DAI Job Vacancy For Principal Specialist, Sustainable Business Group

DAI is an international development company. For more than 45 years, we have worked on the frontlines of international development, tackling fundamental social and economic development problems caused by inefficient markets, ineffective governance, and instability. Currently, DAI is delivering results that matter in some 80 countries. Our development solutions turn ideas into impact by bringing together fresh combinations of expertise and innovation across multiple disciplines. Our clients include international development agencies, international lending institutions, private corporations and philanthropies, and national governments.

Job Title/Grade:            Principal Specialist (9)

Department:                   Sustainable Business Group (SBG)

Reports to:                     Senior Manager, SBG

Date:                               January 10, 2019

Function of the Position:

The Principal Specialist will serve as a key technical lead across the unit’s portfolio with the primary focus being on SBG’s Kosmos Innovation Center Ghana Program. In this capacity, the candidate will serve as the Agribusiness Program Manager, leading implementation of the project in the field and reporting to the Home Office Team Lead.

This role will be positioned to ultimately serve as a core part of the team’s Corporate Social Investment portfolio, which has a focus on entrepreneurship, innovation, and youth development. The Principal Specialist will be trained up on the CSI product line and evolve into one of the teams’ key technical specialists in implementation and sales of SBG’s CSI services, including CSI strategy, program design, program implementation, monitoring & evaluation, and relevant digital tools.

The Principal Specialist will be based in the KIC Ghana office in Accra, with some limited time spent on business development in Ghana and potentially the wider region. The business development side of the scope will grow over time.

Roles and Responsibilities:

The percentages below are illustrative and may evolve and/or change depending on the company’s needs.

Specific responsibilities will include:

1.  KIC Ghana Project Delivery (90%)

• Manage all aspects of KIC Ghana project implementation in the field, including implementation of AgriTech Challenge, KIC Incubator, and the KIC Fellowship.
• Manage local KIC staff, ensuring their work is completed to the satisfaction of the client and supporting their own professional development
• Oversee local subcontractors to ensure their scope is delivered on time, within budget, and to the satisfaction of the client
• Serve as primary point of contact for relationships with Ghana-based client staff

2.  CSI Technical Work (5%)

• Build own capacity, technical knowledge and expertise to master CSI product line, analytics and implementation
• Eventually, lead client technical advisory work associated with CSI and other advisory work
• Manage client relationships and ensure quality and timely delivery to satisfaction of client

3.  CSI Business Development (5%)

• Identify and develop leads for new CSI engagements in Ghana and coordinate proposal efforts with Home Office team
• Build relationships and networks to increase SBG access to potential clients in Ghana
• Contribute to country-level CSI business development strategy

Additional responsibilities as deemed necessary.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Grade 9: Minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience and a bachelor’s degree; or 5 years of relevant professional experience and a master’s degree
• Demonstrated experience leading, designing, and evaluating projects
• Minimum of three years of experience in private sector consulting, extractive industries, enterprise development, and/or local content
• Excellent writing skills and demonstrated experience writing strong technical proposals
• Can work effectively across technical areas, to develop approaches that integrate or leverage resources
• Strong knowledge and/or interest in the oil & gas sector with an emphasis on the procurement, supply-chain management and political-economy/regulatory aspects of the upstream segment
• Demonstrated ability to multi-task in a rapidly changing environment
• Action oriented with strong intellectual agility and ability
• Excellent oral and written communication skills