The Monetization Director will lead the design, execution, and oversight of all commodity monetization activities under a USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) Food for Progress (FFPr) initiative focused on improving agricultural productivity and trade in Ghana. The position ensures that donated U.S. agricultural commodities are sold transparently and effectively through designated third-country or in-country channels, generating timely funds for program implementation.

This role will coordinate logistics, customs clearance, buyer engagement, and financial reconciliation to optimize monetization revenue and uphold USDA compliance standards. The Monetization Director will work closely with field and headquarters teams to forecast sales timelines, manage risk, and integrate monetization outcomes into program planning and budgeting.

Requirements

Key Responsibilities

Monetization Strategy and Operations

• Develop and execute monetization plans aligned with USDA/FAS guidelines and FFPr requirements.
• Identify and engage qualified buyers through transparent competitive processes, ensuring optimal pricing and market timing.
• Coordinate with port authorities, freight agents, and customs officials to facilitate commodity receipt and clearance.
• Monitor market dynamics and assess regional or third-country trade conditions that impact sale operations.

Financial Management and Compliance

• Oversee financial documentation, transaction reconciliation, and fund transfer processes related to commodity sales.
• Ensure compliance with USDA monetization protocols including inventory management, payment terms, and reporting.
• Work with finance and procurement teams to integrate monetization proceeds into program work plans and budgets.

Stakeholder Coordination

• Collaborate with internal teams, external auditors, and USDA representatives to align monetization practices with donor expectations.
• Provide regular updates and technical briefings to project leadership on monetization performance and risk mitigation.
• Contribute insights to policy discussions related to import duties, trade corridors, and food supply chain regulations.

Reporting and Learning

• Prepare periodic monetization reports including cost recovery analyses, buyer performance, and financial returns.
• Document lessons learned and best practices for continuous improvement in future monetization cycles.
• Support program adaptation and decision-making by integrating monetization trends into broader strategic analysis.

Qualifications

Education

• Advanced degree in agricultural economics, international trade, business administration, or related field.

Experience

• Minimum 8 years of experience managing commodity sales, supply chain logistics, or donor-financed monetization activities.
• Familiarity with USDA monetization procedures or similar bilateral trade and development platforms.
• Experience working with customs authorities, government agencies, or large-scale buyers in West Africa preferred.

Skills

• Strong analytical and negotiation skills with attention to compliance and documentation.
• Fluency in English; professional proficiency in French highly desirable.
• Proficiency in Excel, inventory tracking software, and trade documentation systems.
• Ability to travel periodically to ports of entry, distribution hubs, and stakeholder sites.