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

Project Background:

The Feed the Future Ghana Trade and Investment (GTI) Activity was initiated December 1, 2021 and will run for 5 years.  The activity will work closely with public and private sector stakeholders 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. 

Under the Optional Contract Line-Item Number (CLIN2), GTI will scale up its approach, developing a flexible menu of innovative activities that encompass the Prosper Africa (PA) vision, a whole-of-government effort that leverages the private sector to increase two-way trade and investment between the United States and Ghana. Our transaction advisory services will facilitate exports and investment and adhere to the principle of additionality by only using CLIN2 funding to address market gaps unfilled by the private sector. Through these activities, GTI will serve as a link or resource to the Prosper Africa Deal Teams or other leverage points.

The Export Promotion Specialist will work closely with the Investment & Transaction Director to develop a flexible, enterprise-driven approach to CLIN2 to highlight the role of market forces as an essential catalyst to sustainable growth. CLIN2 will serve as a rapid-response facility that leverages local enterprises with fixed price deliverables through performance-based subcontracts and innovative Grants under Contract (GUCs) designed to support the needs and opportunities identified by the program, the USAID Mission, Prosper Africa, the private sector, and the Embassy Deal Team (EDT). CLIN2 will work 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 better leverage resources and close meaningful deals while aligning with the Clear Choice initiative.

Purpose: 

The Export Promotion Specialist will report to the Investment & Transaction Director and is responsible for leading export promotion-related work that falls within CLIN2. The Export Promotion Specialist will focus on strategic technical work and relationship management and will help advance the CLIN2 workplan and achieve the results under Objective D and Objective E, 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 capacity of local institutions and incentivize firms to support SMEs access to trade and finance.
• Objective E: Scale-up programmatic interventions and increase firm level interventions.
  • Result E1: Improved pipeline development to increase investment opportunities for bankable firms and export-ready businesses.
  • Result E2: Scale up size of investment opportunities for firms already completing business transactions valued in excess of $2 million per firm.

Key Responsibilities:

• Coordinate and contribute to the planning, monitoring, and implementation of interventions and activities under CLIN2.
• Increase the capacity of producer organizations, agribusinesses, and other market actors; build the marketing capacity of potential exporters; and develop business linkages to increase exports.
• Work with local firms to expand the economy and establish sustainable trade and investment processes.
• Identify local institutions with the potential to provide long-term, sustainable business services or investment support beyond the life of GTI.
• Draft terms of reference for specific technical assignments as requested.
• Promote teamwork and communication to encourage an interactive, cooperative, collaborative, and customer-focused work environment staff, client, 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 assure consistent quality control and timely submission to clients.
• 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.
• Work closely with MEL team to improve performance management data.
• Support CLIN1 in addition to CLIN2, as necessary.
• Perform other duties and special programs as assigned by the Investment & Transaction Director.

Location and Reporting: 

The Export Promotion Specialist will be based in Accra, Ghana, and report to the Investment & Transaction Director.

Required Skills or Experience

• College education with equivalent of B.A. or B.S. in related field with 8+ years of related experience OR Advanced degree with 6+ years of related experience.
• Demonstrated capabilities in analyzing market needs, identifying constraints, and designing interventions to address root causes.
• Experience brokering partnerships with development agencies and the private sector.
• Robust understanding of the Ghanaian economy, U.S. and international trade, and process required for firms to export goods out of Ghana.
• Deep understanding of key U.S. and international buyers in relevant sectors, their export requirements, and how, where, and when to access them on behalf of SMEs.
• Broad network of leading international buyers strongly preferred.
• Experience working in underserved areas throughout Ghana preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with staff and partners in a cross-cultural environment.
• Proficiency in oral and written communication in English.