Business Advisor

The Investment for Business Resilience (IBR) Activity, (formerly known as the Financial Sector Reform Activity), 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 support systemic changes in Ukraine’s economy and to increase the supply of finance available to Ukrainian businesses. IBR aims 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. At the same time, the IBR will support the transformation of Ukraine’s financial sector and work to mobilize private finance for sustained economic growth in Ukraine.

The IBR is looking for candidates to fill in the Business advisor position, LTTA in KYIV OR LVIV

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE:

The IBR is seeking Business Advisor that will provide the technical expertise and program execution of a co-investment grants program to support private sector enterprises (PSEs) to increase sales, increase exports and provide job opportunities in Ukraine.  The Advisor should has experience in providing financing, business support, consulting services to private Ukrainian businesses. The role of the Advisor is to identify Ukrainian business with high growth potential, analyze applications and business plans submitted to the co-investment grants program, engage shortlisted applicants to improve their grant applications through co-creation, including but not limited to clarifying, testing and validating their grant needs, use of funds, proposed co-investment, proposed “pay-for-results” milestones, projected outcomes (increase in sales, exports, and jobs). The Advisor will also monitor business performance, maintain regular contact to provide support and ensure the accuracy of reports and data they provide. The Advisor will also work closely with IBR’s Financial Sector Intermediation team to engage financial institutions to assist in identifying and referring their clients to the program. The Advisor is expected to establish relationships with business associations, chambers of commerce, and government and donor business support programs and other relevant organizations to identify businesses for the grants program.

IBR is interested in both agricultural and non-agricultural sectors. While it does not have a strict sectoral focus, sectors of interest include those that are labor intensive, have high future export potential (e.g., agri-business, food processing), contribute to the resilience and rebuilding of Ukraine (e.g., manufacturing, tools, construction, ICT, energy), and can absorb returning Ukrainian citizens (e.g., ICT, business services, commerce, health).  

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 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 pro-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 weakness 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. 
• Conduct research and draft related reports on key business sectors, export markets, etc. in support of evaluating IBR grants applications, promoting IBR grantees’ growth and general IBR knowledge.
• Work with the IBR grants team to prepare recommendations for USAID approval. 
• Manage and oversee a portfolio of business grantees, maintaining regular contact and tracking progress. Review and analyze reports and performance data from business grantees to verify for accuracy.  
• Provide direct advice and support to help business grantees achieve their goals. Help them identify the consulting or other services that they require. Connect businesses to needed service and business opportunities. Identify potential sales and exports opportunities for grantees or co-investment grant applicants. 
• Propose strong-performing grantees for increases in award size or larger follow-on grants.   
• Provide regular feedback to IBR leadership and the Senior Grants Manager on how to adapt co-investment grants program to improve outcomes and efficiency.  Provide regular feedback to the IBR on policy, legal and regulatory issues that constrain grantees’ ability to grow and create jobs.        
• 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.  
• Perform other related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Advanced degree in finance, economics, management, corporate law, audit or similar related field. An undergraduate degree can be suitable if a candidate has other superior qualifications.
• At least 8 years of professional experience working in or with Ukrainian businesses in a management, management consulting, and/or growth financing capacity.  
• Experience in preparing, developing, assessing and/or implementing business, marketing, sales, revenue projections, and/or strategic plans.
• Experience with development projects similar in scope either directly or as a consultant or beneficiary is an advantage.        
• Proven network among private sector businesses in Ukraine.
• Knowledge of Ukraine’s private, government and donor business support landscape, including management consulting firms, financial institutions, business and export support projects, and chambers of commerce is an advantage.   
• Excellent skills in Microsoft Office suite.
• Experience with project management platforms, such as Asana or Monday, is preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Excellent oral and written Ukrainian and English skills required.  

Qualified individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Please submit Cover Letter and CV to Відправити резюме  by December 31, 2024.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.