Senior Investments Associate

About the role

AECF is seeking a Senior Investments Associate to join our growing investments and advisory services team and bring Sub-Sahara Africa investment, deal structuring, investment advisory services, and fundraising expertise to the team. The Senior Investments Associate will support the portfolio team with pre-investment analysis of potential companies – driving analysis of possible investments to assess financial and impact viability as well as the growth prospects of companies during due diligence. On post-investment, the Senior Investments Associate will work with the portfolio team to identify the needs of investees towards investment readiness and provide this support and investment facilitation services, leading investor search, deal structuring, and investor negotiations towards increasing access to commercial funding by catalyzing additional capital for portfolio companies. In addition, they will be responsible for country and sector research and analysis, assisting in developing operations for new investment products, and providing support with deal origination, due diligence, investment structuring and negotiation, portfolio management, and portfolio reporting.

The role will be based in Nairobi, with occasional travel in the region.

Key responsibilities

Financial and impact analysis

  • Analyzing company accounts, financial projections, and impact potential, position these in the investment memorandum for investment consideration.
  • Provide updates on financial markets and country and sector activities to help position potential investees’ viability and potential in local and global markets.
  • Creating financial models that enhance the return on investment of projects/businesses and financial planning.
  • Preparing financial documents for presentation to the internal investment review committee and the investment committee.

Deal structuring, negotiations, and execution

  • Sourcing and origination of investments and carrying out the initial investment appraisal of potential AECF portfolio companies towards a healthy portfolio.
  • Develop a strong pipeline of good quality investment opportunities for investment products.
  • Conduct detailed due diligence on prospective investee companies and develop the requisite investment memorandum for investment decisions.
  • Structure complex investments (comprising debt and equity) according to understanding and assessing client and country risks. Negotiate terms with clients, internal and external stakeholders, and partners. Prepare client/partner presentations and support their decision-making at key transaction stages.
  • Lead transaction team through the investment process, actively handling key work and directing and coordinating the work of other team members from across multiple departments toward closing investment deals.
  • Take full responsibility and accountability for transaction-related decisions and relationships to execute transaction documentation and disburse investment capital.
  • Manage a portfolio of companies to achieve investment objectives and play a lead role in portfolio management, monitoring, and institutional investor reporting processes.

Insights and knowledge sharing

  • Build a system/technique for deriving knowledge and understanding investors’rs’ appetites relevant to AECF’sF’s portfolio, building relationships with them, and educating them about the AECF portfolio and investment opportunities.
  • Share expertise as a subject matter expert, providing advice, peer review, and contribution to knowledge products and program design across the AECF to strengthen internal and/or external client solutions.

Required qualifications, experience, and attributes:

  • Must possess a bachelor’s degree in business or commerce. master’s degree in business or finance will be an added advantage.
  • A CFA level certification or at an advanced stage of completion.
  • At least 5-7 years of experience in financial analysis, investment analysis, management consulting, corporate finance, private equity, or venture debt with a proven track record of sourcing, structuring, and closing investments.
  • Strong analytical skills to review and analyze complex financial information. Knowledge and experience in global financial markets, including expertise in emerging markets.
  • Experience in identifying, originating, and qualifying new business opportunities, developing and executing results-driven client engagements.
  • Advanced financial, credit, and risk evaluation skills, with demonstrated ability to structure and negotiate a variety of complex financial instruments (debt and equity).
  • Demonstrated strong written, presentation, and communication skills in English and ability to synthesize and present information effectively and tailor it to different audiences.
  • Excellent business judgment and problem-solving skills to identify issues, present creative, practical solutions, make and commit to sound decisions, and anticipate short and long-term implications.
  • Working knowledge of French will be an added advantage.

How to Apply
The AECF is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will be considered based on merit without regard to race, sex, colour, national origin, religion, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

AECF does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, meeting, processing, training, or other fees).

If you believe you meet the criteria for the role, register and apply at
https://recruitment.aecfafrica.org. To be considered, your application must be received by 2 April 2025.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted

About AECF

About us

The AECF (Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund) is a development institution that finances early and growth-stage businesses to innovate, create jobs, and leverage investments and markets to create resilience and sustainable incomes in rural and marginalized communities in Africa.

Since 2008, we have invested over US$ 300 million in over 510 businesses across sub-Sahara Africa focusing on Agribusiness, Renewable Energy, and Climate-smart Technologies. We have impacted more than 33 million lives, created over 35,000 jobs, and leveraged over US$ 838 million in matching funds to our portfolio companies.

AECF is headquartered in Kenya, with offices in Côte d’Ivoire, Tanzania, Nigeria, South Sudan, Benin, and Somalia.