Вакансія: Market Linkages Specialist

The Investment for Business Resilience Activity (formerly known as the Financial Sector Reform Activity) in Ukraine is a five-year program funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and managed by DAI Global LLC (DAI). The purpose of the activity is to transform the country’s financial sector into a sophisticated, well-functioning, competitive market that is aligned with European Union (EU) standards and integrated into international financial systems. This transformation will mobilize private finance for sustained economic growth in Ukraine.

The FSR is looking for candidates to fill in the MARKET LINKAGES SPECIALIST position.

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE:

The  Investment for Business Resilience Activity  (IBRA) is seeking to hire several senior-level Market Linkages Specialists that identify and structure potential investments to facilitate sales and export deals and financing for private sector Ukrainian firms. The Market Linkages Specialists will be responsible for the design and management of the domestic and international marketing activities of FSR investments. They will provide the technical management of IBRA investments (through co-investment grants) to medium and large-sized Ukrainian firms to enable them to take advantage of sales, export, and other opportunities that lead to employment growth. The Market Linkages Specialists, in collaboration with the Sector Leads, will design co-investment grants and technical assistance to firms in support of marketing, investment preparedness, and deal and investment facilitation activities in order to increase access to new domestic buyers, international markets, and financing opportunities for further growth and expansion. The Specialists are expected to establish relationships with business associations, chambers of commerce, export credit agencies, government and donor business support programs, private equity investments, investment funds, international financial institutions, and other relevant organizations to identify opportunities and leverage FSR’s investments. 

The  Investment for Business Resilience Activity  (IBRA) is interested in the agricultural and non-agricultural sectors. While it does not have a strict sectoral focus, sectors of interest include those that have existing of high future export potential (e.g., agriculture, agri-business, food processing), that contribute to the resilience and rebuilding of Ukraine (manufacturing, tools, construction, ICT, energy), and can employ returning Ukrainian citizens (ICT, business services, commerce, health).   

OBJECTIVES AND DUTIES: 

• Design and implement investment grants and technical assistance activities to support increased domestic and international sales by identified firms or within targeted sectors. 
• Market the co-investment grants program to Ukrainian medium and large enterprise as well as domestic and foreign buyers of Ukrainian goods and services and solicit high quality applications.
• Review business applicants to co-investment grants program, evaluating business proposals. Review applications submitted to IBRA to identify the strongest applicants.
• Work with businesses to develop clear, strong shot plans on the use of performance-based co-investment grants to increase sales, exports or increase job opportunities in Ukraine. Develop pay-for-results partnerships, development of co-investment grant and, if needed, technical assistance packages for businesses. Establish milestones or targets for performance.
• Manage and oversee a portfolio of medium and large-sized enterprise partners. Provide direct advice and support to help business grantees achieve their goals. Help them identify the consulting or other services that they require. Maintain regular contact and informally and formally track progress under agreements, suggesting interventions when needed. Review and analyze reports and performance data from business grantees to verify for accuracy. Propose strong-performing grantees for increases in award size or larger follow-on co-investment grants.  
• With sector stakeholders to jointly identify and prioritize investments that lead to accessing funding, an increase in sales, exports and create jobs. Identify needs and opportunities to accomplishing this. Seek out potential sales and exports opportunities for Ukrainian businesses, matching buyers and sellers. Build linkages, broker deals, and provide tailored technical assistance focused on growing businesses in an inclusive manner.
• Establish relationships with medium and large firms, foreign buyers, export credit agencies, local and international business associations and chambers of commerce, business support programs and other organizations to identify opportunities. and serve as a liaison to institutions, organizations, and agencies that provide market linking and investment promotion services for targeted sectors.
• Conduct ongoing end market analyses and identify linkages with prospective buyers and investors in targeted value chains. Build marketing capacity of private sector and other value chains stakeholders. For example, design initiatives to help groups of firms participate in business-to-business meetings, trade missions and trade fairs, negotiate with buyers and investors, understand end market trends and opportunities, and develop joint promotion and branding initiatives that lead to sales or exports.
• Work with IBRA Communications Team to develop press releases, stories, case studies, videos and other material on supported businesses, working with businesses to secure the needed information,
• Support the Monitoring and Evaluation Team to conduct portfolio impact surveys and studies. 
• Provide regular feedback to IBRA leadership and the Senior Grants Manager on how to adapt co-investment grants program to improve outcomes and efficiency.  Provide regular feedback to the IBRA on policy, legal and regulatory issues that constrain grantees’ ability to grow and create jobs. 
• Perform other related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Must have an advanced degree in one of the following areas: finance, economics, management, finance/corporate law, and audit or in a specialty linked to a business sector (e.g. agriculture, ICT, engineering). 
• At least 7 years of professional experience working in or with Ukrainian businesses in a management, management consulting, investment or banking capacity, with some experience on identifying sales and export opportunities. Proven experience in building linkages among private sector businesses. Experience in either analyzing businesses or investments, developing and implementing business plans, marketing and sales strategies or plans. 
• Knowledge of Ukraine’s private, government and donor business support landscape, including management consulting firms, business and export support projects and chambers of commerce is an advantage.  
• Five or more years’ experience in one or more  relevant sectors, including agriculture, manufacturing, or trade  is an advantage. 
• Experience with finance or development projects similar in scope either directly or as a consultant or beneficiary is an advantage. 
• Solid and persuasive interpersonal and communication skills.
• Highly skilled in Microsoft Office suite products (Word, Excel, Power Point, Teams).
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English and Ukrainian.

Please submit Cover Letter and CV to [email protected] by December 30, 2023.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.