Associate – Natural Capital - Nairobi at CrossBoundary

As an Associate, you will identify and evaluate investment opportunities, conduct macroeconomic market assessments, and provide transaction support to both investors and capital seekers. You will also support business development, new strategic partnerships and thought leadership.
Who You Are

• Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s degree preferred (or another relevant advanced degree/professional qualification)
• 3-5 years of relevant experience in investment banking, management consulting, private equity, or similar
• Experience living and/or working in underserved markets required, experience in East, Central, and Southern Africa region highly preferred
• High tolerance for ambiguity; able to operate effectively in a changing context
• Strong quantitative skills and analytical abilities: can think clearly, structure problems logically, and then design and implement solutions that focus on the core issues
• Great at building and maintaining relationships under stress with colleagues and clients in the sector and/or region
• Willing to take on new types of work, even without prior experience or direct supervision
• Experience in project management/leadership roles preferred
• Excellent presentation skills: ability to communicate clearly and effectively with diverse audiences
• Self-starter who is humble and passionate about creating lasting change in underserved markets
• Enthusiastic about working, traveling, and living in sometimes challenging environments
• Fluency in English is required
• Experience in natural capital, conservation, forestry, agriculture, or similar sector (in emerging markets) is highly valued
• Knowledge of carbon markets, with experience developing or financing carbon projects preferred

What you'll do

• Drive day-to-day execution on workstreams including:
• Identifying and evaluating investment opportunities
• Conducting sector or geographic landscape assessments
• Identifying and engaging with qualified regional and international investors
• Support on transaction advisory engagements by:
• Supporting commercial due diligence assignments
• Performing market research and developing client-facing recommendations
• Advising on the structuring and deploying of blended finance vehicles
• Advice on carbon project development and deal structuring
• Cultivate and manage relationships with existing and potential investors, clients, companies, and other stakeholders
• Supporting business development through proactive opportunity sourcing and relationship building, as well as responding to donor-funded procurements (EOIs and RFPs), including executing technical and financial proposals