Senior Specialist, Catalytic Transactions at FSD Africa

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ROLE REQUIREMENTS

Thought Leadership & Strategy Development

Act as a thought leader on how catalytic finance and transaction structuring can result in measurable benefits for African people, economies, and the environment, developing a profound understanding of the blended finance ecosystem and potential change levers:

• Contribute to the development of the Catalytic Transactions pillar strategy, collaborating with the Director and Senior Specialists to shape strategic direction and investment priorities.
• Lead the development and delivery of a portfolio of catalytic finance interventions, applying structured and blended finance expertise to achieve FSD Africa’s objectives.
• Monitor market dynamics, product innovation, and systemic barriers in the blended finance landscape, generating insights to inform programme and transaction design.
• Build and apply financial and business models to assess transaction structures and investment targets, working closely with the Development Impact team on forecasting and learning.
• Provide technical guidance to staff and stakeholder in support of high-impact transaction design, execution, and delivery.

Project Origination & Planning

Develop a portfolio of Implementing Partners and Projects to drive impact and systemic change in catalytic finance:

• Work with the Director to define the Pillar Strategy and Theory of Change, ensuring the strategic selection of implementing partners and alignment with FSD Africa’s five-year strategy.
• Identify and curate a transformative portfolio of catalytic transactions and projects that mobilise private capital, address market barriers, and deliver measurable development outcomes.
• Lead the design and structuring of catalytic transactions, including thematic bonds, blended finance vehicles, and aggregation instruments, ensuring strategic fit and feasibility.
• Develop high-quality proposals for Investment Committee approval, embedding appropriate risk mitigation and aligning with FSD Africa’s catalytic finance principles.
• Support early-stage engagement with donors and investors to co-develop projects, shape financial instruments, and ensure delivery capacity and resource availability.

Team Leadership

Lead project teams composed of FSD Africa staff and consultants in a manner that empowers them to add value and deliver high standards of performance:

• Provide clear guidance, accountability structures, and performance expectations for the Associate and any consultants supporting portfolio delivery.
• Ensure the portfolio is resourced with the appropriate technical expertise, working closely with Procurement to identify and engage high-quality external support.
• Foster a high-performance working dynamic through coaching, mentorship, and collaborative problem-solving.
• Review team and consultant performance regularly, offering developmental feedback and ensuring alignment with FSD Africa’s values.
• Coordinate effectively with implementing partners and co-investors, ensuring shared objectives, smooth delivery, and strong working relationships.

Qualifications and Education

• Masters degree and 11 years of experience or Bachelors Degree and 12 years of relevant experience.
• Exceptional skills in written and spoken English.