Company Profile

Since 1963, ACDI/vOCA has empowered people in 145 developing and transitional nations to succeed in the global economy. Based in Washington, D.C., ACDI/VOCA is a non profit 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.

Job Description

Overview:

ACDI/VOCA is currently a subcontractor on a five-year program entitled “Feed the Future Ghana Trade and Investment (GTI) Activity” funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The aim of the GTI Activity is to enhance economic growth in Ghana by facilitating growth in export-oriented trade, stimulating investment related to high-value commercial crops, promoting job creation, particularly among women and youth, and promoting economic diversification. GTI’s objectives seek to improve the systems in which firms operate to support enterprise-level productivity and growth. GTI will facilitate investments to firms that trade goods across borders, spur innovation, and build the capacity of the entire trade sector.

Pursuant to its mission, ACDI/VOCA is seeking an experienced and talented professional for the Inclusive Business and Employment Promotion Specialist position. The position will be based in Accra and is responsible for providing technical implementation support to Component C of the GTI activity, which aims to increase investments, particularly for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs). The Inclusive Business and Employment Promotion Specialist will support the project primarily in the areas of building an inclusive entrepreneurship ecosystem, as well as workforce development, capacity building, and organizational development. This person will report to the GTI SME and Entrepreneurship Development Director.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The position holder is responsible for ensuring that businesses employ at least 20 percent more skilled workers, especially women, youth, and persons with disabilities (PwDs). The role facilitates human capital development on a systemic level by reducing talent gaps and ensuring that women, youth, and PwDs seeking jobs have soft skills, as well as the business and agricultural value chain specific skills needed by SMEs and end-use firms that GTI supports. This person will also coordinate with local organizations to strengthen agriculture SME start-ups and facilitate business trainings, inclusion best practices, and commercial agricultural focused innovation. This work will ensure inclusive growth and increased capacity to employ skilled workers. Responsibilities include:

• Collaborate closely with other institutions to ensure complementarities and synergies in the development of successful SMEs to achieve strong developmental results and impact.
• Collaborate on technical and organizational planning, implementation, and coordination of project activities (macro-level consultation, capacity building measures, seminars, workshops, conferences, publications, etc.) in the areas of inclusive entrepreneurship and employment promotion.
• Support project partners in organizational development, especially in the field of trade and investment.
• Support project partners in developing approaches and instruments for inclusive employment promotion, with a focus on women, youth, and PwDs.
• Establish and expand professional networks, including cross-border networks.
• Increase the service delivery capacity of SME-support institutions to provide inclusive business development services to SMEs. Help SMEs adjust approaches as necessary to increase outreach and strengthen those led by women, youth, and PwDs.
• Collaborate with SME support organizations to develop inclusion strategies and practices among SMEs, such as non-discriminatory human resource policies or mentorship programs that build women or youth’s capacity to take on leadership roles.
• Oversee the private sector institution capacity building component of the project, including all target value chains.
• Liaise with growth-oriented and large agribusinesses to identify and address needs and opportunities to expand employment for women, youth, and PwDs.
• Coordinate partnerships between training institutes and private sector actors to develop/ upgrade curricula and launch apprenticeships and internship programs.
• Coordinate with training institutes to develop strategies and relationships to link training participants to private sector businesses.
• Identify and work with local public and private organizations to facilitate acceleration/ incubation to build the business and entrepreneurship skills of SMEs and employees.

Required Skills or Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in business, organization development, marketing/entrepreneurship, psychology, sociology, gender, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible management experience in promotion of inclusive employment opportunities, industrial relations/liaison, training, development, and working with programs that are of a similar scope and complexity. USAID program experience is highly preferred. 
• Demonstrated experience in implementation of SME development, finance, investment, market systems, and private sector engagement.
• Demonstrated experience working with marginalized populations like women, youth, and PwDs. Knowledge of USAID gender, youth, and disability policies and frameworks is a plus.
• Demonstrated in-depth knowledge of and experience managing SME development, finance, investment, market systems, and private sector engagement programs.
• Proven ability to facilitate high-value partnerships with communities and private and public sector stakeholders.
• Knowledge of livelihood and/or food security programming is an advantage.
• Knowledge of regional, cross-border, and international trade procedures, market information systems, and quality standard requirement for agriculture is preferred.
• Ability to work effectively within tight deadlines.
• Excellent analytical and report writing skills.
• Fluency in English required, Ghanaian languages preferred.