Vacancy: Transaction Advisor

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 Objective D & E (Obj. D & E), 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. GTI’s transaction advisory services will facilitate exports and investment and adhere to the principle of additionality by only using Obj. D & E 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 Transaction Advisor will work closely with the Investment & Transaction Director to develop a flexible, enterprise-driven approach to Obj. D & E to highlight the role of market forces as an essential catalyst to sustainable growth. Obj. D & E should 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 and the private sector. Obj. D & E should 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 Transaction Advisor will report to the Investment & Transaction Director and is responsible for leading transaction-related work that falls within Obj. D & E. The Transaction Advisor will focus on strategic technical work and relationship management and will help advance the Obj. D & E 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 sectors.
  
  
  • 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.
  
  
  
  

Location and Reporting: 

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

Key Responsibilities:

• Coordinate and contribute to the planning, implementing, monitoring, and implementation of interventions and activities under Obj. D & E.


• Work closely with international and in-country teams, stakeholders, partner institutions, and beneficiary firms to deliver effective technical assistance and investment promotion support.


• Identify, disseminate, and promote investment opportunities through transaction facilitation and tailored deal structuring for specific investments.


• Analyze the network of potential transactions to select those that may be assisted in achieving financial closure, and present recommendations for prioritization among the selected transactions.


• Review and prepare an analysis of promising bankable private sector driven, high‐impact trade & investment projects and carry out preliminary due diligence (e.g., project merit, competence of project sponsor, risk factors, etc.).


• Strengthen blended finance transactions for resilience activities implemented by local governments, local communities, civil society organizations, or the private sector.


• Draft terms of reference for specific technical assignments as requested.


• 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.


• Perform other duties and special programs as assigned by the Investment & Transaction Director.

Required Skills or Experience

• University 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.


• Capability to examine and identify bankable deals and companies, including for both private investment and public investment in a broad array of sectors.


• Extensive experience in structuring or facilitating investments in emerging markets, structuring investment partnerships, deal structure, and brokering/matchmaking.


• Robust understanding of the Ghanaian economy, international trade, and the role SMEs play in Ghana.


• Demonstrated capabilities in analyzing market needs, identifying constraints, and designing interventions to address root causes.


• Existing relationships with a diverse set of investors is preferable.


• 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.