Africa and Middle East Trade Specialist

Job Title: Africa and Middle East Trade Specialist
Agency: Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
Class Title: PUBLIC SERVICE ADMINISTRATOR - 37015
Skill Option: General Administration/Business Marketing/Labor/Personnel
Bilingual Option: None
Closing Date/Time: 03/03/2025
Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary $7,966 - $8,966 monthly
Job Type: Salaried
Category: Full Time
County: Cook
Number of Vacancies: 1
Plan/BU: None
                       **************** A RESUME IS REQUIRED FOR THIS JOB POSTING ****************
Please attach a DETAILED Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV) to the MY DOCUMENTS
section of your application. You WILL NOT be considered for the position if it is not a Resume. 

Why Work for Illinois?
Working with the State of Illinois is a testament to the values of compassion, equity, and dedication that define our state. Whether you're helping to improve schools, protect our natural resources, or support families in need, you're part of something bigger that touches the lives of every person who calls Illinois home.
No matter what state career you're looking for, we offer jobs that fit your life and your schedule—flexible jobs that provide the gold standard of benefits. Our employees can use various avenues to advance their careers and realize their dreams. Our top-tier benefits and great retirement packages can help you build a rewarding career and a lasting future with the state of Illinois.

Position Overview
This position serves as the Trade Specialist for the Illinois Department of Commerce's Office of Trade and Investment (OTI), focusing on Africa and Middle East markets. The Africa and Middle East Trade Specialist will cover a designated geographic territory and counsel Illinois businesses in export opportunities and strategies to successfully navigate export growth in market (s) within the territory. Key responsibilities include coordination and execution of annual group trade missions to international trade shows, marketing of OTI international business development programs to business representatives, associations, and government audiences, and serving as the content expert on the regional market for the Bureau. We invite motivated individuals to apply.

Essential Functions

• Confers and liaisons with regional market staff to identify Illinois industries and services with the greatest export potential in the assigned region.
• Maintains current information on African and Middle Eastern market and industry conditions, economic trends, and international trade policies to develop and advise management on long-term strategies and goals for marketing and promoting Illinois products and services.
• Provides international marketing expertise to Illinois companies to export their products and services to Africa and MiddleEast regions.
• Represents the OTI, DCEO, and the State of Illinois at public and private organization meetings and international events with foreign dignitaries and representatives from Illinois' international community.
• Maintains and tracks client/company information and program activity data to measure program results, activities, goals, and objectives.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• It requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to completing four (4) years of college, preferably with business or public administration courses.
• Requires prior experience equivalent to three (3) years of progressively responsible administrative experience in a public or business organization, preferably in international marketing.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefer two (2) years or more of experience working as an international trade consultant, performing market research or business lead generation duties, focusing on Africa and the Middle East.
•  Prefer two (2) years or more experience in sales, marketing, business development, or business counseling with a focus on international markets.
• Prefer two (2) years of experience in sales, marketing, business development, or business counseling focusing on domestic markets.
• Prefer two (2) years or more experience developing or managing a budget.
• Prefer two (2) years or more experience with end-to-end trade show management, including planning, managing, and executing.
• Prefer two (2) years or more experience with end-to-end accountability (owning, managing, and delivering) for multiple projects simultaneously.
• Prefer two (2) years or more of experience in a public-facing role, including presenting or promoting in domestic and international settings.
• Prefer two (2) years of experience collecting and analyzing data, developing recommendations, and presenting to executive leadership.
• Prefer intermediate experience using Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Prefer intermediate experience using client management and project management systems.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires appropriate, valid driver's license.
• Requires ability to travel domestically and internationally to perform duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.
• Requires completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history form.
• Overtime is a condition of employment, and you may be requested or required/mandated to work overtime, including scheduled, unscheduled, or last-minute overtime. This may require the ability to work evenings and weekends.

The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties listed in the job description.

About the Agency
The mission of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is to create equitable economic opportunities across the State of Illinois. By attracting and supporting major job creators, investing in communities, strengthening Illinois' world-class workforce, fostering innovation, and ushering in the new clean energy economy, DCEO works to fortify Illinois' reputation as a global economic powerhouse while ensuring Illinois is the best state to live, work and do business.

Work Hours: MONDAY - FRIDAY 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Work Location: 555 West Monroe Street, Chicago, IL 60661
Agency Contact: CEO.HR@illinois.gov (FOR INQUIRIES ONLY - INTERESTED APPLICANTS MUST APPLY ONLINE)
 Posting Group: Leadership & Management
The main form of communication will be through email. Please check your "junk mail," "spam," or "other" folder for communication (s) regarding any submitted application(s). You may receive emails from the following addresses:
donotreply@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com 
systems@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com