The role

AECF is seeking an Investments Associate to join our growing investments and advisory services team and bring Sub-Saharan Africa investment, deal structuring, investment advisory services, and fundraising expertise to the team. The Investments Associate will support the portfolio team with pre-investment analysis of potential companies, driving analysis to assess financial and impact viability, as well as the growth prospects of companies during due diligence. Post-investment, the incumbent will work with the portfolio team to identify investees’ needs for investment readiness and provide this support, as well as provide investment facilitation services, lead investor searches, structure deals, and negotiate with investors to increase access to commercial funding by catalyzing additional capital for portfolio companies. In addition, they will be responsible for country- and sector-level research and analysis, assisting in the development of operations for new investment products, and providing support with deal origination, due diligence, investment structuring and negotiation, portfolio management, and portfolio reporting.

The role will be based in Nairobi with occasional travel in the region.

Key responsibilities

Financial and impact analysis

• Analyzing company accounts, financial projections and impact potential and position these in the investment memorandum for investment consideration.
• Provide updates on financial markets, countries, and sector activities to help position potential investees’ viability and potential in local and global markets.
• Creating financial models that enhance the return on investment of projects/businesses and financial planning.
• Preparation of financial documents for presentation to the internal investment review committee, as well as the investment committee.

Deal structuring, negotiations, and execution

• Sourcing and origination of investments and carrying out the initial investment appraisal of potential AECF portfolio companies towards a healthy portfolio.
• Develop a strong pipeline of good-quality investment opportunities for investment products.
• Conduct detailed due diligence on prospective investee companies and develop the requisite investment memorandum for investment decisions.
• Structure complex investments (comprising both debt and equity) according to understanding and assessment of client and country risks. Negotiate terms with clients, internal and external stakeholders, and partners. Prepare client/partner presentations and support their decision-making at key transaction stages.
• Lead transaction team through the investment process, actively handling key work and directing and coordinating work of other team members from across multiple departments towards closing investment deals.
• Take full responsibility and accountability for transaction-related decisions and relationships, to execute transaction documentation and disburse investment capital.
• Manage a portfolio of companies to achieve the objectives of the investment and play a lead role in portfolio management processes, monitoring, and institutional investor reporting processes.

Insights and knowledge sharing

• Develop a system/technique to derive knowledge and understanding of investors’ appetite relevant to AECF’s portfolio, build relationships, and educate investors about the AECF portfolio and investment opportunities.
• Share expertise as a subject matter expert, providing advice, peer review, and contribution to knowledge products and program design across the AECF to strengthen internal and/or external client solutions.

Required qualifications, experience, and attributes:

• Must possess a Bachelor’s Degree in business or commerce. A master’s degree in business or finance will be an added advantage.
• A CFA-level certification or an advanced stage of completion.
• At least 5-7 years of experience in the field of financial analysis, investment analysis, management consulting, corporate finance, private equity, or venture debt with a proven track record of sourcing, structuring, and closing investments.
• Strong analytical skills to review and analyze complex financial information. Knowledge and experience in global financial markets, including expertise in emerging markets.
• Experience in identifying, originating and qualifying new business opportunities developing and executing results-driven client engagements.
• Advanced financial, credit, and risk evaluation skills, with demonstrated ability to structure and negotiate a variety of complex financial instruments (debt and equity).
• Demonstrated strong written, presentation, and communications skills in English and ability to synthesize and present information effectively and tailored to different audiences.
• Excellent business judgment and problem-solving skills to identify issues, present creative, practical solutions, make and commit to sound decisions, anticipating short and long-term implications.
• Working knowledge of French will be an added advantage.