The Research Analyst supports the fund management business by delivering in-depth research, rigorous financial analysis, and actionable investment recommendations. The role is responsible for monitoring macroeconomic trends, market developments, and corporate performance to inform portfolio decisions and enhance client reporting. The analyst is expected to develop a strong command of valuation methodologies across asset classes and to build credible investment cases that withstand scrutiny at the Investment Committee level. A working understanding of back-office operations is also required to provide operational support when needed.

KEY PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Research & Market Intelligence

• Monitor macroeconomic trends, market developments, and corporate actions of listed and unlisted companies across the investment universe.
• Forecast short- and long-term macroeconomic indicators (GDP, inflation, interest rates, exchange rates), industry dynamics, and company-specific financial metrics with clearly articulated performance drivers.
• Gather and synthesise market intelligence from primary and secondary sources to support client fund management decisions.
• Review earnings releases, financial statements, and regulatory disclosures; attend analyst briefings and company management meetings.

Financial Modelling & Valuation

• Build, maintain, and stress-test detailed valuation models (DCF, DDM, relative valuation, credit models) for equity and fixed-income instruments.
• Assess the sensitivity of valuations to changes in key assumptions and macro drivers; communicate findings clearly to the Portfolio Manager and Investment Committee.
• Conduct credit risk assessments for fixed-income instruments, including analysis of issuer financials, covenant structures, and default risk.

Investment Recommendations & Portfolio Support

• Produce well-reasoned investment recommendations across equities, fixed income, private equity, offshore, and alternative asset classes for presentation to the Investment Committee.
• Contribute to asset allocation strategy by developing model portfolio recommendations aligned with client mandates and risk parameters.
• Monitor existing portfolio holdings and flag material developments that may necessitate position review.

Stakeholder Engagement & Reporting

• Develop and maintain professional relationships with stockbrokers, sell-side analysts, company management teams, and other market participants.
• Prepare and present research reports, investment notes, and client-facing materials to a high standard of clarity and accuracy.
• Support periodic client reporting on fund performance, attribution, and market commentary.
• Provide fund administration support on an ad-hoc basis and perform any other duties as assigned.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

• Quality, depth, and timeliness of investment research and models.
• Track record of investment recommendations presented to the Investment Committee.
• Accuracy of financial forecasts versus actual outturns.
• Contribution to portfolio performance relative to benchmark.
• Stakeholder feedback from Portfolio Manager and Investment Committee.

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, Economics, Investment Analysis, Actuarial Science, or Commerce (with a finance focus). A master’s degree (MBA or MSc Finance) will be an added advantage.

JOB SKILLS AND REQUIREMENTS

Technical Skills

• Advanced proficiency in financial modelling and valuation (DCF, comparables, fixed-income analytics).
• Strong command of Excel; experience with Bloomberg, Reuters, or similar financial data platforms is advantageous.
• Familiarity with portfolio management and performance attribution systems.
• Sound knowledge of East African and broader African capital markets, regulatory environment, and macroeconomic dynamics.

Behavioural Competencies

• Analytical rigour: ability to process complex, multi-source information and distil it into clear, evidence-based conclusions.
• Communication: strong written and verbal skills; able to present investment ideas persuasively to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Intellectual curiosity: proactive in keeping abreast of market developments, emerging industries, and new analytical techniques.
• Integrity and ethics: high personal standards and strict adherence to regulatory requirements and company policies.
• Collaboration: team-oriented, yet capable of working independently and managing multiple priorities under time pressure.
• Attention to detail: meticulous in model-building, report preparation, and data validation.

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Progress toward or completion of the CFA designation is strongly preferred.
• CISI, ACI, or other relevant capital markets certifications are an added advantage.

EXPERIENCE

• Minimum 2 years; relevant experience in investment research, buy-side or sell-side analysis, portfolio management support, or a closely related financial services role.
• Demonstrated experience building financial models and producing written investment research.
• Exposure to East African capital markets will be a significant advantage.