Title: International Trade and Market Development Specialist

Location: Kuwait, with travel to the Occupied Palestinian Territories

Job Type: Full-time  

Period: One year, with possibility of extension 

Reports To: Tasdeer and PalTrade  

The Project: FCDO Trade Facilitation and Customs Support (Tasdeer) 

Tasdeer: The Trade Facilitation and Customs Support programme (Tasdeer) is a programme funded by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and implemented by consortium led by Cowater International. Our objective is to improve the Palestinian private sector’s competitiveness and the PA’s capacity in trade, customs and import policy regulation and administration. Tasdeer aims to increase sustainable private sector-led economic growth and job creation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and the PA’s fiscal sustainability while ensuring equitable access to increased trade and improved institutional capacity.  

Tasdeer is committed to Gender Equality and Social Inclusion, and to ensuring that the benefits of the programme are equally accessed by all groups throughout the supply chain. The interventions implemented by each workstream are designed to take into consideration the roles and needs of women, youth, and people with disabilities, including those in marginalized areas (i.e., East Jerusalem, seam zone, area C and Gaza), ensuring that all interventions and activities are GESI responsive. 

Palestine Trade Center - PalTrade: PalTrade was established in 1998, as a non-profit development organization, which was mandated as the Palestinian National Trade Promotion Organization. PalTrade has evolved into an export development organization with a mission to lead the development and sustainable increase of Palestinian exports as a driving force for sustainable national economic growth. It has been instrumental in leading the way to establish a National Export Strategy. PalTrade provides a wide range of support in the areas of export development and market intelligence, export promotion, and export policy and advocacy. 

Position Overview

Tasdeer is collaborating with PalTrade to launch an ambitious initiative to promote Palestinian products in Kuwait. The initiative will deliver a wide-reaching promotional campaign to garner the interest of distributors, wholesalers, and individual consumers with a deliberate focus on creating and enhancing demand for Palestinian products within the Kuwaiti market. Kuwait is considered a high-priority market for the promotion of Palestinian exports, and several initiatives have attempted to introduce Palestinian exports into the market. However, these initiatives have lacked consistency and the right business approach to meet Kuwaiti market expectations. Tasdeer and PalTrade are looking for a dynamic, results-driven expert to lead a new approach.  

The International Trade and Market Development Specialist will support Palestinian businesses to promote and sell their products and services in Kuwait. They will develop and implement strategies to enhance market penetration, creating business linkages that result in real contracts, organizing B2B events, and providing guidance on standards and procedures required for successful market entry and expansion.  

Key Responsibilities

Over the course of the assignment, the expert’s responsibilities will evolve to ensure we are able to deliver effective support to Palestinian businesses. They will work collaboratively with PalTrade and Tasdeer to achieve intervention objectives, and to deliver outputs and results throughout the assignment. Indicative responsibilities will include:  

Promotion of Palestinian exports to Kuwait:

• Develop and execute marketing strategies to promote Palestinian products and services in Kuwait. 
• Plan and organize B2B events, trade shows, and business missions to promote Palestinian exports in Kuwait in coordination with Tasdeer and PalTrade. 
• Facilitate B2B meetings and connect private sector organizations from both countries in coordination with Tasdeer and PalTrade.  
• Develop promotional materials and presentations to showcase Palestinian products and capabilities. 
• Develop deep knowledge of key and potential Palestinian exporters and their products/services. 

Analysis of market and business information:

• Conduct market research to understand market trends, consumer behavior, and competitive landscape in Kuwait. 
• Identify and target key sectors and industries in Kuwait with high potential for Palestinian exports. 
• Provide Tasdeer and PalTrade with up-to-date and accurate information about market opportunities, potential leading sectors, and business environment in Kuwait. 
• Prepare briefing materials on market-related issues, business opportunities, best practices to approach the market, trade facilitation measures to inform stakeholders and decision makers. 
• Conduct information sessions (virtual and/or in-person) to Palestinian exporters on opportunities within Kuwait market 

Support Palestinian businesses to navigate standards and procedures: 

• Prepare briefings on trade procedures, logistics, necessary documents, certifications, and standards required to enter the Kuwaiti market. 
• Assist Palestinian companies in meetings the necessary compliance and quality standards for export to Kuwait. 
• Liaise with the relevant Kuwaiti trade and production representative bodies and governmental institutions to facilitate reaching mutual agreements that simplify the entry of Palestinian Products and mitigate any impediments, in coordination with the Palestinian Embassy in Kuwait.  

Building business linkages and leads 

• Establish and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including industry associations, trade organizations, and government agencies in Kuwait.  
• Develop trusting and strategic business linkages with key decision makers of major importers and hypermarkets in Kuwait 
• Match Palestinian exporters with potential importers in Kuwait. 
• Generate and follow up on leads to facilitate the closing of business deals. 
• Support Palestinian companies through the negotiation and deal-making process. 

Developing market penetration strategies 

• Advise Palestinian companies on effective market entry and penetration strategies for Kuwait. 
• Provide support in designing, planning, and executing tailored marketing campaigns and promotional activities to enhance brand visibility and market share in Kuwait.  
• Promote and brand Palestine effectively in Kuwait. 
• Facilitate the establishment of Palestinian branches or new companies in Kuwait.  
• Provide information on competitors to Palestinian products in specific sectors and their unique value propositions.  
• Promote investing in sunrise industries in Palestinian for potential importers in Kuwait. 

Market reporting and analysis 

• Prepare monthly reports on market conditions, competitive analysis, and the effectiveness of promotional activities, and the progress made in creating business linkages. 
• Provide insights and recommendations based on market analysis and feedback from stakeholders in the Kuwaiti market. 
• Report on any success stories and achievements.  

Level of Effort and Location

This is a full-time local position based in Kuwait. The assignment will initially be for one year, subject to renewal based on results and availability of funding. We can explore part-time or flexible working arrangements, if requested. 

Reporting 

The International Trade and Market Development Specialist will report to appointed Tasdeer and PalTrade representatives. 

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit their resume and a cover letter detailing how their competencies, relevant experience and qualifications position them to fulfill the requirements of this position. 

Applications should be submitted to [Click to show email] by July 25,2024.

Skills

The ideal candidate will have a deep knowledge of the Kuwaiti market and a strong background in international marketing, export promotion, and market research. We expect the successful candidate to have the following: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, International Business, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred). 
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in marketing, export promotion, business development or a related field. 
• Strong understanding of Kuwaiti market, distribution channels, and main outlets. 
• Strong understanding of Kuwait’s trade agreements, regulations, standards, and procedures. 
• Familiarity with the business culture and practices in Kuwait.  
• Proven track record of successfully promoting products and establishing business linkages, preferably in Kuwait.  
• Experience in the specific industries or sectors relevant to Palestinian exports is preferred. 
• Excellent communication, influencing, negotiation, and interpersonal skills. 
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously. 
• Proficiency in market research tools and techniques. 
• Ability and willingness to travel domestically in Kuwait and to the OPT as required. 
• Proficiency in written and spoken Arabic and English.