Investment Director at FINCA International

Experience: Mid-Senior level

About the Job

• This position will be based in Sub-Saharan Africa, with a preference for East or West Africa**
• FINCA is hiring an Investment Director, reporting to the Managing Director. Candidates with experience in Global Health, Agriculture or Financial Inclusion are highly encouraged to apply.
• In joining this team, you will have an instrumental role in shaping the strategy behind FINCA Ventures, and in bolstering FINCA’s role and impact in ending poverty by supporting world-class social enterprises.

About the Role

• Lead all aspects of the investment process independently, including identifying and managing pipeline, screening opportunities, conducting due diligence, negotiating terms, and writing investment memorandums, with oversight from the Managing Director.
• Develop sector strategies to inform investment theses.
• Set and implement FINCA Ventures social impact strategy and drive continued focus on the social return on investment into all aspects of the firm.
• Structure investments and lead negotiations with potential investees.
• Create and publish thought leadership and serve in visible public facing roles as a representative of the firm.
• Serve as the key contact person for portfolio companies, coordinating post-investment support and representing FINCA Ventures on advisory boards and otherwise.
• Evaluate and refine the investment process to ensure the firm makes regular improvements and delivers on all key operational milestones.
• Manage junior team members and help mentor other staff.
• Assist in fundraising activities as the firm raises its first external capital.
• Manage relationships with external funders, including USAID, other development agencies, foundations and DFIs.
• Represent FINCA Ventures in the marketplace, building trusted relationships with key players in the entrepreneurship and funding landscape.
• Liaise with FINCA staff to ensure portfolio companies can best leverage the full FINCA asset base.
• Work closely with portfolio companies to secure them follow-on capital and, eventually, on ways to secure FINCA Ventures successful exits.

Qualifications
The candidate should possess:

• Master's level Degree in Business.
• Five to twenty years of experience, including some combination of principal investing (i.e., VC, PE, impact investing), management consulting, investment banking, and entrepreneurship or startup experience.
• Significant time living and working in emerging markets with substantial exposure to social entrepreneurship.
• Knowledge of relevant industry sector trends with experience in Healthcare, Agriculture and Financial Inclusion preferred. One or more of the following would also be useful: WASH and technology.
• Key on the ground relationships and networks in emerging markets to source deal pipeline and support existing portfolio companies.
• Superior analytical, quantitative, and business writing skills with a demonstrated ability to communicate investment themes, and perform business analysis, and market assessment.
• Strong project management skills, particularly the ability to work and deliver projects on-time while operating independently and under pressure.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and lead junior resources.
• Strong communication skills with ability present effectively to a range of stakeholders and build rapport.
• Attention to detail and accuracy, and outstanding organization skills.
• Self-initiator with entrepreneurial mindset and ability to work and succeed in a fast-paced, startup environment with limited oversight.
• Cultural sensitivity with ability to interact effectively with colleagues and external partners from diverse backgrounds and multi-cultural environments.
• Genuine commitment to work with early stage and growth companies to build scalable and sustainable social enterprises.
• Intellectual curiosity, tenacity, sense of humor, and creativity / independent thought.

Travel Requirements:

• Availability to travel 40% of the time from the East or West Africa home region location