ABOUT THE COMPANY

The Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund (AECF) is a US $304 million private sector fund that provides catalytic funding to enterprises in 24 countries across sub-Saharan Africa. The Fund supports innovative commercial businesses in the agribusiness, renewable energy and adaptation to climate change technology sectors with the aim of reducing rural poverty, promoting resilient rural communities and creating jobs through private sector development. The AECF invests in businesses that are seen as “risky” and that struggle to meet traditional risk-return standards for commercial investors and which offer significant impact on poverty alleviation by creating jobs and sustainable incomes.

Since 2008, the AECF has been supported by donor governments namely Australia, Canada, Denmark, Netherlands, Sweden, United Kingdom, and international finance institutions such as the Consultative Group to Assist the Poor and IFAD.

In 2017, the AECF entered a new phase as a standalone institution within the AGRA family with the objective of expanding its geographical reach, double its funding base and increase its transformative impact on inclusive growth. To achieve this the Fund will deepen its focus on gender issues, youth and employment. The new strategy will build on the Fund’s track record of creating sustainable rural livelihoods through private sector-led initiatives that change the way markets work for the poor.

JOB SUMMARY

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 communication skills in English and the ability to synthesize and present information effectively, 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.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Financial and impact analysis

• Analyzing company accounts, financial projections, and impact potential, and positioning 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

• Analyzing company accounts, financial projections, and impact potential, and positioning 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
• 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
• 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

• Due diligence
• Investment advise
• Investment banking
• Corporate finance
• Compliance

• 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 communication skills in English and the ability to synthesize and present information effectively, 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.