DAI Global
Position Title: Investment Specialist , USAID Africa Trade and Investment (ATI) program
BACKGROUND
The USAID Africa Trade and Investment (ATI) program is designed to bolster the U.S. Government’s ability to boost trade and investment to, from, and within the African continent. The continent-wide program is USAID’s flagship effort in support of the Prosper Africa initiative and will expand and accelerate two-way trade and investment between African nations and the United States.
Driven by market demand, ATI embraces innovative approaches to achieve its goals. ATI is designed as a small, core set of centrally coordinated technical and institutional support activities, and a large, flexible performance-based subcontracting and grants under contract facility designed to support the needs and opportunities that USAID Missions and the private sector identify.
OBJECTIVES AND DUTIES
The Investment Specialist will support the Senior Technical Director - US and the Project team to ensure the program advances the institutionalization of blended finance approaches throughout the Agency. Work will be focused to ensure that ATI is effectively implementing high-quality technical work and providing strategic guidance to USAID buy-in clients on how to effectively deploy blended finance approaches in support of trade and investment in Africa. Additionally, the Strategic Investment Advisor will play a role in developing knowledge products and supporting learning capture across the program thereby supporting communications as a critical part of USAID’s Private Sector Engagement work.
TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Technical Execution
- Serve as technical manager for a portfolio of buy-ins from a wide range of USAID Missions, Bureaus and Independent Offices;
- Provide input into technical scopes of work for sub-contractors, and consultants and for buy-in implementation as needed;
- Participate in technical reviews for ATI procurements as needed;
- Provide quick turn-around quality assurance by editing, reviewing, and compliance checking of reports and other deliverables submitted by subcontractors and consultants as needed;
- Support the Activity team with subcontractors/consultants with the implementation of buy-ins. Travel may be required, upon the direction of the COP;
- As applicable, identify additional niche technical advisory support required, develop SOWs, and leverage the DAI network to source qualified candidates;
- Provide support for advancing buy-in consultations including drafting proposals, concept notes, work plans and other documentation for getting buy-in approvals and launching activities.
Communications and Outreach
- Participate in the development and implementation of an effective internal USAID and external communication strategy and outreach plan for blended finance;
- Identify and foster relationships with key stakeholders including “Private Sector Engagement Champions”, and potential donor and implementing partners that share the approach of mobilizing private capital to support development objectives through conducting or facilitating meetings, interviews, and discussions;
- Work with ATI MEL team, and other sources as necessary, to provide information for case studies and summaries that highlight innovative models or transactions for outreach materials and dissemination to USAID Missions and bureaus, other USG agencies, Congressional stakeholders, and potential donors and investors;
Strategy
- Support ATI with drafting strategic plans and concept note strategies;
- Plan and conduct strategy/co-creation sessions with “PSE Champions” and advisors to serve as a strategic platform to consolidate input and guidance;
- Participate in planning and visioning meetings with the ATI core team and other parts of USAID as needed;
Training
- Provide input on the development of training content on blended finance and participate in its delivery where needed including webinars, mentorship, and face to face workshops.
Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL)
- Participate in MEL coordination meetings with USAID, as needed;
- Support data collection and quality assurance for MEL and ensure that indicators for each activity are rolled into the project-level indicators, in accordance with the ATI MEL plan;
- Provide summary learning for periodic and requested reporting to USAID and other stakeholders.
REPORTING:
The Investment Specialist will report to the ATI Senior Technical Director - US.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 10 years of relevant professional work experience; or a master’s degree and 8 years of relevant professional work experience
- Demonstrated experience designing and managing private sector engagement strategies to facilitate investment for development impact including experience working with both donors and investors
- Proven project management, communications, writing, and interpersonal skills with excellent judgment, sound problem solving and decision-making skills
- Ability to work in a fast-moving, fluid team setting with multiple stakeholders
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, and as a part of a complex team
- Fluency in spoken and written English required, French language skills preferred
Preferred:
- Direct investment transaction experience in emerging markets;
- Experience working with USAID
How to apply
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
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APPLICATION LINK:
https://fs23.formsite.com/OLJTgx/ipxb6vahuo/index
ABOUT DAI
DAI is a global development company with corporate offices in the United States, the United Kingdom, EU, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Palestine and project operations worldwide. We tackle fundamental social and economic development problems caused by inefficient markets, ineffective governance, and instability. DAI works on the frontlines of global development. Transforming ideas into action—action into impact. We are committed to shaping a more livable world.
DAI and its employees are committed to confronting racism and holding ourselves accountable for positive change within the company and in the communities, cultures, and countries in which we live and work. DAI is committed to attracting and retaining the best employees from all races and backgrounds in our continued effort to become a better development partner.
DAI upholds the highest ethical standards. We are committed to the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment as well as other ethical breaches. All of our positions are therefore subject to stringent vetting and reference checks.