Finance & Investment Advisor

**Finance & Investment Advisor**

**Primary Duties and Responsibilities**:
Under the supervision of the R1 Team Lead, The Finance and Investment Advisor will be mainly responsible for providing guidance and support to selected NEEREs to secure their finance and investment needs. The Advisor will work closely with financial institutions, export councils, and SMEs to help SMEs secure needed finance and investment.

**TASKS**
- ** **Strengthen the finance and investment ecosystem in Egypt (e.g., SMEs, trade support institutions, banks and financial institutions, investors, relevant government agencies, finance and investment facilitators, trainers, etc.) that supports SME exporters in Egypt
- Support SME exporters in developing their financial and investment business plans /proposals based on the financial institution requirements
- Identify finance and investment institutions that offer finance and investment products needed by SME exporters and help them develop solutions that help SMEs
- Support and analyze project-selected SME exporters' needs for finance or investment to increase their export
- Support project selected SME exporters in developing financial/investment plans
- Help facilitate access to finance/investment to SME exporters with financial institutions and investors
- Advise and provide coaching support to SME exporters until they secure needed finance and investment
- Provide technical support and coaching to counterpart Export Councils to build robust and sustainable work relationships with identified finance and investment institutions to benefit their members.
- Collaborate proactively with TRADE colleagues in Result 1, Result 2, and Result 3, and the cross-cutting team (e.g., private sector engagement; ecommerce; gender; monitoring, evaluation, and learning; communications; training/events; finance; operations; and HR) to the benefit of SME exporters.

**Required Qualifications**:

- A Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or Finance with 15+ years of related experience, or a master’s degree in Finance with 10+ years of related experience.
- A detailed understanding of the SME financing and investment field and a proven experience working on SME financing/investment challenges, particularly in the trade arena.
- A detailed knowledge of and strong networks with leading financial institutions and investors (banks, VCs, Angel investment networks, leasing and factoring companies, credit risk associations, private equity associations, etc.), especially as related to trade.
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with staff and partners in a cross-cultural environment.
- Proficiency in both verbal and written communication in both English and Arabic.

**Project Overview and Role**:
USAID’s Trade Reform and Development in Egypt (TRADE) project builds on decades of U.S. investments in Egyptian businesses and economic policy with the aim of substantially increasing Egyptian exports from Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). The TRADE project focuses on six selected sectors: engineering products, food processing, home têxtiles, ready-made garments, chemicals, and building materials. Through the project, USAID works with the Government of Egypt to improve the trade and investment policy environment and reduce barriers to trade. USAID also partners with business associations and export councils to strengthen the trade services ecosystem for small
- and medium-sized exporters, as well as with private companies to help them access new international markets to increase export sales. TRADE tackles many trade and investment-related issues to sustainably increase Egyptian exports and drive economic growth.

**Company Overview**:
**About Palladium** - Palladium is a global leader in the design, development and delivery of Positive Impact - the intentional creation of enduring social and economic value. We work with governments, businesses, and investors to solve the world's most pressing challenges. With a team of more than 3,000 employees operating in 90 plus countries and a global network of over 35,000 experts, we help improve economies, societies and, most importantly, people's lives.