THE OPPORTUNITY
Investment Officers play a pivotal role in the execution of ACIF’s investment strategy. The position offers the opportunity make, manage and eventually exit direct investments in African champions. Investment Officers will also have the opportunity to work on intermediated investments, including fund commitments and co-investments. Specific responsibilities include:
Investment management – direct investments
Evaluating and executing direct investments in African firms positioned to deliver on ACIF and the Foundation’s objectives
Analyzing investment opportunities, including developing and testing assumptions, building financial models, assessing historical performance and developing and drafting investment memoranda
Developing valuations, investment structures and key terms of investments, in collaboration with the ACIF team
Deep analysis to test and refine investment cases, and defend assumptions, forecasts and investment theses to the broader ACIF team and Investment Committee
Working with financial, legal, tax, and impact advisors to undertake due diligence of investment opportunities; developing diligence scopes, managing due diligence processes and refining investment cases based on findings
Supporting the execution of transaction processes, including legal documentation, required transaction structures, overseeing meeting of conditions precedent, and closing
Working with management teams to develop and align on forecasts – both financial and impact
Supporting management teams to sustainably grow operations and create dignified employment opportunities as well as to deliver on growth and expansion objectives, M&A, product or services growth, etc
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Investment management – fund investments
Evaluating and executing intermediated investments in Africa focused private equity and private credit funds, aligned to the Foundation’s objectives
Assessing and benchmarking fund proposals
Conducting due diligence on fund managers, fund proposals, including impact thesis, returns and budget analyses
Developing and drafting internal investment memoranda
Supporting legal negotiations and documentation of fund commitments
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Thematic research
Conduct sector thematic research in support of ACIF’s investment themes to develop internal expertise and house views
Identify and originate investment opportunities driven by thematic research
Share and disseminate research internally in support of broader Foundation objectives
Reporting
Ensuring appropriate reporting and performance against investment and impact theses of the portfolio
Lead internal periodic reporting and undertake annual portfolio reviews for specific direct and fund investments
Contribute to portfolio wide reporting
WHO YOU ARE
Education & Experience
Bachelor’s degree in finance, economics or an associated field from a recognized institution. Master’s degree or CFA preferred
Minimum of 7 years work experience, with at least 5 years experience in private equity or private credit investing, with a strong preference for investments in Africa
Understanding of investment fundamentals, key drivers of major African markets, and risks of operating in complex markets
Skills
Excellent quantitative analytical skills (financial modeling, financial analysis, etc) and strong written communication and presentation skills (including power point, memo writing, etc)
Demonstrated ability to effectively research and assess investment opportunities in emerging markets
Demonstrated analytical skills to interpret complex financial data
Flexible, adaptable, and able to manage changing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Comfort with ambiguity and uncertainty
Values
Professional maturity, sensitivity with different cultures, and impeccable integrity that exemplify the Foundation’s values
Team player
A partnership approach to working with management teams, co-workers, co-investors and other counterparties
Demonstrate a commitment to Mastercard Foundation’s values and vision
WORK AUTHORIZATION
This role is open to candidates based in Nairobi, Kenya or Johannesburg, South Africa. Candidates must have valid work authorization in the country for which they are applying.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA , Professional Certificate
Experience Required
7 years
