Investment Associate at Entrust Advisory Limited

Reports to: Chief Investment Officer
Experience level: At least 3 years in investment banking, corporate finance, fund management or transaction advisory

About Entrust Advisory

• Entrust Advisory Limited is a fund manager licensed by the Capital Markets Authority, based in Nairobi. The firm manages investment funds for its investors and advises companies on corporate finance, debt and equity capital markets, structured finance and blended finance.

Purpose of the role

• The Investment Associate supports both sides of Entrust's business: fund management and transaction advisory. On the fund side, the role produces the market and industry research that informs investment decisions and the reports Entrust shares with clients and prospects. On the advisory side, the role analyses transactions, builds financial models, prepares transaction documents and supports execution through to close.
• The Associate also contributes to business development by supporting pitches, building the pipeline and maintaining client relationships.

Key responsibilities
Research and market analysis

• Carry out macroeconomic, market and sector research on Kenya, African region and global markets to support the fund management business, including how global economic, interest rate and commodity trends affect local markets.
• Monitor capital markets, interest rates, fixed income, money markets and regulatory changes, including CMA, CBK and NSE developments.
• Analyse industries and companies to identify investment opportunities and assess risks.
• Write research notes, market updates, sector reports and periodic investor reports for clients and prospective clients.
• Build and maintain market data, sector databases and research tools.

Transaction analysis and financial modelling

• Analyse the financial statements, business models and funding needs of advisory clients and target companies.
• Build and maintain financial models, including projections, valuations, debt capacity and cash flow analysis, and structured finance models.
• Run sensitivity and scenario analysis and present findings to the deal team.
• Support credit assessments and due diligence on clients, investees and counterparties.

Transaction documentation and execution

• Prepare pitch books, information memoranda, teasers, financial models and investor presentations.
• Draft and review term sheets, transaction memos, offering documents, and regulatory submissions to the CMA and NSE.
• Coordinate due diligence, data rooms and work by legal, tax and other advisers.
• Track transaction timelines, workstreams and deliverables, and keep the deal team and clients updated.
• Support engagement with lenders, investors, development finance institutions and regulators through to financial close.

Business development

• Research and identify prospective clients, investors and transaction opportunities.
• Prepare pitch materials, proposals and engagement letters.
• Maintain the pipeline and client relationship records.
• Represent Entrust at industry events and build networks with banks, investors and advisers.

Fund management support

• Support portfolio monitoring, investment committee papers and fund performance reporting.
• Help prepare fund documentation, marketing materials and investor updates.
• Support compliance with CMA requirements for collective investment schemes.

Qualifications and experience
A bachelor's degree in finance, economics, accounting, actuarial science, business or a related field. 

• ICIFA or CISI Kenya certification 
• Progress towards the CFA qualification is an advantage; CPA(K) or ACCA is also relevant.
• At least 3 years of experience in investment banking, corporate finance, transaction advisory, corporate banking, private equity, or fund management.
• A proven track record of building financial models and working on capital raises, debt transactions or M&A from origination to close.
• Experience writing research or investment reports for external audiences.
• Familiarity with Kenya's capital markets and regulation, including CMA rules on collective investment schemes.Experience with development finance institutions, blended finance or impact investing is an advantage.

Skills and competencies

• Financial modelling and valuation: advanced Excel, building models from scratch, and DCF, comparables and credit analysis.
• Research and analysis: turning data into clear investment insights and recommendations.
• Writing: clear, concise reports, information memoranda and transaction documents for clients, investors and regulators.
• Presentation: strong PowerPoint skills and confidence presenting to clients and investment committees.
• Execution: managing several workstreams and deadlines with close attention to detail.
• Commercial awareness: spotting opportunities and contributing to business development.
• Relationship management: working well with clients, co-advisers, lenders and investors.
• Integrity and discretion: handling confidential and market-sensitive information appropriately.
• Independence: working in a small team with little supervision and taking ownership of the work.