East Africa Portfolio Associate at Acumen

Job description

Acumen seeks a Portfolio Associate to help build and manage our world-class investment portfolio of game-changing enterprises that impact the poor across East Africa.

Responsibilities

As an East Africa Portfolio Associate, you will play a key role in the success, development and impact of Acumen’s portfolio in East Africa. As part of your core function, you will grow our portfolio by identifying and developing a strong pipeline of investment opportunities; and provide management support to existing portfolio companies by building relationships, identifying key challenges and mobilizing resources. The East Africa Portfolio Associate reports to the Manager/Senior Portfolio Associate.

More Specifically, You Will

• Identify, cultivate and execute a pipeline of fresh investment opportunities providing critical services to the poor
• Build an exhaustive network of relationships (including corporate, entrepreneur, NGO, academic, investor, advisory) to identify new pipeline opportunities for Acumen
• Develop attractive opportunities by building relationships with promoters; conducting evaluations and analyses; thorough due diligence; and structure and execute investments
• Prepare, present, and maintain detailed and compelling investment documentation for Acumen’s Investment Committee, and Board of Directors
• Develop and implement a post-investment management strategy to add significant value to investee companies
• Support the East Africa portfolio team in implementing post-investment management activities
• Design and evaluate key metrics to measure the social and financial returns on investments.
• Develop long-term relationships with external stakeholders including funders, advisors, thought leaders, sector and functional experts to provide business development and strategic post-investment management across the Latin America Portfolio

Qualifications & Characteristics

• Bachelor's degree; finance, business or related field preferred
• Must have authorization to work in Kenya on a permanent basis
• 2-4 years of principal investing experience, including financial and operational due diligence of private companies. Understanding of early stage businesses and entrepreneurs is a plus. OR
• 2-4 years of management consulting or operational experience with a proven track record of delivering operational and management support to companies or internal units 
• Strong financial, modeling, and business analysis skills as demonstrated by prior experience is required
• Solid operational skills including problem solving and project management skills, including ability to work and deliver projects independently, proactively and under pressure
• Strong communication skills and ability to be a "storyteller" of our work
• Ideally be familiar with the social enterprise sector and leadership development programs
• Significant commitment or experience serving the poor

Additional characteristics we’re looking for in all roles at Acumen:

• Commitment to, and enthusiasm for, the organization’s mission and business model, and respect for our core values: generosity, accountability, humility, audacity, listening, leadership, integrity, respect
• Moral Imagination: The humility to see the world as it is, and the audacity to imagine the world as it could be. It also includes but is not limited to the following:
• Displaying high level of empathy in all relationships and encounters
• Possessing deep self-awareness and ability to identify own strengths and weaknesses
• Actively listening and focusing on hearing what others are saying
• Good understanding of financial concepts and our investing model
• Solid operational skills including problem solving and project management skills, including ability to work and deliver projects independently, proactively and under pressure
• Effectively collaborates with and across teams, seeks and provides constructive feedback
• Exceptional relationship and interpersonal skills: courtesy, tact, patience and strong team orientation
• Strong communication skills and ability to be a “storyteller” of our work
• Ability to thrive when there is ambiguity, remain cool-headed when there are curve balls, and withstand the tests of a rapidly changing environment with resilience and resolve
• Curious – always questioning, always probing, and never blindly accepting
• A sense of humor (really)

Compensation

Acumen offers a competitive compensation package commensurate with experience, including full benefits.

Application Requirements

Please submit a resume and responses to the following questions:

• Why are you on fire to work for Acumen? Be specific. (MAX: 200 words)
• What are your top 2 skills relevant to this position, and how have they made you successful in the past? (MAX: 150 words)

Deadline

The deadline for applications is 30th September 2018.

Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible as applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.