Business Advisor at Pragma Corporation

Pragma is a leader in international development consulting with a focus on advancing economic growth and reform in some of the world’s most challenging environments. We are a small business with deep-rooted expertise in leveraging public and private-sector partnerships to create jobs, promote reform, and boost opportunities for trade and investment.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Business Advisor

Location: Abuja

Job Description

• The Pragma Corporation seeks long term Senior Business Advisors for the USAID-funded Feed-the-Future West Africa Trade and Investment Activity (Trade Hub) Project.
• The project will aim to improve private sector competitiveness in West Africa with a focus on increasing the agricultural productivity and profitability of smallholder farmers in Nigeria and promoting West Africa's regional and international trade.
• The Business Advisor is in charge of developing a transaction-based strategy to achieve results for the export enhancement and job creation project area and demonstrating that the contractor’s role is to improve the competitiveness of the private sector.
• The Business Advisor is expected to carry out technical analysis on business competitiveness constraints as well as working with the private sector to identify solutions to overcome them.
• In addition, s/he will provide technical assistance to potential and existing grantees; conduct training to bolster company success/access other finance; conduct AGOA Training and support to satisfy requirements.
• S/he is required to work with stakeholders inside and outside the project to ensure a transaction-based approach to achieve desired development results.
• S/he must have technical expertise in private sector development and experience in designing and leading assessments and interventions in the promotion, development, and expansion of the private sector at the firm and sector levels in several potential value chains such as agro-products, garment and apparel, leather, ICT and others.

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Graduate Degree in a field relevant to private sector development. In circumstances where a candidate possesses exceptional relevant experience but lacks a graduate degree (defined as a minimum of 10 years of experience), exceptional relevant post-education experience will be considered.
• Ten years of relevant market-driven private sector experience in the role of managing, developing, and deploying innovations and efficiencies in businesses with demonstrated results in helping firms expand, at least three years in an international developing country context.
• Ability to prospect for potential new project partner enterprises, in order to jointly improve their operations, improve their competitiveness and enhance their business growth.
• Ability to build relationships with management of project partner enterprises, leading to develop a strong shared vision about enterprises needs and recommendations to enhance their competitiveness, growth their business and generate employment.
• Direct experience with one or more sectors including agribusiness, leather, textile, and ICT is desirable.
• Integrity and honesty in the management of a portfolio of private sector partner enterprises
• Excellent communication skills and ability to get along with people and stakeholders at all levels.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English are required.
• Previous work experience in the Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal and/or West Africa is desirable.

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should send their Resume to: [email protected] Please include "Business Advisor Candidate, West Africa Trade and Investment Hub" in the subject line of your email.

Note: Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.