Trade Fair / B2B Promotion Specialist

Background:

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Big Small Businesses project (BSB) is a five-year activity implemented in partnership with ACDI/VOCA, J.E. Austin Associates, CEVES, and the Ana and Vlade Divac Foundation.

The Trade Fair / B2B Promotion Specialist (Specialist) will serve as expert staff and support the overall component lead for SME market and export development, primarily responsible for implementing the project’s Objective 2: Expand Local, Regional, & Export SME Markets and its four primary sub-objectives, particularly the following: 2.1. Expand market access and intelligence.

The Specialist will assist BSB partners in supporting and improving the events related to the expansion of Serbian fruit and vegetable exports (e.g., via B2B, business-to-business meetings and fair exhibitions), relations with relevant international partners (buyers, distributors), promotion of the Serbian fruit and vegetable industry, as well as communication with domestic and foreign media.

The Specialist will be based in Serbia; no international travel is envisaged.

The Specialist will serve under the leadership of consortium partner J.E. Austin Associates (JAA). The position shall report directly to the Agriculture and Food Expert and the JAA HO Project Manager.

Specific Tasks and Responsibilities

• The Specialist will assist the B2B and fair events organizers who cooperate with the Project. This assistance will include maintaining effective communication with essential media in Europe's fruit and vegetable industry, such as Fresh Plaza, Fruitnet, Eurofresh Distribution, etc. This cooperation should result in a certain number of published articles and advertisements in these journals/sites to promote Serbia as a country that produces quality fruits and vegetables and key events where foreign visitors can see this offer.
• Also, the Specialist will communicate with key buyers of fruits and vegetables from the EU, the UK, the Gulf States, and other key markets to promote export of vegetables and fruits from the Western Balkans.
• Communication with customers is essential. It refers to maintaining (current) customer relations and finding new contacts and channels for the possible sale of fruits and vegetables from Serbia, whether fresh produce, frozen or processed fruits and vegetables. Communication refers to animating customers and presenting B2B fair events in Serbia, the potential of the Serbian fruit and vegetable industry, logistical and other advantages of the region, and other aspects. The Specialist will regularly send customers information on ways to participate in events in Serbia, offer hosting packages, and share additional information to attract essential guests. The Specialist will perform the buyers' final selection, help them apply to the B2B platform, and assist in matchmaking with Serbian companies—producers of fruits and vegetables.
• The Specialist will communicate with domestic companies—producers of fresh, frozen, and processed fruits and vegetables. He/she will assist them in registering for the B2B/fair event and on the B2B online platform, form company profiles, and book meetings with foreign customers.
• The Specialist will assist and communicate with the representative offices of foreign countries (Embassies, Trade Representative Offices, Chambers of Economy/Trade, etc.) in Serbia/Belgrade to stimulate participation in group national exhibitions (national stands) at events supported by the Project.
• After the completed B2B/fair events, the Specialist will maintain communication with foreign and regional customers on the one hand and domestic companies-suppliers on the other to collect relevant data for the Project.
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Qualifications and experience:

• Master’s or bachelor’s degree in economics, agricultural economics, agriculture and food science, organizational sciences, business administration, marketing, or related fields with preferred education/knowledge and experience in food marketing and promotion.
• At least five years of previous work experience in marketing and promotion, media relations, and customer relations.
• Knowledge and experience in B2B and fair events organization is preferred.
• Knowledge of the principles of handling online B2B matchmaking platforms and user assistance.
• Good relations with and understanding of the local fruit and vegetable industry. Links with the fruit and vegetable industry in the Western Balkans countries and the economic/diplomatic representations of the EU and other countries in Serbia are desirable.
• Strong communication skills, including report writing and presentations.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build personal relationships with staff, partners, business, and government leaders at all levels in a culturally sensitive manner.
• High independence, flexibility, and ability to meet strict deadlines.
• Fluent in spoken and written English.

Timing and estimated Level of Effort:

• This assignment's estimated level of effort (LOE) is up to 45 days from o/a June 15, 2024, until o/a Feb 28, 2025.
• The Specialist is not authorized to work more than a 5-day work week, 8 hours daily. The final LoE might change based on the intensity of activities and the Project/partners’ needs. The LoE changes must be approved both by the BSB and JAA HO.
• The Specialist will establish a detailed timeline upon project commencement.