Certification Advisor

**Certification Advisor**

***Primary Duties and Responsibilities**:
The Certification Advisor will supervise the implementation, management and execution of TRADE’s key interventions in the certification preparation and certification award for New and Expanding Export-Ready Enterprises (NEEREs) in the seven targeted sectors. This includes reviewing of all reports and assessments delivered from companies implementing these preparations, assessing progress made, identifying challenges, and helping NEEREs achieve required certifications.

***Tasks**
- Coordinate and contribute to the planning, implementing, monitoring of TRADE interventions for the certification preparation and certification for TRADE SMEs supported by TRADE.
- Review all assessments, gap analysis reports delivered by consultants and consulting firms.
- Conduct ad hoc site visits to all listed companies to ensure that quality management systems (QMS) are in place and implemented.
- Recommend exact QMS systems to be implemented in the beneficiary SME based on existing reports and sites visits.
- Recommend certification bodies to certify qualified SME against QMS and other standards and requirements.
- Mentor and set monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to all certified SMEs to evaluate the certification impact afterwards, in coordination with TRADE’s Monitoring Evaluation and Learning (MEL) team.
- Set criteria for Service Provider (SP) selection and advise/assist in procuring short-term consultants to conduct assessments or to complement the advisor in specific sectors or areas.
- Conduct any other tasks as may be delegated by supervisor.

**Required Qualifications**:

- College education with equivalent of B.A. or B.S. in related field with 15+ years of related experience OR Advanced degree with 7+ years of related experience.
- Prior certification preparation experience particularly involving SMEs.
- Experience with certification bodies in Egypt and internationally.
- Experience in the manufacturing sector in Egypt and international certification requirements.
- Robust understanding of the Egyptian economy and the role SMEs play in Egypt.
- Understanding of the issues facing underserved populations in Egypt, particularly women, youth, and communities outside of Greater Cairo and Alexandria (preferred).
- Experience working in underserved areas throughout Egypt preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with staff and partners in a cross-cultural environment.
- Proficiency in both oral and written communication in both English and Arabic.

**Project Overview and Role**:
Trade Reform and Development in Egypt (TRADE) is a USAID funded project whose objective is to increase Egypt’s international trade by increasing exports from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the activity’s “selected sectors”; Engineering Products, Food Processing, Home têxtiles, Ready Made Garments, Chemicals, Printing and Packaging, and Building Materials

The TRADE Activity will achieve the following three Results:

- Enhanced Export Capacity of SMEs, in particular New and Expanding Export
- Ready Enterprises (NEEREs)1 in the Selected Sectors.
- Strengthened Public and Private Trade-Support Institutions (e.g., Trade Associations, Export Councils, etc.); and
- Improved Trade and Investment Policy, Regulatory and Institutional Environment

**Company Overview**:
**About Palladium** - Palladium is a global leader in the design, development and delivery of Positive Impact - the intentional creation of enduring social and economic value. We work with governments, businesses, and investors to solve the world's most pressing challenges. With a team of more than 3,000 employees operating in 90 plus countries and a global network of over 35,000 experts, we help improve economies, societies and, most importantly, people's lives.