Associate (Contractor) – Refugee Investment Network at Global Development Incubator (GDI)

Job Description

• The Associate will be instrumental in expanding the field of Refugee Lens Investments (RLI) in East Africa and contributing to the broader objectives across the continent. This position will encompass a wide range of responsibilities, from strategic project management and stakeholder engagement to in-depth research, analysis, and business development. This is a dynamic and impactful role within RIN. The Associate will be at the forefront of efforts to create sustainable investment opportunities that benefit refugee and host communities across East Africa, contributing significantly to the population’s and region’s economic development and social cohesion.

Responsibilities

Project Management and Execution

• Contribute to the planning and execution of investment ecosystem-building projects, ensuring deliverables are met within tight deadlines and competing priorities.
• Manage day-to-day operations, including oversight of work plans, budgets, and coordination with consultants, researchers, and partners across priority countries.

Research and Analysis

• Conduct detailed research on refugee-related investment opportunities, impact investment strategies, and policy trends within Africa.
• Analyze data to identify potential RLI opportunities and craft comprehensive reports, whitepapers, and presentations that effectively communicate findings to both internal and external stakeholders.

Stakeholder Engagement and Partnership Building

• Actively engage with a diverse range of stakeholders, including investors, incubators, entrepreneurs, government officials, and others to build support for the project’s goals.
• Foster new and maintain existing partnerships, representing RIN at networking events, conferences, and industry gatherings to explore collaboration opportunities.
• Work in close collaboration with the Africa Director and RIN senior management to pursue new opportunities for promoting RLI across the continent.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting

• Contribute to RIN’s monitoring and evaluation strategy to assess the impact and outcomes of the project.
• Ensure regular communication and reporting to senior management, donors, and external partners regarding project progress and achievements.
• Other Duties as Assigned

Qualifications

RIN is looking for candidates with a demonstrated interest, understanding and passion for its mission, and the following qualifications and qualities:

• 2+ years of related work experience;
• Strong project management experience with an ability to supervise and direct teams working in multiple countries simultaneously, including working collaboratively with consultants, researchers, and the private sector in emerging markets;
• Excellent communications skills, including the ability to understand and translate between government, private sector and humanitarian paradigms;
• Strong analytical, writing and editorial skills;
• Demonstrated capacity to communicate, coordinate and deliver in an East African context;
• Experience in Impact Investing, Innovative Finance, or Business Development Services in emerging markets is a plus;
• Lived experience as a refugee or internally displaced person would be a valuable asset for this role; persons who have experienced forced displacement are highly encouraged to apply. RIN also has a strong preference for citizens or residents of one of the project’s three refugee hosting countries: Kenya, Uganda, and Ethiopia.