empowered people in developing and transitional nations to succeed in the global economy. Based in Washington, D.C., ACDI/VOCA is a nonprofit international development organization that designs and delivers technical and management solutions in agriculture, economic growth, and resilience to promote economic prosperity and social inclusion.

Business Enabling Environment (BEE) Manager, Sri Lanka

ACDI/VOCA is seeking a Business Enabling Environment (BEE) Manager for an upcoming economic modernization activity funded by USAID. The program will improve economic competitiveness through an improved business enabling environment, increased small and medium business export competitiveness, and upgraded workforce capacity.​

The BEE Manager will foster partnerships with local governments, private sector, farmer and industry organizations to improve the enabling environment and address policy bottlenecks to market systems development, including tax levies, grades and standards, and the high cost of transporting produce. The program is anticipated to start in 2024 and this position will be based in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Responsibilities

• Use a market led, facilitative approach to identify and remedy enabling environment barriers to agricultural trade
• Liaise with the government, regional economic communities, and industry associations to identify windows of opportunity for targeted legislative and regulatory reform and expansion of public and private dialogue
• Enhance the capacity of government institutions, such as regulatory bodies, to improve fiscal and trade policies that result in increased exports
• Develop institutional capacity of associations in governance, membership services, development and fundraising, and management, based on a collaborative strategic planning process and focused on sustainability
• Prepare reports, presentations, and workshops to arrive at an actionable timeline and recommendations for negotiations with governments and regional economic communities
• Facilitate discussions with other donors, public, and private sector companies/organizations to understand and influence policy issues at the national level, such as trade related regulatory and procedural guidance
• Build capacity of public and private sector in research and analysis, outreach to new and existing markets, and formulation of a cohesive policy agenda
• Liaise with associations to develop strong communications strategies that educate public and private audiences about the risks, benefits, impacts, and political and investment feasibility of key legal and regulatory issues in Sri Lanka’s agricultural industry
• Develop specific strategies to address priority policy barriers based on up front and ongoing analysis of the Sri Lankan context

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in public policy, business administration, agribusiness, or relevant field is required; master’s degree is desired.
• Minimum 8 years of experience in value chain competitiveness, investment promotion, or agriculture development, policy advice, or related field.
• Extensive experience in planning and implementing technical assistance for policy reform and institutional capacity building in a variety of agricultural sectors is preferred.
• Knowledge of and experience with USAID and/or other international donor programs’ rules and regulations.
• Experience working in Sri Lanka preferred.
• Fluency in English required.

Sri Lankan nationals are strongly encouraged to apply.