Director, Private Sector Competitiveness at Creative Associates International

Requisition Number: 17-0208
Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Division: Economic Growth Division

Position Summary

• The purpose of the AgCompete project is to strengthen agriculture productivity and profitability of smallholder farmers in Nigeria.
• The project will be composed of three main components: design of the Agriculture Competitiveness Fund for private sector partnerships and funding to catalyze technological innovations; administration of the Agriculture Competitiveness Fund to develop private sector partnerships and provide grants; and technical assistance that directly supports, coordinates, and organizes qualifying recipients to achieve the Missions food security objectives.
• The project will contribute to the Mission’s overall Feed the Future strategy, which looks to improve agriculture competitiveness of smallholder farmers in Nigeria.

Reporting & Supervision:

• Reporting directly to the DCOP, the Competitiveness Director will lead the project’s activities to support micro, small and medium enterprise agribusinesses participating in the Innovation Fund activities.

Primary Responsibilities

• Design and lead activities that build capacity of MSMEs to address relevant technical and management constraints;
• Facilitate linkages to improve access to finance, employment and business advisory services;
• Strengthens business skills and facilitates linkages along the value chains.

Expected Outcomes:

• Delivers technical expertise in MSME development;
• Dynamic representation of Creative before grantee MSMEs;
• Achieves component deliverables.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• At least a Masters’ degree in business, economics, accounting, finance or other relevant field (or, alternately, a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and 5 additional years of relevant experience);
• At least 7 years of relevant work experience, including experience with a Contractor or international NGO managing an office or program, in firm-level enterprise development;
• Prior relevant experience with USAID or USAID-funded projects is required;
• Experience managing projects and/or an office with culturally diverse teams;
• Prior experience in Nigeria required;
• Excellent oral and written English required.