Program Associate

Description of Position: The Program Associate, Portfolio for Impact and Innovation will report to the Managing Director in the Office of Catalytic Investments (OCI). Incumbent of this position serves as a junior officer supporting the ongoing development, administration and reporting of PI², which is a financing program supporting early-stage companies.  The incumbent will also support other officers on the most complex, sensitive, or precedent-setting finance projects.  The incumbent is responsible for supporting the full range of activities related to process transactions from business development, initial screening through due diligence, negotiating and structuring, approval, documentation, closing and funding.   The incumbent is responsible for independently working on key aspects of PI² portfolio administration, which will require leading quarterly and annual reporting efforts, providing analysis on the portfolio, coordinating with internal and external stakeholders and leading special initiatives as required.  At this level, the incumbent provides critical support that involves business development, analysis of issues, representing the agency when no need for agreements outside of already established parameters is expected, and negotiating with other U.S. agencies, private consultants, or foreign governments on language in documents to which the United States Government is or will be a signatory.   Work may be conducted in any country and any sector (including housing, service industries, manufacturing, agribusiness, and on-lending to micro finance and banking institutions). 

 

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

Incumbent(s) will perform multiple duties to manage and administer the PI² program, including work to build and maintain a pipeline of potential transactions; conduct pre-screening evaluations of PI² projects; prepare quarterly, annual and as need reporting for the PI² Working Group; prepare presentations for internal and external meetings; coordinate with PMD to set up a reporting systems for PI² transactions; supporting PI² marketing efforts to co-investors and clients; work with other DFC departments such as ODP, Legal, OEA and PMD, to develop fact sheets, questionnaires, templates and other documentation to improve program efficiency; and build a system to track and implement lessons learned. 

Supports in-depth analyses of new loan proposals to determine their financial, technical, economic, legal, marketing, and political feasibility.  Performs in depth analyses of:  the nature of the proposed business ventures; the financial statements provided by the sponsors; country related macroeconomic and microeconomic risks; risks related to project contractual obligations; the eligibility, financial standing and business background of the sponsor; and other related factors.  Works with and modifies sponsor provided financial projections to assess logical model construction and adequacy of business case assumptions for the proposed DFC financing.  As necessary, as part of the due diligence process, creates financial models and conducts sensitivity analyses to test project assumptions and key economic drivers. 

Supports analysis to negotiate with key interested parties on DFC financing terms, including collateral security and completion support, and policy requirements.  

Consults, as required, with recognized industry experts on the PI² program and proposed projects. Obtains information through field visits, correspondence with officials of the host country, private firm representatives, U.S. AID and Embassy personnel and other sources needed to analyze applications for DFC financing assistance. 

Prepares recommendations and required papers and correspondence.  Supports the presentation of loan proposals to the various approval committees. Reviews and comments on contracts, obtains appropriate agency clearances and obtains investor's signature and fee. 

Works with OCOO, OCI and other origination departments to develop new PI² business opportunities.  As required, advises representatives of private U.S. firms on the DFC' s financing programs and initiatives. 

Attends conferences as required, and participates in interdepartmental activities such as Task Forces when directed. 

 

Qualifications:

Must be a U.S. Citizen and capable of obtaining a public trust.

 

EDUCATION: 

The PSC shall have a minimum of an undergraduate degree in international business/studies, international relations, finance, business, economics, or political science, or a related field. A master’s degree is preferred.

 

EXPERIENCE:

The PSC shall have a minimum of 3 years of experience within the last 10 years in the following: 

Some knowledge in all aspects of international emerging markets corporate finance and demonstrated skills in related areas such as accounting, credit analysis, management and operations, country political and economic issues, international investments, impact investing, and commercial or investment banking. 

Interest or experience in early stage and venture investing in international emerging markets. 

Skill and demonstrated aptitude in program management and project planning, including strategic program planning and evaluation. 

Education or experience applying business knowledge to project structuring and development of loan terms. 

Understanding of key factors in analyzing and structuring complex international finance projects. 

Some knowledge of the unique procedures and processes of various supporting government agencies, foreign countries and industry. 

Familiarity with various financial software applications to develop or modify spreadsheets for financial analyses. 

Applied knowledge of project management principles and methodologies, including coordinating the work with other professional employees, lawyers and technical consultants. 

Ability to work independently to develop completed work with minimal technical review. 

Demonstrated ability to communicate orally including explaining technical information to a variety of audiences, negotiating to resolution with affected parties such as agency customers or consultants and presenting information to all levels of employees. 

Skill in preparing for a variety of audiences business memos and correspondence which are explanatory, persuasive or exploratory in nature. 

Demonstrated ability to evaluate or respond to requests for financial support from entrepreneurs or businesses. 

Working, often independently or with minimal supervision, on simultaneous projects, in a complex environment, and under deadlines. 

Excellent English speaking, reading, and writing skills. 

 

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE:

Evaluation preference will be given to applicants who have the following special skills or knowledge of a technique, process, operating system, etc.:

Some academic knowledge of and/or experience evaluating and responding to requests for financial support from entrepreneurs or businesses undertaking business activities in emerging market countries. 

Awareness of key factors to evaluate and respond to requests to a development finance institution for financial support. 

Broad and comprehensive understanding of development finance and the work of development finance institutions.