Investment Associate at Kua Ventures

ROLE DESCRIPTION

• The Investment Associate will be based in Kenya, working from Kua Ventures office at ABC Place.
• This person will report directly to the Operations Director. This person will be responsible for identifying high-potential and high-impact SGBs to be considered for investment, overseeing the application process and preparing relevant documentation to be presented to the Investment Committee, as well as post-investment support.

We expect:

• MBA or equivalent Post Graduate degree in accounting, finance, business, economics or related studies (preferred);
• Solid and relevant experience of at least 4-6 years gained in impact investing, venture capital, private equity funds, banking, or equivalent;
• Ability to think strategically and drive Kua Ventures impact in the growth and flourishing of SGBs in Kenya.
• Ability to mix strategic, high-level thinking with practical detail-oriented hands-on tasks.
• Ability to think critically to solve problems, take initiative and effectively manage competing priorities and deadlines.
• Ability to work collaboratively with an Investment Analyst, the team at large, as well as third-parties to drive Kua Ventures mission;
• Ability to assess businesses for investment, recognizing potential risks, assessing growth potential, structuring equity and debt transactions in emerging markets;
• Fluency with financial instruments, financial analysis, investments, and financial modelling (Excel - essential, other financial planning softwares -preferred);
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing, internally and externally with key stakeholders and in representation of Kua Ventures;
• Sound judgement, particularly in valuation matters, with strong analytic skills;
• Strong cloud-based organisational and comfortable user of new technologies e.g. project management tools, Google Drive and other apps from G Suite package, etc.
• Ability to commit full-time to Kua Ventures (40 hours/week), from its office at ABC Place;
• Applicants must have all necessary permissions to work in Kenya.

Your key responsibilities:

• Responsible for the origination, due diligence, execution and monitoring of investments in line with Kua Ventures investment strategy and investment thesis;
• Execute a rigorous screening & due diligence process to ensure high-quality and highimpact businesses are selected for investment;
• Perform desktop analysis, do due diligence visits and in-person meetings with potential investment opportunities;
• Preparation of Screening and Investment Memos to be presented to the Investment Committee for investment consideration;
• Analysis of investment opportunities including financial modelling, valuation and return analysis;
• Engage companies post-investment to identify areas of support needed and mobilise adequate resources;
• Build relationships with management of portfolio companies;
• Proactively build and strengthen relationship with key stakeholders to enhance Kua Ventures brand in the market;
• Understand market trends and analyse businesses growth potential;
• To develop a deep understanding of Kua Ventures long-term investment strategy and be able to articulate that knowledge internally and externally;
• Lead the evaluation of potential exit and manage the exit process effectively.
• Perform other duties as determined by the Operations Director.

We value:

• A passion for entrepreneurship and local businesses as job creators and drivers of social impact;
• Values aligned with Kua Ventures in supporting faith-driven entrepreneurs in reflecting Christ in their enterprises;
• Highly motivated, action oriented, and results driven with a positive ‘can do’ attitude;
• Strong work ethics to manage own time and work deliverables, with minimal supervision;
• Experience working with founders (have been one before or worked with them);
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate with candidate and portfolio companies, as well as collaborate with team members;
• Knowledge of Kenyan and East African markets;
• Interest in growing in the role as Kua Ventures expands.