Economic Growth, Agriculture, and Food Security Senior Advisor, WAMENA Region
Opportunity
Abt Associates seeks a Senior Advisor to join our growing team of economic growth (EG) and agriculture/food security experts to lead new business efforts and project technical delivery excellence for our West Africa, Middle East, and North Africa (WAMENA) portfolio in the International Development Division (IDD). The WAMENA region includes 35 potential client counties.
The Senior Advisor will work with the WAMENA Regional Vice President (RVP) and Business Development Executive to convert capture efforts into new contracts and will provide technical oversight to WAMENA economic growth, agriculture and food security projects. This role is envisioned to focus primarily on business development for the first 18 months of employment while working in close collaboration with other Abt technical experts, thought leaders and business development professionals.
Key Roles and Responsibilities:
- Collaborate with the WAMENA RVP to select a priority list of EG/AG/FS business opportunities with USAID and, as appropriate, other clients, and to develop an associated client engagement plan.
- Lead EG/AG/FS new business capture efforts in selected countries.
- Serve as a solution architect and lead technical writer for proposals.
- Collaborate with Abt leadership and other EG/AG/FS subject matter experts to formulate innovative strategic approaches to achieve transformative impact and sustainability in program delivery.
- Provide technical assistance on EG/AG/FS programs in WAMENA countries and countries in other regions.
- Initiate collaboration with bilateral and multi-lateral organizations, international initiatives, government agencies, financial institutions and private sector partners.
- Lead the scoping of technical assignments, work planning, and budgeting to be responsive to donor clients and host-country counterparts.
- Support Abt priority new business efforts beyond the WAMENA region.
- Contribute to generating demand for Abt services and expertise within the WAMENA region.
- Identify technical assistance expertise required to achieve the best results and exercise quality assurance over the work and products of less senior staff.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in economics, agricultural economics, economic development, international public policy or a related field.
- At least 10 years of technical experience in developing country contexts for EG/AG/FS projects
- In-depth expertise in one or more technical areas such as agriculture market systems, access to finance, private enterprise development, policy and sector reform.
- Demonstrated success serving as a capture lead, proposal lead, or lead writer for a USAID winning proposal.
- Preferred candidates will have demonstrable experience addressing critical cross-cutting themes such as climate resilience and adaptation, and gender equity and social inclusion.
- French or Arabic language skills are preferred.
- A broad base of experience and understanding of WAMENA countries.
- Willingness to travel internationally up to 30% time or as needed.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor's Degree + Fifteen years of relevant experience, or Master's Degree + Twelve years of relevant experience, or PhD + Ten years of relevant experience
- This position offers an anticipated annual base salary range of approximately $139,000 USD to $180,000 USD and may vary by ten percent depending on candidate geographic location. Salary offers are made based on internal equity and market analysis.
- Abt Associates is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse workforce. Abt Associates provides market-competitive salaries and comprehensive employee benefits. Local candidates strongly encouraged to apply.
Disclaimer:
Abt Associates will never ask candidates for money in exchange for an offer of employment.