Local Investment Transparency Specialist
Europe and Eurasia (E&E)
Location: 12 countries in the E&E region (see below)
Status: Consultancy, STTA
Period of Performance: o/a February 2024 – July 2024
IDG is currently implementing the Economic Development, Governance, and Enterprise (EDGE) Growth Project, which covers 12 countries in the E&E region (Albania, Azerbaijan, BiH, Moldova, North Macedonia, Serbia, Armenia, Belarus, Kosovo, Montenegro, Georgia, Ukraine). EDGE focuses on reducing barriers to cross-border trade and investment, improving business enabling environment through enhanced stakeholder participation, improving financial sector stability and increasing access to finance, and improving competitiveness through value chains and trade promotion.
Through EDGE’s Buy-In Component, IDG is implementing the Investment Transparency Activity (ITA) in the E&E region.
The ITA seeks to implement four pilots across the above EDGE countries to counter corruption and foreign malign influence. The non-transparency of government policies and actions increases the risk and uncertainty faced by economic actors in the E&E region. Both foreign and domestic investors are impacted. Investment transparency has a well-documented effect on foreign direct investment. According to empirical evidence analyzed by the World Trade Organization and US Trade Commission, on average a one percent increase in a country’s transparency ranking results in a 40 percent increase in FDI.1 Nations that are able to increase and maintain their levels of transparency can expect an increase in foreign direct investment, all else equal. This increase in investment will translate into greater social welfare, economic efficiency, and citizen trust in their representative governments.
Position Description:
IDG is searching for a Local Investment Transparency Specialist to review EU investment transparency laws, specifically those on ultimate beneficial ownership, public procurement, public-private partnerships, and concessions. Additionally, the candidate will assist in the implementation of a study tour on investment promotion. The candidate will be based in in one of the above countries with potential travel required in the Winter/Spring of 2024.
Key Responsibilities:
Support the Team Lead in conducting a brief desk review of relevant investment transparency laws.
Assist with identifying target counterparts/beneficiaries and liaise with counterparts/beneficiaries during implementation.
Liaise with USAID Mission and government officials from participating countries.
Support the development of conference materials.
Prepare input for project reports including quarterly reports, annual reports, and other ad hoc reports requested by USAID.
Other tasks as assigned by the Team Lead.
Qualifications:
Relevant professional experience in investment transparency.
At least 15-20 years of professional experience.
Undergraduate degree from a recognized university required. Advanced degree from a recognized university in a relevant field of expertise preferred.
At least 5 years of professional experience in the E&E region.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
Strong favorable references verifying uniformly positive work in similar circumstances.
Fluent in at least one local language of the E&E region preferred.
International Development Group LLC is an international development consulting firm that assists donors, governments, and the private sector to create and take advantage of opportunities for sustainable, broad-based economic development and poverty reduction. IDG provides entrepreneurs and policymakers with the practical tools needed to achieve real and measurable impact for their communities and countries. IDG assistance programs aim to build the capacity, skills, and knowledge of local individuals and institutions in the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors, fostering synergies between local knowledge and international experience.
