Since 1963 and in 145 countries, ACDI/VOCA has
empowered people in developing and transitional nations to succeed in the
global economy. Based in Washington, D.C., ACDI/VOCA is a nonprofit
international development organization that delivers technical and management
assistance in agribusiness, financial services, enterprise development,
community development and food security in order to promote broad-based
economic growth and vibrant civil society. ACDI/VOCA currently has 79 projects
in 39 countries and revenues of approximately $168 million.
empowered people in developing and transitional nations to succeed in the
global economy. Based in Washington, D.C., ACDI/VOCA is a nonprofit
international development organization that delivers technical and management
assistance in agribusiness, financial services, enterprise development,
community development and food security in order to promote broad-based
economic growth and vibrant civil society. ACDI/VOCA currently has 79 projects
in 39 countries and revenues of approximately $168 million.
Agricultural Enterprise Specialist, Ghana
We are
currently seeking an Agricultural Enterprise Development Specialist for an
anticipated USAID-funded project, the Financing Ghanaian Agriculture Project
(FinGAP). FinGAP will address one of the key constraints that restrict the
development of commercial agriculture in Ghana—access to finance. Together with
local and international partners and in support of USAID/Ghana’s Feed the
Future (FTF) initiatives, ACDI/VOCA’s program will identify and develop
socially inclusive agriculture-related finance and investment. The first
component, an Agribusiness Development Unit, will support agricultural
enterprises to develop their ideas and create well-managed, financially
sustainable operations, which will generate a pipeline of potential investment
opportunities. The second component, an Agricultural Finance Unit, will provide
capacity-building support and incentives to financial institutions (FIs) to
expand their capacity to undertake agriculture-related investment. Together,
these interventions are expected to mitigate perceived and actual risks to
agricultural lending and increase the availability of finance for
agriculture-related investments. Initial targeted value chains will include
rice, maize, soya and other crops being supported by other USAID/Ghana FTF
projects.
currently seeking an Agricultural Enterprise Development Specialist for an
anticipated USAID-funded project, the Financing Ghanaian Agriculture Project
(FinGAP). FinGAP will address one of the key constraints that restrict the
development of commercial agriculture in Ghana—access to finance. Together with
local and international partners and in support of USAID/Ghana’s Feed the
Future (FTF) initiatives, ACDI/VOCA’s program will identify and develop
socially inclusive agriculture-related finance and investment. The first
component, an Agribusiness Development Unit, will support agricultural
enterprises to develop their ideas and create well-managed, financially
sustainable operations, which will generate a pipeline of potential investment
opportunities. The second component, an Agricultural Finance Unit, will provide
capacity-building support and incentives to financial institutions (FIs) to
expand their capacity to undertake agriculture-related investment. Together,
these interventions are expected to mitigate perceived and actual risks to
agricultural lending and increase the availability of finance for
agriculture-related investments. Initial targeted value chains will include
rice, maize, soya and other crops being supported by other USAID/Ghana FTF
projects.
The Agricultural Enterprise Development Specialist
will be responsible for overseeing agribusiness development activities,
business performance, and private sector alliances. Activities should utilize
Ghanaian business services providers to the maximum extent. Position is
contingent upon ACDI/VOCA being awarded the program.
will be responsible for overseeing agribusiness development activities,
business performance, and private sector alliances. Activities should utilize
Ghanaian business services providers to the maximum extent. Position is
contingent upon ACDI/VOCA being awarded the program.
Responsibilities:
Design and
implement technical assistance interventions and grant mechanisms to provide
agribusinesses and commercial farmers of targeted value chains with both pre-
and post-investment support, including but not limited to: o Advisory services
o Market information o Business development services focused on strategic
planning, development of management capacity, creation of business plans, and
structuring of investment proposals
implement technical assistance interventions and grant mechanisms to provide
agribusinesses and commercial farmers of targeted value chains with both pre-
and post-investment support, including but not limited to: o Advisory services
o Market information o Business development services focused on strategic
planning, development of management capacity, creation of business plans, and
structuring of investment proposals
Manage
investment pipelines and identify opportunities for agricultural finance and
investment
investment pipelines and identify opportunities for agricultural finance and
investment
Build
strategic partnerships with key private sector actors and investors and pursue
opportunities where project support can improve their investments and
operations in the agricultural sector, with a focus on targeted value chains
strategic partnerships with key private sector actors and investors and pursue
opportunities where project support can improve their investments and
operations in the agricultural sector, with a focus on targeted value chains
Coordinate
with the FinGAP agricultural finance team to maximize social and economic
returns by cultivating commercially viable, socially inclusive investments that
benefit a range of value chain actors including smallholder farmers
with the FinGAP agricultural finance team to maximize social and economic
returns by cultivating commercially viable, socially inclusive investments that
benefit a range of value chain actors including smallholder farmers
Provide
effective management, compliance and support to local partners and
subrecipients
effective management, compliance and support to local partners and
subrecipients
Contribute
to the development of reports for the donor, the host country and/or ACDI/VOCA
to the development of reports for the donor, the host country and/or ACDI/VOCA
Qualifications:
An
advanced graduate degree such as a master’s degree or Ph.D. in agribusiness,
agriculture, agronomy, business management or economics is preferred.
advanced graduate degree such as a master’s degree or Ph.D. in agribusiness,
agriculture, agronomy, business management or economics is preferred.
Minimum of
seven years of experience in agricultural enterprise development
seven years of experience in agricultural enterprise development
Minimum of
five years of experience working on donor-funded international development
projects and an established track record of achieving results within
challenging working environments
five years of experience working on donor-funded international development
projects and an established track record of achieving results within
challenging working environments
Strong
knowledge of agribusiness and commercial farming in Ghana, and experience
providing business development services and facilitating agricultural
investment in West Africa
knowledge of agribusiness and commercial farming in Ghana, and experience
providing business development services and facilitating agricultural
investment in West Africa
Ability to
manage a variety of program activities (including grant funds), evaluate
interventions, and scale the most successful initiatives
manage a variety of program activities (including grant funds), evaluate
interventions, and scale the most successful initiatives
Demonstrated ability to collaborate, willingness to innovate and ability
to think systematically
Demonstrated ability to collaborate, willingness to innovate and ability
to think systematically
Strong
communications skills (oral, written, cross-cultural)
communications skills (oral, written, cross-cultural)
Fluency in
English
English
How to apply:
Please apply online at http://acdivoca.maxhire.net/cp/?E55569361D43515B7E59192F7756196C07627B4D.
No phone calls please. Only finalists contacted. Women and minorities
encouraged to apply. EOE.
No phone calls please. Only finalists contacted. Women and minorities
encouraged to apply. EOE.
Closing Date: Monday, 31 December 2012