Background:
Notwithstanding a significant period of positive growth, Kosovo still faces deep-seated structural challenges. These challenges are reflected in unsolved macroeconomic imbalances and - particularly - in the persistently high trade deficit, which poses a constant threat to Kosovo’s long-term economic sustainability. The inability to substitute imports and to gradually move towards an export-led growth path is partially explained by a feeble industrial sector, subsistence-driven agriculture, and a low value-added service sector. Growth has been mainly driven by public spending and investment and is largely dependent on remittances and foreign aid, while private sector led growth has yet to pick up steam. While the volume of exports reached almost USD 300 million in 2010, the corresponding import bill surpassed USD 2 billion. The export structure is dominated by low value-added scrap metal exports and unrefined raw materials. Sources of potential growths in agriculture, services and manufacturing - such as abundant natural resources and a large and cost-competitive labor force - remain largely untapped. Ultimately Kosovo has the potential to shift toward faster, private sector–led growth, but accompanying measures need to be put in place to advance the agenda.
The Aid for Trade (AfT) initiative acknowledges the importance trade can play in emerging economies and its positive influence over employment and poverty reduction trajectories. It seeks to strengthen the capacity of countries to participate in and benefit from international trade. Access to foreign markets provides new opportunities for enterprises to expand their productive capacity and to generate more and better jobs. However, access to markets and growth alone would not be sufficient in pursuing a country’s development goal if there is no alignment with social aspirations and understanding of environmental implications. This project focuses on concrete interventions required to improve Kosovo’s long term trade and economic performance and its alignment with social and poverty reduction goals. The link between trade development interventions, employment and equity needs to be better understood in order to undertake proactive measures. Sources of potential growth in agriculture, services and manufacturing remain largely untapped. Ultimately Kosovo has the potential to shift toward faster, private sector–led growth, but accompanying measures need to be put in place to advance the agenda. The key challenge this project addresses is how to promote in Kosovo inclusive and sustainable growth that creates jobs and opportunities through trade development interventions.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
Master’s degree or equivalent in development studies/international development, economics, or business administration.
Experience:
- Minimum of 7 years of relevant and progressively responsible post-master’s working experience in the field of trade and development;
- Demonstrated hands-on experience on project/programme management or managing staff and operational systems, and/or establishing
relationships among international organization and local institutions/communities is a must;
- Previous experience in private sector development, external trade policymaking and trade promotion, government or development
assistance or related work for an international agency or donor organization or NGO;
- Proven track record in understanding relevant development issues regarding trade and development;
- A solid understanding of private sector responses to poverty reduction and development;
- A solid understanding of economic development context and trade sector in transition economies – strong preference will be given to those
with experience in the Western Balkan region;
- Ability to coordinate complex programs with diverse range of partners;
- Experience in relationship management and facilitation skills;
- International experience will be considered an asset;
- Knowledge and experience of gender equality and women’s empowerment will be considered an asset;
- Knowledge of Results-Based Management, including support to design, planning and implementation of projects, managing data and
reporting will be considered as an asset;
- Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and
database packages, experience in handling of web based management systems.
Language Requirements:
Fluency in English is required.
Deadline: 27 May 2012
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