Senior Investment Officer at Accion

Position Summary:

Senior Investment Officer for the ADTx investment team bring deep expertise in private equity investing in emerging market, particularly in regulated financial inclusion institutions that are developing innovative digital financial services. This position should also bring operational knowledge of how financial service providers can leverage technology to scale. We expect ADTx investments in Africa will represent roughly 25-35% of total geographic allocation of the fund. The Senior Investment Officer will have influence on the ADTx strategy and portfolio allocation in the region. The candidate will collaborate with ADTx’s Operating Partner along with Accion’s Global Advisory Solutions (GLAS) team and other advisory groups to help develop digitization strategies for companies and will liaise with company boards and management teams to ensure alignment. The candidate may manage an Investment Analyst as appropriate for the size of the fund and opportunities in the region.

Position Responsibilities:

•  Lead the investment process along with the Managing Partners for transactions in Africa as well as support the team globally as needed; the investment process includes identifying equity investment targets consistent with the fund’s impact mission and digitization theme, leading deal execution, presenting deal analysis and investment recommendations to the Investment Committee, negotiating deals (including legal documentation), ensuring compliance with ESG policies, helping develop a digitization strategy, managing the equity investment portfolio, and developing exit alternatives;
•  Prepare, and oversee the preparation of detailed financial models, projections, and valuations to analyze equity investment and divestment opportunities and report to LPs;
•  Provide strategic support for portfolio companies, such as developing suitable alliances, raising new debt and equity, and providing input on strategic decisions, especially ESG and digitization initiatives;
•  Represent ADTx on portfolio company boards as appropriate;
•  Build co-investment consortia and develop strong relationships with co-investors;
•  Develop and execute along with the Managing Partners responsible commercial exit strategies for portfolio companies;
•  Provide ongoing support to the Operations and Finance team on portfolio company valuation and reporting;
•  Work closely with Managing Partners to build a strong brand and culture, while assuring that Accion Impact Management adheres to industry best practices;
•  Represent Accion Impact Management locally in the Africa market and globally, participating in professional development and knowledge sharing activities externally and within Accion as appropriate.

Qualifications and requirements:

•  10+ years of work experience of private equity focused on financial institutions, identifying investments, negotiating transactions and managing investments with deep ties and experience in Africa;
•  Masters level degree in business or finance;
•  Strong oral and written communication skills in English is required, French is a plus;
•  Experience implementing value creation strategies and digitally-enabled strategies with financial institutions , especially in Africa, or entrepreneurial experience a plus;
•  Experience in influencing board and management strategies;
•  Due diligence and analytical experience to identify commercially sustainable investments;
•  Ability to create a strong network of relationships among peers, internal partners, external constituencies and decision makers to deliver end-products;
•  Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, cultural sensitivity, willingness and ability to work across all levels of organization and colleagues from diverse backgrounds. Proven experience in developing senior executive presentations and communications;
•  Ability to work independently while working with a global team;
•  Willingness to embody our values of excellence, respect and passion for social change.
  •  Excellence: Accion staff should always put forth their best effort in all activities, strive for high quality of collective and individual performance; and demonstrate honesty and integrity at all times while in the workplace and while working on behalf of the organization.
  •  Respect: Accion staff should value one another’s roles and responsibilities as much as their own, be encouraging, and value the diverse and unique perspectives of colleagues. They should honor obligations and commitments to each other and to external partners.
  •  Passion for Social Change: Accion staff should be committed to making a difference in the lives of those less fortunate, value the greater good of the organization over personal gain, and promote a productive workplace by acknowledging the accomplishments of others.