Head of Investments

Job Title: Head of Investments

Department: Executive

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

Location: Nairobi, Kenya

About Us

We are a leading development impact investor committed to building resilient communities across Sub-Saharan Africa. Since our inception, we've strategically deployed flexible financing and tailored support to drive innovation in the agribusiness and renewable energy sectors. Our goal is to create lasting social and economic change within the continent's most marginalized communities.

This commitment has driven extraordinary results. To date, we've catalyzed growth in over 400 impactful businesses across 26 countries, leveraging over $450 million in programmatic funding. These enterprises, often facing barriers to traditional investment, have collectively created over 25,000 jobs and positively transformed 31 million lives. It's a testament to our model that blends patient capital with hands-on guidance, fueling businesses that make a genuine difference.

We understand that financing is just one piece of the puzzle. AECF actively works to bridge the gap for early-stage and socially impactful enterprises through advisory services, investment support, and knowledge-sharing. Yet, we never lose sight of our true purpose: transforming lives within Africa's vibrant economies. Now, AECF is embarking on a transformative journey to revolutionize development financing for African businesses. For years, we've excelled in delivering grants, interest free loans, and investment support to businesses driving positive social and economic impacts. We seek a visionary Head of Investments to guide us beyond traditional approaches and design genuinely innovative funding vehicles and products.

About the role

The Head of Investments will be the principal advisor to the CEO on designing and structuring of new fund/s, asset management, transactional advisory, and building AECF’s refocused returnable capital strategy. This strategic leadership role is for a dynamic individual who's passionate about pioneering funding solutions to unlock potential across Africa's vibrant agribusiness and renewable energy sectors. If you are driven by a commitment to impactful and sustainable development, fueled by ingenuity, and thrive when challenging the status quo, this is an unparalleled opportunity to make your mark. 

Key Responsibilities

Fund Design and Innovation

• Lead the design and structuring of innovative funding vehicles within AECF, ensuring alignment with the organization's impact goals and returnable capital strategy.

• Coordinate with internal teams and external specialists to develop fund management approaches that attract investment and optimize resources.

• Develop and implement AECF's transactional advisory services strategy, guiding deal structuring, revenue generation, and client engagement.

Impact Investment Development & Management

• Craft and execute AECF's impact investment strategy, expanding the organization's financial tools beyond traditional grant capital.

• Establish and oversee a rigorous framework that assesses the social, economic, and environmental impact of all investments.

• Construct and manage a robust impact investment portfolio, ensuring responsible investment practices and positive returns.

• Advise development programs on investment analysis, deal evaluation, and portfolio management, strengthening overall capacity.

Strategic Partnerships & Resource Mobilization

• Seek and forge partnerships with like-minded investors, fund managers, and organizations to increase financial resources and impact potential.

• Proactively mobilize funds from diverse sources (public, private, foundations) to fuel innovative investment projects.

• Represent AECF externally, promoting its impact investment vision and building valuable networks.

Required qualifications, experience and attributes

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in investment management, with at least 5+ years in fund management roles focused on emerging markets, particularly within Sub-Saharan Africa.

• Master's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Economics, International Development, or a closely related field. Relevant professional certifications (CFA, CAIA, etc.) are highly advantageous.

• Working knowledge of Agribusiness, Renewable Energy, and Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation in sub-Saharan Africa.  

• Proven success in designing and structuring innovative, catalytic fund structures tailored towards impact investing.

• Demonstrated experience in deal origination, evaluation, structuring, and portfolio management of impact investments.

• Track record in developing and executing fundraising strategies, and mobilizing resources from diverse sources (public, private, philanthropic).

• Ability to think strategically about funding challenges in development finance, and crafting solutions to meet evolving needs.

• Excellent relationship development skills, particularly with investors, co-funders, and development partners.

• Capacity to represent AECF in relevant forums and expand networks of key stakeholders.

• Experience navigating the legal, regulatory, and tax environments relevant to Africa-focused investment funds.