Company Profile

Nathan, a Cadmus Company is a leading provider of analytic and economic consultancy services worldwide. In the past decade, we have implemented more than 120 projects in more than 50 countries leveraging our global presence in Washington DC, London, and India. From improved transparency and deeper stakeholder engagement to more effective policies and more resilient businesses, we deliver results that impact economic growth, human development, and poverty reduction. We are passionate about applying our deep analytical expertise and advanced proprietary tools to generate economic solutions tailored to our clients’ unique challenges.  Nathan focuses on a range of economic development subject matter areas including Trade & Logistics; Economic Policy & Governance; Private Sector Development; Women’s Economic Empowerment; and Financial Solutions. 

Job Description

Activity Overview

The Feed the Future Ghana Trade and Investment (GTI) Activity seeks to improve the enabling environment for Ghana’s economic growth by (1) facilitating growth in export-oriented trade; (2) improving and developing product standards; (3) catalyzing investments in private enterprises related to high-value commercial crops; (4) promoting job creation, particularly among women and youth; (5) promoting economic diversification; and (6) increasing foreign exchange revenues from high-value export crops. GTI will facilitate investing in firms that trade goods across borders, spur innovation, and build the capacity of the entire trade sector. 

GTI is developing a flexible menu of innovative activities that leverages the private sector to increase two-way trade and investment between the United States and Ghana. GTI’s transaction advisory services will facilitate exports and investment and adhere to the principle of additionality to address market gaps unfilled by the private sector.

The Innovative Finance Director will lead a flexible, enterprise-driven approach to highlight the role of market forces as an essential catalyst to sustainable growth. GTI works closely with USG trade and investment-focused organizations like United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), Export–Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) and U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to leverage resources and close meaningful deals better.

Position Summary

The Innovative Finance Director will report to the SME Development and Entrepreneurship Director and will lead all investment-related work. The Innovative Finance Director will focus on strategic technical work and relationship management. (S)he will help to create, guide, and advance the annual workplans and achieve the results under Objective D, which include the following:

• Objective D: Develop distinct and innovative ideas for additional programmatic interventions.
• Result D1: Develop innovative finance opportunities for firms in the agriculture sector.
• Result D2: Strengthen the capacity of local institutions and incentivize firms to support SMEs’ access to trade and finance.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the technical operations of developing a flexible menu of innovative activities that leverages the private sector to increase two-way trade and investment between the United States and Ghana.
• Develop, manage, and implement activities under Objective D that will achieve the aforementioned activity objectives and results. Activities can include, but are not limited to:
• Supporting SME and aggregator pipeline development to increase investment opportunities for banks and investors;
• Increasing investment and providing stronger linkages to two-way trade with the United States for businesses that have already achieved the targets of at least $2 million in business transactions under Result C2);
• Identifying the new types of capital required and identify those investors either locally or internationally;
• Boosting two-way trade between the U.S. and Ghana and taking full advantage of U.S. trade incentives like AGOA, focusing on flexibility and co-creation with partner organizations like the DFC;
• Conducting market assessments, improving access to and supporting the development of capital markets;
• Identifying optimal partners, structures, and mechanisms for the establishment of a blended finance facility that can address financing gaps for businesses;
• Exploring and implementing financing options and relevant initiatives to advance FinTech in Ghana, and;
• Collaborating with financial institutions, like the Development Bank of Ghana to support pipeline development, due diligence, and public-private partnerships in the agricultural sector.
• Work with local firms to expand the economy and establish long-standing trade and investment processes.
• Engage and leverage new financial service providers (FSPs) with diversified investment products.
• Identify local institutions with the potential to provide long-term, sustainable business services or investment support beyond the life of GTI.
• Provide or organize technical assistance targeted at de-risking investment, strengthening capacity, and incentivizing firms to scale up innovations.
• Assist to the SME Development and Entrepreneurship Director with policy development, strategic planning, work planning, and coordination of strategies.
• Respond rapidly to requests for information from clients and coordinate with the COP to ensure all clients' technical needs are met.
• Work with the GTI Gender, Youth, and Social Inclusion (GYSI) team to incorporate gender analyses to identify and address any additional constraints to access to finance experienced.
• Draft terms of reference for specific technical assistance assignments as requested.
• Work closely with the MEL team to improve performance management data.
• Promote teamwork and communication to encourage an interactive, cooperative, collaborative, and customer-focused work environment for staff, clients, and stakeholders.
• Draft, contribute to, and review annual work plans, technical reports, bi-weekly reports, quarterly and annual reports, success stories, briefs, and any other communication needs requested by the project.
• Review consultant reports to ensure consistent quality control and timely client submission.
• Perform other duties and special programs as assigned by the to the SME Development and Entrepreneurship Director.

Required Skills or Experience

• At least 15 years of experience working on international donor/development cooperation projects.
• Master’s Degree (preferably in Finance, Economics, Business Administration) or related field.
• Strong understanding of financial markets, investment analysis, and transaction structuring
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills as well as exercise considerable analysis and judgment to identify solutions.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate complex financial concepts to diverse stakeholders.
• Record of superior performance in a deadline-driven environment desirable.
• Experience in developing and implementing investment strategies aligned with organizational goals and market trends.
• Legally authorized to work in Ghana.
• Exceptional analytical skills with a keen eye for detail and the ability to identify and assess investment opportunities effectively.