Jobs at Acumen

The Legal Counsel will provide support to Amplify’s investment team, ranging from investment transactions, legal due diligence, contract review and negotiation, and post investment support during portfolio phase. 

A successful candidate will be expected to provide timely and relevant legal advice, collaborate with the team to effect their transactions efficiently while managing overall risk to Amplify, coordinate with outside counsel as applicable, and liaise and maintain cohesion within the Global Legal Team.

Principal areas of accountability: 

• Deal Documentation & Coordination: The Legal Counsel will work closely with the Amplify investment team to drive Amplify’s debt investments. The role will assist the teams from end-to-end of an investment lifecycle: from structuring deal instruments, developing term sheets, conducting due diligence, negotiating and finalizing investment documentation, managing outside counsel, to coordinating stakeholders to closing.
• The role will also provide legal advice to the teams as needed during the pre- and post-investment stages and provide learning sessions to the team from time to time. 
• Contract Review and Management: The role will involve grant and commercial contract drafting and review for Amplify team. The scope may range across finance, banking and commercial issues, including general contract, intellectual property, data privacy, employment, governance and formation matters.
• Responsibilities may include providing learning sessions to the relevant teams from time to time.
• Project Management: The role requires coordination, and oversight of local and international external counsel across multiple jurisdictions. This includes defining and scoping legal workstreams, ensuring consistency of legal positions and documentation across countries, managing legal budgets, challenging unnecessary legal scope or costs, and ensuring timely, pragmatic, and commercially-focused advice aligned with Amplify’s risk appetite.
• As well as developing and implementing various projects on behalf of the Amplify team, including working with colleagues across functions, self-discipline and problem solving to progress in the face of uncertainty, and creating milestones toward timely execution. An example may include developing templates and resources as needed in collaboration with the team.  Lead the
• Compliance: The Legal Counsel, in collaboration with Acumen’s Risk and Compliance Manager, will ensure that Amplify’s activities are in compliance with local laws and best practices. Other responsibilities may include: navigating relevant local laws across multiple jurisdictions, keeping abreast of regulatory developments, liaising with outside counsel and memorializing guidance, rolling out compliance recommendations and advising programmatic teams accordingly, and providing learning sessions to the Amplify team from time to time on regulatory and compliance matters.
• Global Legal Operational Support: The role will involve managing operational initiatives relating to legal matters, cross-functionally and cross-regionally throughout Acumen. Support may range from developing and communicating internal legal guidance, updating processes to reflect best practices under applicable laws, supporting teams with proper recordkeeping, and collaborating with the Director of Legal to create efficiency and scale within the Global Legal Team. 

Qualifications and skills

• Minimum of 8 years+ experience practicing transactional law, in particular: (1) strong banking/finance law and/or commercial/corporate law background with experience in transaction advisory work covering debt financing structures and (2) experience working directly with lenders, borrowers or investors.
• Familiarity with investment funds, banks or credit funds is a plus, as is experience in Africa or with the solar off-grid sector.
• Familiarity with lending-related regulatory considerations, including financial services licensing and regulatory perimeter issues, cross-border lending restrictions, FX and currency convertibility risks, security enforceability, and interfaces with KYC/AML and sanctions frameworks ).
• Experience with downside credit scenarios, including loan amendments, waivers, covenant breaches, standstills, restructurings, or enforcement processes (including security over receivables, pledges or guarantees), is highly desirable
• Ability to navigate ambiguity, distill complicated ideas in a clear and straightforward way, think strategically, and develop innovative solutions.
• Ability to work proactively and under pressure, as well as deliver projects independently with minimal oversight required.
• Ability to stay organized and keep stakeholders in the loop. Good project management and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong organizational and diplomacy skills, including excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Commitment to accuracy, attention to detail and follow-through.
• Amenable to working with different time zones in an efficient manner.
• Commitment to, and enthusiasm for, the organization’s mission and business model.
• Self reflective and aligned with Acumen values.
• Permanently authorized to work in Kenya, with a license to practice law in a major jurisdiction (UK, US or France). Alternatively, we will also consider those that have done part or all of their studies and/or work placements in a major jurisdiction (UK, US or France). Admission in Kenya is an advantage but not required.

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The Investment Senior Associate will play a crucial role in supporting the investment team with deal sourcing, due diligence, financial modelling, and portfolio management, focusing on investments in off-grid solar energy solutions. The ideal candidate will have a passion for impact investing, particularly in renewable energy, and a deep understanding of the financial and technical aspects of solar projects in the Hardest-to-Reach countries. This role will report to the Investment Lead of the Hardest-to-Reach Impact Debt Fund.

The role is expected to foster strong collaborative working relationships with key stakeholders, including sponsors, and lenders, as well as to raise significant brand awareness for H2R.

Role Accountabilities

Market Research & Deal Sourcing 

• Conduct detailed market analysis to identify investment opportunities in the off-grid solar sector across emerging markets.
• Track industry trends, regulatory changes, and technology advancements in renewable energy, specifically off-grid solar solutions.
• Develop and maintain relationships with developers, entrepreneurs, and industry stakeholders.

Due Diligence

• Take the lead in undertaking, coordinating, and driving due diligence tasks, working alongside junior deal team members with oversight from senior team members. This also includes appointing and liaising with independent advisors. Serve as due diligence point of contact with clients, etc.
• Evaluate business models, market strategies, and the scalability of solar companies focused on off-grid solutions.
• Assess the investment opportunities' potential social and environmental impact in collaboration with the impact team.
• Take the lead in the preparation of final credit proposals to the Investment Committee

Financial Modelling & Analysis

• Build and maintain detailed financial models to evaluate the feasibility and profitability of off-grid solar projects.
• Conduct sensitivity analyses and stress testing to account for economic, political, and operational risks.
• Present investment cases focusing on both financial returns and impact metrics (e.g., reduction in carbon emissions, increase in energy access).

Portfolio Management

• Monitor the performance of portfolio companies, tracking key financial and impact metrics.
• Support the preparation of quarterly and annual reports on fund performance, portfolio risk, and the social/environmental impact.
• Collaborate with portfolio companies to provide guidance on improving financial sustainability and impact performance.

Qualification and Skills Required

• Bachelor's degree in finance, economics, business, engineering, or a related field. A master’s degree or CFA/CPA qualification would be advantageous
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in investment banking, private equity, venture capital, or impact investing, preferably with exposure to the renewable energy sector
• Experience in emerging markets and/or off-grid solar is highly desirable.
• Strong proficiency in financial modelling, analysis, and valuation techniques.
• Understanding of the renewable energy market, particularly off-grid solar solutions, and the challenges and opportunities in frontier markets.
• Demonstrated interest in impact investing, sustainable development, and/or climate finance, with a track record of working on socially and environmentally focused projects.
• Proficiency in Excel and financial modelling
• Experience in conducting commercial and operational due diligence.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.
• A commitment to serving people living in poverty.
• A willingness to roll up your sleeves with your team and get to work. Some people need clean energy, after all.
• Self reflective and aligned with Acumen values. 
• Permanently authorized to work in Kenya. Available to work in Nairobi.