Background 

Banyan Global is an international development consulting firm headquartered in Washington, DC with staff working in a number of developing countries. Banyan Global operates seamlessly within six practice areas: health, finance and investment, enterprise development, gender, youth, and evaluation and learning. Banyan Global is a consortium partner on the Jordan Economic Reform Activity (ERA) Task Order One (TO1) led by Chemonics. ERA TO1 is a 5-year, $54 million program funded by USAID, which aims to support the Government of Jordan (GOJ) to prioritize and implement economic reforms. Through coordination with the GOJ, the Jordanian and international private sector, other donors, and Jordanian civil society, ERA TO 1 will (1) advance economic reforms, (2) strengthen the business enabling environment, (3) increase exports and local, regional, and international investments, and (4) respond to emerging priorities.  

Investment component

The USAID/Jordan Economic Reform Activity (ERA) is working to help stimulate growth in the Jordanian economy through assistance to the Government of Jordan and the private sector. This includes support to increase the volume of local, regional, and foreign investments in the country.

Position Description

The Business Development Specialist will support ERA’s objective to enhance investment promotion and facilitation in Jordan, with a goal to advance Jordan as an attractive investment destination. The Specialist will engage in assisting public sector actors in delivering their mandates, including advancing a pipeline of PPP and local investment opportunities with a focus on investors from North America and the GCC countries. The Business Development Specialist will report to the Investment Promotion Team Lead who in turn reports to the Chief of Party.

• Conduct extensive market research to identify potential clients, markets, and trends. Assist in identifying market opportunities through meetings, networking and other channels
• Assist in generating leads through various methods such as cold calling, networking, attending industry events, and leveraging online marketing strategies
• Building and maintaining relationships with existing and potential investors is crucial
• Build deep understanding of the priority sectors, as well as industry trends, to effectively communicate the value proposition to potential investors
• Drive inward investments growth and provide business development support to the Ministry of Investment (MoIN) and the authorities governing the special economic and development zones (such as Aqaba Special Economic Zone) in developing a network of investors to attract, research new investment opportunities by analyzing sector and sub-sector investment priorities; developing tailored investment profiles (e.g., term sheets, other); improving internal systems and procedures around investment promotion and facilitation; and assisting in the development and implementation of Investment Promotion/attraction strategies
• Lead and assist in investment promotion/attraction related research, training and capacity building, project development, and stakeholder engagement
• Develop and maintain long-term relationships with potential investors in defined sectors within the targeted markets
• Track and monitor relationship progress with investors and continually update investors and government-related entities on new regulations, policies, needs and requirements
• Provide business development support to the GOJ on areas of improvement to better solicit domestic and foreign investments, especially from North America and GCC countries
• Propose sectors and sub-sectors for investment promotion, especially those with high potential to positively impact women and youth
• Craft a list of impact investment opportunities, especially those targeting quality jobs for women and youth
• Oversee the design of promotional programs in targeted sectors and the identification and engagement with targeted investor audiences
• Assist in facilitating access to multinational promotion and attraction mechanisms as appropriate
• Provide thought leadership on innovative investment growth and promotion mechanisms to support business growth in targeted sectors
• Ensure collaboration and coordination, sharing of information, needs, and progress across all functions and components of ERA to implement as one team including but not limited to GESI, MEL, Communications, and all component team leads. Contribute to and/or lead as assigned periodic planning documents, progress, and impact reports for USAID and other partners
• Operate with integrity and assurance of confidentiality, commitment to excellence, compliance with all USAID rules and regulations, contractual requirements, and Chemonics policies, systems, and values
• Collaborate with other donor-funded investment promotion activities

• Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, or a related field; advanced degree is preferred
• Six years of progressive experience in designing and implementing business development and promotion strategies and plans and identifying investment-ready firms
• Experience in designing and delivering business development and promotion support to public sector entities
• Knowledge in business development schemes and promotion programs in Jordan
• Experience working with USAID and other donors is preferred
• Strong project management, communication, presentation, and collaboration skills
• Experience in writing business memos and business analysis is strongly preferred
• Results oriented and self-motivated to create impact
• Fluency in Arabic and English is mandatory

Reporting

The Business Development Specialist will report to the Investment Promotion Team Lead.

Location of Assignment 

The Business Development Specialist will be based in the project’s office in Amman, Jordan. The position requires frequent business travelling.

Applicants must submit their resume through Banyan Global's career portal. It is highly encouraged that applicants tailor their materials to highlight experiences in the above listed task. Please no phone calls. 

Banyan Global is an equal opportunity employer. Banyan Global is committed to diversity and inclusion in our workforce. We do not discriminate against employees based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, or gender expression. We recognize the importance of a diverse and inclusive workplace and intentionally strive for diversity and inclusion at all organizational levels.