About the job

Energy and Security Group (ESG) is searching for qualified Investment and Financing Lead for an anticipated USAID agriculture finance and productive use of energy project in Uganda (Project) captioned Strategic Investment Activity (SIA). The purpose of the 5 year Project is to facilitate development-related transactions and engagements to catalyze varying forms of investment capital to improve the performance of a wide breadth of agricultural value chain actors. We are looking for a candidate to lead the delivery of Objective 1--increased commercial financing in agriculture and related sectors. The ideal candidate is an individual who has successfully worked with relevant government ministries and agencies in Africa, and preferably has experience in one or more U.S. government agencies now engaged in the USAID Power Africa initiative. The ideal candidate will bring collaborative and creative approaches and engage closely and effectively with host country government representatives to advance commercial investments in agriculture. The ideal candidate will have at least 10 years of experience as a Team Leader or similar role leading a significant USAID agriculture sector finance project. The candidate must be comfortable coordinating with various stakeholders at various levels of government and agriculture sector entities, as well as other donor agencies active in agriculture finance activities in Uganda.

Responsibilities:

• Lead delivery of Objective 1--increased commercial financing in agriculture and related sectors, including related technical, administrative, financial, and operational activities of that Objective.
• Provide technical and managerial guidance, oversight, and quality control to subcontractors and short-term technical experts responsible for the technical implementation of the Objective in order to achieve targeted results.
• Experience in catalyzing varying forms of agriculture sector investment capital including local and international equity investors, entrepreneurs, pension funds, banks, impact funds, endowments, insurance firms, high net worth individuals, the diaspora, and development finance institutions.
• Contribute to project-level activities relating to agriculture sector financing, including conducting assessments, identification of highest impact opportunities that are in line with the programs key KPIs, contributing to annual work plans, implementing approved activities, and reporting on progress.
• Engage investors, including impact investors, commercial lenders, institutional and equity investors, family foundations, crowdfunding platforms, and others, to provide support for them to analyze and invest in agriculture projects and/or to grow existing investments in these sectors.
• Assist in convening investors and other event coordination for the finance sector to ensure increased dialogue between existing investors active in the agriculture sector and new potential finance providers.
• Support and advise agriculture sector entrepreneurs and companies directly on finance related tasks such as fundraising strategy and process, identifying and preparing applications to access financing available and appropriate for their needs, including multiple types of sources of funding including grants, equity, hard and local currency debt, blended finance, etc., reviewing and feedback on project structures and financial models, and other investment and finance raising material.
• Facilitate introductions between agriculture entrepreneurs and companies and private investors.
• Manage Kampala based technical staff responsible for implementing the Objective to ensure the quality and timely completion of all programmatic deliverables, the achievement of results, and compliance with contract  requirements.
• Share results and contribute to monitoring, evaluation, and learning with project leadership, ESG, and USAID.

Desirable Qualifications

• Extensive experience in agriculture sector commercial investments as Team Leader, Project Manager, etc. of large-scale USAID and other donor funded programs.
• Master’s degree in finance, economics, business, engineering, law, international relations, or other related area from an accredited college or university and 10 plus years of experience and expertise in agriculture sector activities including delivering agriculture sector finance projects regarding commercial investments in those projects.
• Experience in international project workstream management involving the direct coordination of project activities with high-level governmental officials, including experience managing projects funded by international donor organizations implemented in complex developing country environments.
• Practical experience working with a range of program partners, including government agencies (USG and host country), donors, regulatory bodies, utilities, the private sector, NGOs, civil society, and consumers.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, excellent oral and written communications skills and interpersonal skills, including fluency in written and spoken English.
• Experience working in sub-Saharan Africa is required; experience living or working in Uganda is strongly preferred.
• Willingness to relocate to Uganda (Kampala) during the period of Project implementation.

ESG is an Equal Opportunity Employer and celebrates diversity in our work force. ESG does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, genetic information, gender identity, or any other protected status under applicable law.