Current Openings at Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund (AECF)

The Senior Business Analyst role is highly entrepreneurial and analytical, spanning the implementation of strategic initiatives, data analysis, presentation of insights, and executive-level
communication, and engagement. The role will be entrusted with tasks requiring them to connect the dots, cascade the big picture into smaller work streams, and work with teams from
various departments to turn business questions into data analysis and insights for decision-making.

The role will have dual reporting lines to the CEO and the Chief of Staff & Associate Director, Strategy. It will be based in Nairobi, with occasional travel within the region.

Key responsibilities

• Support high-priority strategic organizational initiatives in implementing the strategy, and building & maintaining successful working relationships.
• Coordinate implementation of strategic initiatives with a wide range of offices, staff, and stakeholders, internal and external to AECF.
• Gather, investigate, research, analyze, and/or study information affecting the institution and present findings. Participate in institutional planning and problem resolution.
• Research, write, edit, and coordinate the preparation of reports, briefings, and presentations.
• Identify and troubleshoot issues of business priority while exercising discretion to provide timely information and necessary updates to multiple stakeholders.
• Coordinate and oversee the scheduling of strategic events, meetings, and other requests as prioritized by the organization from time to time.
• Coordinate and harmonize the preparation of workplans and budgets and budgets with respective functions, following up on implementation and periodic reporting to the executive.

Suitable candidates should:

• Possess 5-7 years of experience in strategy consulting, strategy/business intelligence, or international development.
• Have a masters Degree in Business Administration or a lrelated field.
• Have solid experience in management consulting or strategy roles in mid to large-sized organizations. Experience working in impact investing or international development organizations is an added advantage.
• Demonstrate a holistic perspective on overall business objectives and priorities while simultaneously diving into the details and nuances of a problem.
• Have an advanced level of presentation and communication skills: being a clear and concise communicator with the ability to synthesize a lot of information quickly, highlight the key takeaways, and disseminate practical insights.
• Be a self-starter who can self-identify challenges, work independently, investigate, and package information into effective actions.
• Have the ability to build collegial relationships and collaborate with senior leadership, peers, and staff at all levels
• Possess strategic planning skills and the ability to perform complex tasks and prioritize multiple projects within the CEO’s office.
• Have excellent business judgment, analytical, and problem-solving skills to identify issues, present creative, practical solutions, and make and commit to sound decisions, anticipating short- and long-term implications.
• Have the ability to identify, analyze, and address a wide variety of issues and problems in a high-intensity environment.

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Key responsibilities

• Lead pipeline development and portfolio construction, including promoting competitions and sourcing high-potential enterprises.
• Analyze applications, conduct due diligence, develop financial models, and prepare investment memos for presentation to internal and external investment committees.
• Support investees throughout the implementation process to ensure efficiency, effectiveness, and adherence to AECF’s grant implementation principles.
• Maintain strong professional relationships with investees (and service providers) to ensure value for money and mitigate risks.
• Conduct regular monitoring of grant implementation, including tracking milestones, compliance, timelines, and deliverables, through analysis of periodic reports and provision of feedback and site visits.
• Review and analyze fund disbursement requests promptly and make informed recommendations.
• Prepare regular reports on investee performance, highlighting deviations or delays, and propose corrective action in consultation with colleagues and investees.
• Coordinate technical assistance support for investees in collaboration with internal teams and external service providers.
• Ensure appropriate legal review and opinion for all investments requiring the legal department’s advice.
• Contribute to the preparation of donor reports, management reports, and proposal development for new programme areas.
• Actively support the portfolio learning agenda in collaboration with the Impact, Knowledge, and Insights teams to capture lessons, enhance AECF’s reputation, and drive systemic change across market systems.
• Ensure compliance with internal controls and risk management of the portfolio in accordance with the wider AECF Management Framework.
• Implement the programme-level risk and mitigation framework, in line with the overall AECF Risk and Compliance Management
  Framework.

Suitable candidates should:

• Possess a bachelor’s degree in finance, business administration, accounting, economics, development finance, or a related field.
• Have a professional qualification such as CFA, ACCA, CPA, or equivalent.
• Possess at least 7 years of experience in development finance, investment management, venture building, impact investing, or related experience.
• Have experience managing blended finance, results-based schemes, or challenge funds.
• Have proven track record in structuring and managing investments in SME’s, renewable energy, or climate-related sectors with strong financial analysis and modelling skills, experience in due diligence processes (financial and operational), and portfolio management (monitoring, reporting, and risk management).
• Have hands-on experience working with early-stage enterprises, an understanding of the work and challenges of renewable energy companies, and agricultural value chains in Ethiopia.
• Possess strong stakeholder engagement and negotiation skills working with investees, government stakeholders, and other stakeholders.