Investment Associate - Africa, Soros Economic Development Fund (SEDF) at Open Society Initiative for Eastern Africa

What We Are Looking For

• Work on assigned transactions across all stages of the investment process, from concept note through to final investment, asset management and exit.
• Prepare detailed financial analysis and modeling.
• Perform due diligence on potential investees, preparing investment reports, proposals and presenting to relevant stakeholders.
• Work with our legal team on transaction closing.
• Assist with financial, impact and ESG monitoring of the investment assets.Track financial ratios and compliance with covenants.
• Oversee and steer relationships and coordinate with the management teams of the portfolio investees on performance against targets.
• Collaborate with partners internal and external to OSF.
• Research special projects, keep up-to-date on trends, debates, and innovations in fields relevant to SEDF’s investment strategy, and develop emerging areas of expertise.
• Associates should have a naturally collaborative approach; all of SEDF’s work takes place in partnership with our programmatic colleagues. Candidates should have demonstrated diplomatic skills as well as experience collaborating in complex and uncertain partnership environments.
• SEDF is entirely impact driven therefore the candidate must possess an understanding of, and interest in, socio-economic reform. The successful candidate will be an excellent writer and communicator in English. Proficiency in French is an advantage. Other languages spoken in Africa are desirable as well.
• The ideal candidate will come from an investing, finance or economics background. Interest and intellectual engagement at the nexus of investing and economic development, as well as in the other themes prominent in the mission and work of the Open Society Foundations, will be highly valued. They will be self-motivated, comfortable with ambiguity and able to set direction, maintain progress and adapt in this context.

Successful candidate must demonstrate the following critical competencies

• At least 3 years’ experience in financial modeling and analysis, investment management, commercial or investment banking, project and deal-oriented financial analysis.
• Financial modeling: strong competency with evaluation, modeling for various investment instruments including (but not limited to), debt, equity, and indirect fund investments.
• Experience with investment work in Sub-Saharan Africa / developing markets.
• Solid deal closing and deal management experience is a significant advantage.
• Understanding of and passion for economic development.. Interest and intellectual engagement at the intersection of investing and economic development. Knowledge of ESG, Monitoring and Evaluation, and Theory of Change frameworks and methodologies are an advantage.
• Strong diplomatic and relationship management skills.
• Natural collaborator across cultures and backgrounds.
• High motivation and attention to detail.
• Investment background and experience of working in complex and uncertain environments.
• Excellent written and spoken English, additional languages preferred (French is an advantage).
• Results-/Impact-orientation: candidates must demonstrate ability to maintain focus on achieving meaningful and measurable impact and results and be able to prioritize effectively towards desired outcomes in highly complex and uncertain environments.
• The candidate should expect to be traveling frequently throughout the world and will be expected to execute duties across substantial distances and collaborate internationally.

What We Offer

• Ample opportunities to learn and grow, from annual professional development allowances to onsite trainings and learning conversations with visiting experts.
• Top-notch benefits and perks designed for your well-being and a healthy work-life balance. With some variability according to location, this includes generous time off, flexible work arrangements, employer-paid health insurance, generous retirement savings plan, progressive paid parental leave, reproductive and family planning support, sabbatical opportunities, and much more.
• A commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace that enables everyone to bring their full self to work and make a positive impact on the world.