International Trade Associate Organic Trade Association (OTA)
- Date Posted April 17, 2014
- Location Washington, DC
- Category Agriculture / Business
- Job Type Full-Time
We represent businesses across the organic supply chain and address all things organic, including food, fiber/textiles, personal care products and new sectors as they develop. Over 60 percent of OTA trade members are small businesses. OTA has an independent non-profit 501(c)(3) research and education organization, The Organic Center (TOC), which operates under its administrative auspices.
International Trade Associate
You consistently demonstrate high personal and professional standards and a reputation for excellence, as well as, equal parts humor, patience and drive along with an abundance of common sense and good judgment. We are seeking a dynamic and energetic individual to manage the Organic Trade Association’s (OTA) international trade grant funding development. You will implement OTA’s international strategy through collaboration with external contractors, USDA marketing specialist(s) and outreach to industry. You will also maintain complete UES and performance related reporting and facilitate record keeping as necessary for, and directed by, COO and Office Manager to maintain audit readiness, executes claims as directed by COO. Additionally, you will function as a creative member of OTA’s marketing and policy teams, share information effectively to assist others in doing OTA’s work. We will depend on you to build positive and strong relationships with members, Foreign Agricultural Service, other Cooperators and OTA staff and demonstrate personal responsibility in job performance.
Responsibilities:
- Assist the CEO/Executive Director in international trade grant funding development including annual MAP and TASC applications as well as ad-hoc EMP, GBI and other grants as identified. Includes primary accountability for UES maintenance
- Deliver high quality MAP activities as defined by performance measures, industry engagement, timely and sufficient reporting. Serve as ‘sales person’ to industry on value of activities
- Support delivery of TASC activities: issue assessments, GAP analysis through trade outreach, Task Force administration and as directed by CEO/Executive Director and grant partner—Sustainable Strategies. Coordinate timely completion of performance reporting
- Collect, document and report on industry contribution
- Facilitate record keeping necessary for audit readiness, as directed by COO. Accountability for audit preparedness and decision making is held by COO and other authorized corporate officers
- Execute claims as directed by COO and Office Manager. Review OTA financial details to ensure full expenses and income accuracyRepresent OTA’s trade policy programs at meetings and through public/conference presentations as approved
- Travel to meetings or events as required; may involve extended travel; willingness to meet with members and prospective members, Government officials and foreign trade representative as required
- Attend staff meetings; make department and Board reports periodically; contribute to bi-weekly News Flash and quarterly newsletter; maintain relevant web pages; monitor relevant member forums (listserves); engage with staff from other departments as necessary for Association purposes
- Bachelor’s degree; job-related continuing education a plus; Master’s degree in related field preferred
- Multiple language skills desired1-3 years related experience
- Knowledge of and passion for organic agriculture and international trade
- Strong project management skills
- Excellent research and analytical skills
- Superb written/oral communication skills; ability to produce written documents in a clear, concise, timely and accurate fashion—including Federal Grant Applications
- Exemplar interpersonal skills including consensus building, meeting and discussion facilitation and active listening
- Ability to work independently and perform routine work
- Ability to work as a team member. Shares information with stakeholders. In a fast paced diverse OTA environment sharing of information among key staff is critical to the trade association’s effectiveness
- Ability to work well under pressure with critical deadlines
- Excellent typing and word processing skills, solid knowledge of spreadsheet, database and word processing software