View Vacancy – Private Sector Development Adviser G7 (01/25 ACC)

Main purpose of job:

• The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is looking to recruit a dynamic, well qualified and experienced specialist to lead our policy and programme work on private sector development at the British High Commission in Ghana (BHC).
• The post sits within the BHC’s Green Economic Transformation Team (GET).  The job holder will help lead the UK’s delivery of green and inclusive growth, job creation, innovation and economic transformation in Ghana.  This is a private sector development expert role. It is an exciting opportunity for an experienced and motivated person looking to demonstrate their advisory and policy experience in private sector development, and a chance to work in a dynamic, fast paced environment in a great team.
• The job holder will lead policy work that is likely to cover manufacturing and industrial development; commercial agriculture; business environment reforms; investment; and market systems development. The post holder will also play a strategic role in supporting the Team Leader and the wider team to coordinate delivery of the Green Economic Transformation pillar of the BHC’s Country Business Plan.

About the Foreign Commonwealth Development Office:

• The FCDO operates from the British High Commission in Accra (BHC). BHC is a large post, currently employing around 230 staff, including around 45 UK staff members, spanning ten UK Government Ministries (His Majesty’s Government, or ‘HMG’). The BHC is charged with delivering high impact and complex policy, programmes and campaigns across a wide range of goals.  Staff are expected to embody ‘cross-HMG’ working, and the High Commission aims to be an inclusive place to work, celebrating a workforce with both diversity of thought and background. To help achieve this, the BHC takes a values-based approach to leadership and people management and has a zero-tolerance for bullying and harassment. Our local values are Respect; Openness; and Honesty & Integrity. An understanding and commitment to inclusion and values-based leadership will be discussed during interview.
• BHC Accra has a high profile with regular visits from UK Ministers, with Ghana seen as critical to Africa’s role on the world stage, pioneering approaches to aid, and making key contributions to the regional leadership of West Africa.
• The GET team addresses two closely related problems for economic transformation in Ghana: 
  a) how to generate and sustain growth and productivity in sectors (such as manufacturing and agriculture) that create jobs, as well as build sustainable infrastructure and productive cities to drive that growth; and,
  b) how to ensure the transformation is resilient, pro-poor (including benefiting women and girls), sustainable, and supports ambitious climate goals.
• GET also houses BHC’s work on science, technology and innovation, driving cooperation and partnerships of mutual benefit to the UK and Ghana.
• The successful applicant will join a dynamic team of infrastructure, agriculture and forestry, and science and technology advisers as well as programme managers.
• How we approach our work is important. The How We Work Statement (below) sets out the ambition we share across the FCDO for how we lead and behave towards each other, how we make decisions, and how we get the job done. Some aspects may be particularly relevant to this role.
• We put respect and kindness first. We are inclusive, we get to know each other, and value our diversity and the contribution we each bring. We are fair, act with integrity, and tackle inequality and unacceptable behaviour. We work together and take responsibility to solve problems.
• We draw on the expertise, insight and diverse perspectives of people across the FCDO, HMG, and beyond. We use the best available data and evidence. We are open to challenge and take a sustainable, long-term approach. We are transparent about the rationale for decisions and smart about taking and managing risks.
• We are agile and alert to emerging opportunities. We encourage learning, innovation and use of data and digital. We are clear on what we are expected to deliver and support each other in doing so. We look to reduce duplication and unnecessary process. We are committed to transforming both the FCDO and the way HMG delivers international policy.

Roles and responsibilities:

1. Lead UK policy and programming to support inclusive and transformative private sector led economic growth in Ghana. Work towards improving market systems that support productivity, delivering job creation and green growth in priority sectors by identifying opportunities for policy influencing, programmatic support and engagement.
2. Policy leadership and delivery of the £20 million Jobs and Economic Transformation programme (‘JET’). The programme covers policy reform, investment, market development and private sector development in manufacturing sectors including pharmaceuticals, auto and garments and textiles. Ensure compliance with UK standards for programming, including financial management, oversight of commercial contracts and monitoring of results.
3. Lead design of a proposed follow-on five-year programme focused on economic transformation that considers lessons from JET 1 and the emerging priorities of Ghana and UK. This will require high levels of technical and contextual expertise, taking decisions on UK ODA management, leading procurement and commercial processes, and managing senior commercial, government and wider stakeholders.
4. Operate autonomously to build senior networks in Ghana and lead dialogue with key economic ministries such as Ministries of Trade and Industry, Ghana Investment Promotion Agency, Ministry of Finance and other agencies responsible for trade, industry and export promotion. Lead policies for private sector growth, business, investors and experts to drive reforms and investment into target economic sectors or to support reforms that improve the business environment.
5. Build influential networks within the FCDO in London to shape centrally managed programmes and initiatives that support in-country objectives. This will require engaging with other key advisers in London and globally on BHC Accra’s and Ghana’s private sector development and economic transformation objectives.
6. Be an active member of the FCDO’s Private Sector Development cadre, supporting the cadre’s leadership to deliver high quality policy advice across the FCDO and to deliver learning opportunities.
7. Provide strategic leadership for how UK partnership and support can help deliver related climate and nature goals in Ghana. Work closely with the country economists, forestry adviser, agriculture adviser and the Department for Business and Trade team to improve access to green finance and investment.
8. Lead relationships with the British Investment International’s office in Ghana and maintain relationships and build networks within UK supported Multilateral Development Institutions including the African Development Bank, World Bank and other bilateral development institutions such as GIZ, to jointly identify priority gaps and opportunities for investment into the private sector.  Contribute to the leadership of the Ghana Development Partner Private Sector group.
9. Provide strong technical knowledge and quality advice on private sector development to support the BHC’s diplomatic goals, business planning and strategy.
10. Undertake representation for the mission at high level meetings and events.
11. Lead autonomously on corporate priorities as needed such as UK ministerial visits, policy briefings, and development policy related corporate returns related to the team’s agenda.   Contribute to BHC Accra’s effectiveness and as a good place to work including working on corporate learning and well-being activities.
12. Deputise, on rotation, for the GET team leader, managing one programme manager directly and stepping in to cover other roles within the team as needed. Support cross office management and leadership objectives as required.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure): 

• The role will oversee our Jobs and Economic Transformation bilateral programme of £20m over 5 years. Reporting to the SRO and Team Leader, the job holder will be responsible for the oversight and day to day decisions to deliver this flagship programme. They will also lead the design and delivery of a circa £20m follow on programme – working in conjunction with other advisers in agriculture, infrastructure, climate and innovation. 
• The role holder will be expected to manage at least one programme manager.
• The role holder is also expected to provide oversight of other centrally managed programmes that operate in Ghana in the jobs, economic growth and private sector development sectors.

• expertise and thought leadership in international policy and investment, applicable across a range of themes and geographies, and with a focus on development impact
• use of evidence to inform policy and programming including the use of political economy analysis
• policy and programme delivery, from design through to implementation and appraisal
• international influence and diplomacy, thinking and working politically and cooperatively, and through appropriate challenge, to shape norms and approaches
• brokering partnerships with governments, civil society, the private sector, multilaterals, research organisations and professional bodies in the UK and globally
• delivering value for money by applying key economic and commercial concepts
• safeguarding to ensure the UK does-no-harm by integrating gender equality, child protection, disability inclusion, preventing sexual exploitation and abuse, and sexual harassment
• tackling climate change and restoring nature, ensuring that programmes are aligned with the Paris agreement on climate change and UK commitments on nature
• embodying Civil Service behaviours in applying, communicating, influencing, and leading technical and evidence-informed processes and engagement
• knowledge of data relevant to the operating sector and context and applying professional expertise in the interpretation and analysis of this in support of intended outcomes
• systems thinking, recognising inter-linkages, real-world dynamics, and complexity to help design effective policies and interventions
• innovation and digital development, proactive in exploring and validating innovative approaches, technology solutions and creative ways to address the world’s challenges

Qualification required:

• A strong undergraduate degree in Business, Economics, International Development or related field.
• A postgraduate degree in Business, Economics, Finance, International Development or a related field, OR equivalent professional experience;
• At least 5 years’ experience working on private sector development in Ghana or other relevant contexts. Experience may for example include private sector entities, international development institutions, or government agencies.
• Experience working in development finance either directly or indirectly as part of international development institution.
• Excellent written and spoken English.