The USAID Africa Trade and Investment (ATI) program is designed to bolster the U.S. Government’s ability to boost trade and investment to, from, and within the African continent. The continent-wide program is USAID’s flagship effort in support of the Prosper Africa initiative and will expand and accelerate two-way trade and investment between African nations and the United States.
Driven by market demand, ATI embraces innovative approaches to achieve its goals. ATI is designed as a small, core set of centrally coordinated technical and institutional support activities, and a large, flexible performance-based subcontracting and grants under contract facility designed to support the needs and opportunities that USAID Missions and the private sector identify.
Background
The USAID Africa Trade and Investment Activity aims to generate higher levels of export sales between Africa and the U.S. in line with the Prosper Africa objectives. One mechanism is through trade promotion activities via a fully integrated array of support services provided before, during, and after trade fair events such as the Sourcing at MAGIC exhibition.
To maximize the results stemming from MAGIC, support will be provided before, during and after the event to ensure that export ready African textile and apparel firms are positioned in the best way possible to generate large export orders. U.S. firms that are interested in sourcing from Africa will be identified and matched with the appropriate African factories. The Activity, as per the previous event, will work with specialized Trade Promotion Service Providers (TPSPs) . TPSP(s) will focus heavily on the U.S. market by identifying buyers who have an interest in sourcing textiles and apparel from the African continent, facilitating linkages at the show and supporting post-show deal closure. The demand from these buyers will be matched with the export ready firms from Africa that are in the best position to satisfy buyer requirements. Participating firms from across the continent will be supported with preparing for the show. The Activity will make every effort to identify TPSPs and investor industry experts that can handle the United States buyer facilitation and the coordination and preparation with African firms.
The USAID Africa Trade and Investment Southern Africa Buy-in Activity seeks to support at least 30 Textile and apparel, home textile and leather goods sectors firms and engage short-term technical assistance (STTA) to coordinate efforts with ATI to recruit, screen, prepare firms to exhibit in-person at the Sourcing at Magic (MAGIC) Show, (https://www.sourcingatmagic.com) taking place between February 13-15, 2024, at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, United States.
Sourcing at MAGIC is one of the premier fashion tradeshows in the US and is held twice a year (February and August) in Las Vegas. The event showcases men’s, women’s and children’s apparel, footwear, accessories, and manufacturing resources from around the world. MAGIC brings together a global audience of over 32,000 retail buyers and 860 brands covering 60 countries, influencers, media, and leaders together under one roof. It is well attended by major competitors from Asian countries, such as China, shedding light where African suppliers should be and have a comparative advantage to enter and/or expand into the U.S. market.
Position Overview and Objectives
The Regional MAGIC Trade Show Consultant will provide support to recruit, screen, prepare firms to exhibit in-person at the Sourcing at Magic (MAGIC) Show and follow-up on post show activities and reporting in collaboration with ATI as follows:
The consultant will support and coordinate with Southern Africa country teams to identify, screen and select export ready and near export ready firms, prepare selected firms to exhibit in-person in advance of MAGIC February 2024 trade show and follow-up with firms post the show.
Responsibilities
The Project aims to appoint a consultant, to support and prepare regional partners to participate at the Magic show. The consultant is expected to fulfil the following roles and responsibilities:
- Coordinate the application process for prospective exhibitors with the ATI team and national trade promotion service providers across ten targeted Southern Africa countries.
- Prepare the applications for exhibitor Selection Committee approval and play the secretarial role for the Selection Committee.
- Onboard 30 Southern African export ready textile and apparel firms in collaboration with the Activity and national TPSPs, including preparing and sharing partnership agreements and guidance on what is required of exhibitors.
- Arrange and coordinate participation of exporting firms in learning events and preparatory events that are being held before, during and after the show.
- Ensure that all exhibitors have required pre-trade show materials for their booths including samples, equipment, marketing materials in accordance with deadlines set by show organizers.
- Coordinate with USAID Africa Trade and Investment country teams and national trade promotion service providers on the collection of all marketing collateral including, high resolution photos, logos and company information from exhibitors for inclusion in the Africa Textile and Apparel brochure and booth artwork.
- Coordinate with the ATI Communications team on the development and dissemination of an Africa Textile and Apparel brochure.
- Provide the relevant information and coordinate with the ATI Operations team on the preparation of visa application letters.
- Organize a pre-tradeshow webinar, with support from the ATI team, with all selected exhibitors or partners to kick-off on the expectations and support to be provided to regional exporters in partnership with the Show organizers.
- Confirm travel logistics with all exhibitors (to be covered at exhibitors own cost).
- Follow-up on Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning reporting requirements and ensure that linkages from the show are captured by all exhibitors during and after the event in the deal tracker.
- Coordinate with country teams on the collection of partnership agreements from selected exhibitors.
- Monitor and ensure that all booth spaces are manned by the exhibitors throughout the show as per the show organizers guidelines.
- Ensure that all exhibitors adhere to all the reporting timelines and requirements before, during and after the show.
- Support the evaluation of the success of the event through sharing detailed deal information using an agreed deal tracker format.
- Schedule debrief meeting with national TPSPs, exhibitors and USAID Africa Trade and Investment Southern Africa Buy-in Activity and capture the key lessons and recommendations in a report.
Deliverables:
- Contribute to the content for weekly highlights for sharing with USAID.
- Exhibitor Selection Committee meeting minutes.
- Shared folders with the firm information including passport, travel arrangements, visa support letter, marketing collateral, and other details as needed.
- Provide input to the Magic Show Event Report, including the collaboration with partners, the attendance registers, photos and feedback from participants.
- Meeting report containing the debriefing recommendations (such as learnings, key next steps, areas for improvement). Deal tracker (capturing deals facilitated during the events).
- Fully executed partnership agreements from 30 exhibitors.
Qualifications Required
- Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in textile technology, business, economics, or related field.
- 10 years of progressively responsible work experience in the apparel, textile, home textile and/or leather products sector including some years in the promotion and sourcing function.
- Senior level experience with Southern Africa Africa textile, Apparel, home textile and leather goods firms, managing trade promotion, export sales, supply chain, merchandising, production, logistics.
- Able to write reports and presentations using MS Office Suite applications.
- Fluency in spoken and written English.
Desirable
- Post graduate degree or professional qualification in business administration, management, merchandising, fashion design, economics or another relevant field.
- International work experience, particularly in Southern African countries.
- Training and public speaking experience.
- Relevant specialized experience in specific textile, apparel, or footwear products.
Reporting
The Regional MAGIC Trade Show Consultant will report to the USAID Africa Trade and Investment Activity Regional Director working closely with the Trade Specialist.
ABOUT DAI
DAI is a global development company with corporate offices in the United States, the United Kingdom, EU, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Palestine and project operations worldwide. We tackle fundamental social and economic development problems caused by inefficient markets, ineffective governance, and instability. DAI works on the frontlines of global development. Transforming ideas into action—action into impact. We are committed to shaping a more livable world.
DAI and its employees are committed to confronting racism and holding ourselves accountable for positive change within the company and in the communities, cultures, and countries in which we live and work. DAI is committed to attracting and retaining the best employees from all races and backgrounds in our continued effort to become a better development partner.
DAI upholds the highest ethical standards. We are committed to the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment as well as other ethical breaches. All of our positions are therefore subject to stringent vetting and reference checks.
How to apply
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