Job Summary
The Associate, Catalytic Transactions plays a key role in structuring, analysing, and executing innovative financing solutions designed to unlock impact, mobilise capital, and enable high-potential projects to reach bankability. The role supports transactions that blend public, private, and philanthropic capital, helping to de-risk early-stage opportunities and accelerate social, economic, or climate outcomes. This position is suited for candidates with strong analytical and financial skills, as well as a commitment to market-based solutions and collaborative, systems-oriented work.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ROLE REQUIREMENTS
Thought Leadership, Knowledge Management and Strategy Development
Contribute towards the Catalytic Transactions pillar strategy by undertaking research, knowledge management and related initiatives aimed at shaping strategic direction and investment priorities.
- Support the Senior Specialist in the development and delivery of a portfolio of catalytic finance interventions, applying structured and blended finance expertise to achieve FSD Africa’s objectives
- Conduct research on target sectors, markets, and financial instruments to identify new opportunities for catalytic interventions.
- Support the evaluation of barriers preventing private-sector capital mobilisation and propose structuring solutions.
- Track emerging trends in climate finance, development finance, impact investing, and blended capital structures.
- Contribute to thought leadership on catalytic finance mechanisms
Transaction Support and Execution
In collaboration with leadership, implement innovative transaction structuring strategies, completing the necessary tasks in a timely and resourceful manner:
- Support the sourcing, assessment, and structuring of catalytic capital transactions (e.g., thematic instruments, blended finance, concessional capital, guarantees, first-loss facilities, recoverable grants).
- Build and refine financial models, scenario analysis, and sensitivity testing to evaluate project feasibility and risk.
- Assist in preparing and managing due diligence processes, coordinating inputs from technical, legal, financial, risk and impact teams.
- Contribute to the drafting of investment memos, approvals, and transaction documents.
- Support inter-pillar coordination on transactions to leverage expertise and maximise inter-pillar collaboration and complementarity, and ensure successful transaction execution.
Financial Management, Risk & Resources
Support the Catalytic Transactions pillar in optimising financial management to maximise impact while ensuring compliance with FSD Africa and donor policies:
- Support potential donors and co-investors’ engagements and ensure that programme designs align with partner requirements.
- Develop and monitor financial models for transactions and project budgets, ensuring accurate valuations, leverage projections, and financial accountability across the portfolio.
- Work with FSD Africa’s support functions to ensure compliance with financial controls, procurement processes, and contract management standards.
- Analyse, monitor and track financial and operational risks within the assigned portfolio, embedding appropriate risk mitigation tools and monitoring frameworks during design and implementation.
- Contribute to fundraising proposals development and related fundraising efforts
Results Measurement and Tracking
Ensure monitoring and evaluation of projects and initiatives is robust and relevant e.g., through timely data collection and active maintenance of a results tracker.
- Support post-investment monitoring, reporting on portfolio performance, impact delivery, risk indicators, and milestone achievement.
- Maintain accurate transaction records, data rooms, trackers, and CRM systems.
- Assist in preparing internal and external reporting (impact reports, donor reports, investment committee updates)
Communicating for impact
Drive catalytic finance ecosystem transformation through effective influencing, advocacy, and communication strategies:
- Develop effective relationships with peers and relevant stakeholders to enhance inter–pillar communication and knowledge sharing to facilitate the leveraging of networks, contacts, or joint working opportunities in the implementation of projects.
- Coordinate with project developers, investors, donors, government agencies, and financial institutions to gather data, validate assumptions, and build consensus on transaction design.
- Contribute to presentations, pitch materials, and stakeholder communication.
- Assist with partnership development efforts that expand the pillar’s catalytic financing pipeline.
- Document insights and lessons learned from transactions to improve internal processes.
- Support the development of knowledge products (case studies, briefing notes, toolkits) and technical content that promote adoption and replication.
Qualifications and Education
- Masters Degree with 3 years or Bachelors Degree and 4 year of experience in the area of technical specialism, in a financial markets environment
- Excellent skills in written and spoken English
Essential Experience, Knowledge, and Skills
- Experience in investment analysis, project finance, financial modelling, consulting, development finance, venture building or impact investment
- Strong financial modelling and quantitative analysis skills
- Excellent research, writing and communication abilities
- Successful track record of conducting and analysing research
Desirable
- Transaction structuring, financial advisory and/or investment banking experience
- Experience working with catalytic finance: concessional capital, blended finance vehicles, development guarantees, challenge funds, or impact-linked financing.
- Experience working with DFIs, impact investors, development agencies or philanthropic funders.
- Understanding of impact measurement frameworks and ESG standards
- Experience of working in a multi-cultural environment
- Familiarity with financial, legal, and operational aspects of early-stage project development
- Languages: French, local African languages