Вакансія: SME Specialist Surge Support (consultant position)

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 IBR is looking for candidates to fill in SME SPECIALIST SURGE SUPPORT CONSULTANT POSITION IN KYIV OR LVIV.

 PURPOSE OF THE ROLE:

The SME Surge Support Specialist will support the technical management of a co-investment grants program to support private sector enterprises (PSEs) to increase sales, increase exports and provide job opportunities in Ukraine. As IBR quickly expands its activities, the role of the Specialist is to identify Ukrainian business with high growth potential, analyze applications and business plans submitted to the co-investment grants program, and engage shortlisted applicants to improve plans and identify their needs. This role may also work with Activity leadership to identify bottlenecks and propose solutions to optimize the technical side of IBR’s grantmaking process.

OBJECTIVES AND DUTIES:

• Assist IBR team in marketing the co-investment grants program and solicitation, including through financial institutions, chambers of commerce, business support programs and other organizations to identify and engage with high potential businesses.
• Work with the IBR Financial Sector intermediation team to establish and implement a business referral system with financial institutions to identify high potential businesses.
• Review business applicants to co-investment grants program, evaluating business proposals and identifying the strongest applicants.
• Conduct in person and/or virtual discussions with businesses to assess viability of their plans, determine ability to achieve the results proposed and contribute to achieving IBR’s targets and other evaluation criteria. Identify any pre-conditions to co-investment grant funding.
• Work with business applicants to develop clear, strong short plans on the use of performance-based co-investment grants to increase sales, exports or increase job opportunities in Ukraine.
• Identify weaknesses or opportunities that can be addressed, and the specific activities needed to do so. With the business help establish milestones or targets for performance-based payments.
• Provide regular feedback to IBR leadership and the Senior Grants Manager on how to adapt co-investment grants program to improve outcomes and efficiency.
• Work with IBR 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.

 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 5 years of professional experience working in or with Ukrainian businesses in an investment/lending, management, or management consulting capacity, with experience in business investing and/or lending highly preferred.
• Experience in preparing, developing and implementing business plans, marketing and sales strategies or plans. 
• Experience with development projects similar in scope either directly or as a consultant or beneficiary is an advantage. 
• Proven experience building linkages among private sector businesses.
• 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.  
• Solid and persuasive interpersonal and communication skills.
• Language requirements are as follows:
  • Fluency in Ukrainian
  • English level III (General working proficiency) Reading/Writing/Speaking. Preference will be given to the candidates with English level IV (Fluent). 
• Highly skilled in Microsoft Office suite products (Word, Excel, Power Point, Teams).

   Please submit Cover Letter and CV to [email protected] by January 30, 2024.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.