Commercial Specialist at U.S. Embassy Accra

About The Job

Duties:

• Commercial Specialist is responsible for representing the United States Department of Commerce (USDOC), United States and Foreign Commercial Service (USFCS) in Ghana. Serves as a professional analyst and advisor to the U.S. staff in planning, organizing, and administering programs to facilitate the marketing of U.S. goods and services. 
• Assists U.S. firms by developing and organizing marketing strategies, including market research and reporting, planning trade promotion events, identifying, and leveraging trade opportunities, and bringing U.S. and host country business representatives together. 
• Assigned industry sectors generally include complex sectors, such as (but not limited to) Energy, Franchising, Construction and Engineering, Travel and Tourism, Education, and SelectUSA/inward investment.  
• Responsible for the identification of distributors, representatives or partners employing USFCS programs, such as, but not limited to, matchmaking programs, due diligence on foreign parties, and in-country promotion of products or services. 
• Prepares speeches and talking points in both English and host country language and gives presentations on USFCS programs and bilateral commercial relations to business audiences in both the U.S. and the host country.  
• Helps settle trade disputes between American and host country companies involving Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) issues, non-payment for products and services, poor product quality, and other commercial issues that may arise.

Qualifications and Evaluations
Experience: 

• Minimum four (4) years of work experience in Ghana in the field of business, government, or industry association in one or more fields of marketing, international trade, economics, trade promotions, project management, and marketing analysis/research that includes significant analysis and report writing.

Job Knowledge:

• Thorough knowledge of the host country’s economy, commercial and industrial structures, business and industry customs and practices, trade and investment laws, regulation, and policies. 
• Comprehensive working knowledge of international trade (terms and procedures). 
• Significant understanding of legislation, rules and regulations affecting trade and investment.

Education Requirements:

• Mandatory: Bachelor’s degree in business management, economics, marketing, international trade or international affair or host country equivalent is required.
• Must have a valid driver's license.

Evaluations

• Language:
  • Mandatory:  Fluency in speaking, reading, writing, English is required. Good working knowledge of speaking at least one Ghanaian local language is required. (Language proficiency may be tested)

Skills & Abilities:

• Strong interpersonal skills, salesmanship, critical and analytical thinking, problem solving, judgement and proactively assessing obstacles and identifying solutions to ensure programmatic success is essential.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook) to create documents and spreadsheets, maintain and update databases, and develop presentations. 
• Good keyboarding skill is required.

Qualifications:

• All applicants under consideration will be required to pass medical and security certifications.

Benefits:

• Locally Employed Staff, including Members of Household (MOHs), and Third-Country Nationals (TCNs), working at the U.S. Mission in Accra, Ghana may receive a compensation package that may include health, separation, and other benefits.