Creative Associates International is a dynamic, fast-growing global development firm that specializes in education, economic growth, democratic institutions and stabilization. Based in Washington, D.C., Creative has a field presence in more than 25 countries with a strong client portfolio. Since its founding in 1977, Creative has earned a solid reputation among its clients and is well-regarded by competitors and partners alike.

Project Description:

The USAID-funded West Africa Trade and Investment Hub Activity (the Trade Hub) is a five-year trade and investment facilitation program that seeks to improve private sector competitiveness in West Africa. The Trade Hub focuses on increasing the agricultural productivity and profitability of smallholder farmers in Nigeria in key value chains (rice, maize, aquaculture, soybean, and cowpeas) and promoting West Africa’s regional and international trade across multiple export value chains in food ingredients, processed foods, apparel, and accessories. As well, the Trade Hub will seek to increase trade between the U.S. market and West Africa through the utilization of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).

The Trade Hub will further strengthen relationships between and among key stakeholders, such as producer associations, financial institutions, and agribusinesses, working with business service providers to improve agricultural competitiveness and create strong linkages within targeted value chains. By providing grant assistance to selected partners from the private sector, research institutions, and other technology service developers, the Trade Hub will encourage private investment and help modernize agriculture in West Africa.

Position Overview:

Creative Associates is seeking a long-term Public Private Partnerships and Investment Manager (PPP and Investment Manager) for the USAID West Africa Trade and Investment Hub Project to support public private partnerships (PPP) investment projects in Ghana and other West African countries. This position will take a lead role to oversee the implementation of activities relevant to building partnerships with a wide range of private-sector actors and other partners in agriculture, light manufacturing, renewable energy, business services, and financial services. The PPP Manager will be responsible for completing preliminary analysis of potential investment projects, partnerships model structuring, supporting due diligence efforts (technical, financial, and legal), negotiation, and supporting monitoring and evaluation efforts. The position will also ensure that all project activities in Ghana meet and exceed client expectations and are designed and implemented for maximum impact and reach.

Reporting and Supervision:

The PPP and Investment Manager will report to the PPP Director based in Senegal.

Primary Responsibilities:

The PPP and Investment Manager will have principal responsibility for:

• Developing and maintaining relationships with the USAID Ghana Mission, local government counterparts, and the private sector, financial institutions, and agribusiness organizations as potential Trade Hub partners;
• Identifying strategic partnership opportunities in close coordination with USAID Ghana and the Public Private Partnerships Director to encourage private-sector growth in strategic export-oriented sectors including, but not limited to, agriculture and agricultural processing, services to enable greater exports, garment and apparel production, light manufacturing, and enabling factors like affordable energy services (including renewable energy), logistics, and financial services to stimulate exports;
• Leading the development of strategic partnerships with national and international organizations in Ghana that leverages resources, reputation, and expertise in line with the Trade Hub’ Catalytic Business Fund principles;
• Engaging with financial institutions (banks, private equity, or other external financial actors/vehicle) to facilitate greater access to financing to Trade Hub’s potential grantees in meeting the matching grant requirement.
• Developing comprehensive mappings of key actors in the financial sectors already operating or in the process of developing financial products for the agricultural sector;
• Facilitating relationships between financial institutions and investors with value chain actors, such as agro-businesses to enhance the Trade & Investment Hub’s partners capabilities in meeting the matching requirement;
• Organizing and facilitating discussions with partner financial institutions to familiarize them with different types of agricultural sector lending and financing opportunities and raise their interest in lending and investing in SMEs in the ag sector;
• Developing vetting forms to assess credit worthiness of potential Fund applicants;
• Completing preliminary analysis and investment memos for projects and partners and provide recommendations for shortlisting;
• Managing and participating in internal risk reviews and presentations, conducting proposal meetings, assigning tasks and setting deadlines, tracking progress, communicating information from partners and internal project departments, and ensuring that project’s technical and contractual requirements and deadlines are met;
• Overseeing the rollout of all grant activities and Project reporting in Ghana while working closely with the Chief of Party, Deputy Chief of Party, Monitoring and Evaluation Director, Grants Managers, Gender Specialist, and others relevant team members;
• Providing inputs for project annual work plans in accordance with the Trade Hub scope; and

• Coordinating the Trade Hub events in Ghana such as AGOA workshops, Bidders’ conferences, Gender and MEL training and workshops, and participation in the national level trade facilitation events to promote Project visibility in Ghana.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in business, finance, economics, or related field;
• Minimum of eight (8) years of work experience, preferably in a financial institution. Experience in programs related to agricultural activities desired;
• Prior banking experience evaluating loan portfolios and presenting lender file to bank credit committee for lending decisions is highly preferred;
• Experience engaging private sector partners and forging public-private partnerships in West African countries;
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with institutional and private sector partners and stakeholders, including the national government;
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills required, including ability to produce high-quality project reports and deliver high level presentations to clients and partners;
• Experience working on USAID programs preferred;
• Experience managing a project with a high volume of grants desired;
• Willingness and ability to travel throughout West Africa;
• Problem solving, stress management and time management skills are required;
• Proficient at using Microsoft office software: MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc. Prior experience using web-based applications preferred;
• Experience of working in a conflict environment is a plus; and
• Fluency in one or more of the local languages used in West Africa is preferred.