Job Description
The Pragma Corporation (https://pragmacorp.com ) seeks a highly experienced Access to Finance Team Lead for Ukraine’s upcoming USAID STRONG project. This role will provide technical leadership and strategic oversight to improve access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), facilitate investment, and strengthen Ukraine’s financial sector. The position will be based in Ukraine and report to the Chief of Party (COP), working closely with the USAID team and other project stakeholders.
Responsibilities:
- Lead the development and implementation of activities to improve access to finance for SMEs, focusing on underserved segments such as women-led enterprises, rural businesses, and startups.
- Provide technical guidance on various financial sector reforms, including capital market development, digital finance, and credit access initiatives.
- Oversee the design and execution of innovative financial products, services, and credit mechanisms, ensuring alignment with market needs and USAID goals.
- Work with international advisors on access to finance issues.
- Develop partnerships with financial institutions, fintech companies, and investors to expand access to capital for businesses across Ukraine.
- Work closely with the National Bank of Ukraine and other stakeholders to ensure project activities align with broader economic development and reform initiatives.
- Lead capacity-building efforts for local financial institutions, regulators, and policymakers to promote sustainable finance practices.
- Monitor and evaluate project performance, ensuring all financial access targets and deliverables are met on time and within budget.
- Serve as the primary liaison between Pragma, USAID, local partners, and other key stakeholders on all finance-related activities.
- Provide training and technical support to project staff, partners, and beneficiaries on financial instruments, business finance, and capital access strategies.
- Contribute to project reporting and meet all USAID contractual and regulatory requirements.
Qualifications:
- At least ten years of experience in financial sector development, including access to finance initiatives, capital markets, and SME financing.
- Preferred experience in leading complex, multi-disciplinary projects in Ukraine or developing or transitional economies, with USAID experience preferred.
- In-depth knowledge of financial systems, products, and regulatory environments in Ukraine or similar post-conflict or transitional economies.
- Demonstrated success in establishing partnerships with financial institutions, investors, and fintechs to promote innovative financial services.
- Strong understanding of capital markets, digital finance, credit risk management, and critical financial access strategies relevant to Ukraine.
- Experience managing diverse teams and providing strategic leadership on financial sector reforms.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills in Ukrainian, with professional English fluency.
- Master’s degree in finance, economics, business administration, or a related field.
- High level of organizational skills and the ability to work in a fast-paced, results-oriented environment.
About the Organization
The Pragma Corporation is an international development firm headquartered in the Washington, DC area. With more than a quarter century of development experience worldwide, involving more than 600 projects, we provide expert technical and management consulting services to such donor organizations as the United States Agency for International Development, the Asian Development Bank, and the World Bank. Our areas of specialization include Small and Medium Enterprise Development, Accounting Reform, Training, and Examination; Regulatory Reform and Business Environment Improvement; Agribusiness Development; Capital and Financial Market Development; WTO Accession; Customs Reform and Cross-Border Trade; and Regional Trade Promotion.
