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Senior Advisor Ethiopia

Crown Agents USA, Inc. (CA-USA) is seeking a Senior Advisor, Customs and Trade Facilitation.

Our Business
Crown Agents USA, Inc. (CA-USA) is a U.S. incorporated international development company providing technical assistance and training to improve health outcomes, governance and economic growth, as well as direct supply chain services. CA-USA is part of the Crown Agents international group, which works for the public and private sectors in more than 100 countries, as well as for international donors and development institutions. Crown Agents has over 1,000 employees in more than 35 countries.

Background
USAID continues to support Ethiopia with WTO accession. An intrinsic part of any strengthening of Ethiopia's trading environment is an effective Customs service. Two long term in-country Customs experts will be expected to work with a Team Leader to deliver a wide range of technical inputs in response to a new project issued by the USAID Mission in Addis Ababa. The project is aimed at enhancing and facilitating Ethiopia's trading capabilities, not only by working with Customs but also with the private sector.
The work is expected to start at the beginning of 2012.

Responsibilities

  • The advisor will be highly visible and proficient at interaction at all levels, not only within the Customs areas but also with all stakeholders, both public and, more specifically, private sector.
  • The advisor will undertake technical inputs as deemed necessary by the Team Leader to successfully deliver the project's objectives within given timeframes.
  • The advisor will be a focal point for all private sector engagement in relation to customs and tax issues.
  • The advisor will be expected to manage small teams of Short Term Technical Advisors (STTAs) throughout the life of the project.

Qualifications
Essential

  • Practical experience in the provision of technical assistance to Revenue and Customs administrations involved in the modernization process, preferably in East Africa
  • Previous experience of "customer service centers" and tax payer education
  • Proven record of capacity to design and deliver trade related training courses, seminars and workshops to not only Customs administrations, but also the private sector
  • A comprehensive knowledge of Customs legislation, procedures and methodologies, as well as current international best practices (At a minimum this should include an understanding of Valuation, Classification, Rules of Origin, Post Entry Audit and Exemptions as well as the effective use of information technology tools to support these technical areas.)
  • An understanding of Regional Integration, Single Window and WTO Accession would be an advantage
  • An understanding of working in a donor funded environment, particularly with USAID projects
  • A clear understanding of regional and Ethiopian challenges to doing business
  • Preferable
  • Educated to degree level in a relevant subject
  • Previous work experience in Ethiopia
  • Working knowledge of the Amharic language

Application Process
To apply to this position, please email cover letter and CV to resourcing@crownagents.co.uk Include your name, along with the title of the position you are applying for, in the subject line. Visit our website at www.crownagentsusa.com for more information about our company. No phone calls, faxes or walk-ins please. Crown Agents USA, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V.

Crown Agents USA will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with qualified disabilities in accordance with the ADA and local labour law as applicable. If you require a reasonable accommodation for our application process, please contact our Recruiting department at ADArequests@crownagents.com. Requests will be kept confidential and shared strictly on a need-to-know basis only.