Sr. Director, Finance & Investment

The Sr. Director, Finance & Investment will join the Catalyzing Investment Team in the Technical Learning and Application Division within ACDI/VOCA. In this role, the Sr. Director, Finance & Investment will join a dynamic group exploring the frontiers of impact investing, blended finance, and innovative finance. The Catalyzing Investment team provides impact investing fund management oversight of over $40M of Assets Under Management for AV Ventures, and technical support to projects with a value of over $150M.

This position’s primary responsibility will be to support the blended finance impact funds managed by AV Ventures (AVV) LLC, ACDI/VOCA’s investment management subsidiary. In addition, the Sr. Director, Finance & Investment will support ACDI/VOCA’s financial services and investment facilitation work in the Catalyzing Investment Team. This role is in recognition of ACDI/VOCA’s commitment to promoting innovative finance and financial inclusion through the combined impact of AVV and ACDI/VOCA, where AVV's investment activities leverage ACDI/VOCA's development programs, and ACDI/VOCA programs leverage the investment capacity of AV Ventures.

Responsibilities

1. Guidance and oversight of AVVs’ local investment management efforts (60%)
   • Lead Home Office support for one or more of AVV’s fund management efforts in Ghana, Kenya, Central Asia, and Burkina Faso. Activities may include but are not limited to oversight of pipeline building, review of investment memos and financial models, due diligence, Investment Committee approval process, and portfolio monitoring.
   • Provide oversight and guidance to one or more of AVV local teams.
   • Support AVV funds with financial analysis at investee and portfolio/fund levels.
   • Support AVV with Fund-level financial analysis and projections.
   • Contribute significantly to fundraising efforts with potential Limited Partner investors for one or more AVV funds.
   • Develop and refine impact measurement frameworks for AVV impact funds.
2. Project technical support and business development (30%)
   • Provide as-needed technical support to the financial services and investment facilitation components and work streams on projects. Tasks will vary but may include financial systems and investment landscape analysis, engaging and structuring partnerships with key financial sector partners (investment funds, banks, fintechs, MFIs, non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs), etc.), and identifying activities to improve access for women.
   • Support Finance or Investment leads on projects, helping to develop Investment facilitation and / or Access to Finance pilots and initiatives.
   • Provide, or oversee the provision of, technical guidance and/or quality control to proposals and project design, particularly regarding sections relevant to financial services and investment facilitation.
   • Act as technical lead/writer or subject matter expert for proposals, providing technical leadership on all matters related to financial services throughout the proposal process, including partner identification and recruitment.
   • Identify opportunities and develop concept notes and pitch materials for new funders of blended finance, first loss capital and technical assistance sidecar facilities, for joint initiatives of AVV and ACDI/VOCA.
   • Identify and meet with other organizations/donors on possible new funding activities and/or partnerships related to financial services, investment facilitation, inclusive market systems, and other relevant technical topics.
3. Technical Learning and Collaboration (10%)
   • Promote learning and collaboration across the organization and with project offices through the identification of learning needs/opportunities related to financial services and investment facilitation, and supporting and/or leading the development, standardization, and rollout of tools and learning products.
   • Participate in relevant ACDI/VOCA Community of Practices.
   • Contribute to the development of resources, research, and learning themes prioritized by the Catalyzing Investment Team.
   • Actively seek out opportunities to share technical knowledge.
   • Solicit feedback from other groups, including the field, and suggest effective ways to work together.
   • Respond to technical needs from practice areas, project staff, and others.
   • Promote ACDI/VOCA Group’s image as a learning organization by participating in and presenting at international, domestic, and local meetings, webinars, workshops, and conferences.
4. Additional Duties
   • Support and enhance the company's culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion and align with our corporate values by treating others with respect and congeniality.
   • Host or attend meetings in person as needed, when required.
   • Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Minimum of eight (8) years’ experience, including overseas work, in investment or finance, plus three (3) years of managerial.
• Master’s degree required in business administration, finance, economics, international development, or related field. Significant (additional 3 years beyond minimum requirement) prior work experience in investment management and financial modeling can replace this requirement.
• Strong financial analysis and modeling skills required.
• Significant work experience in private equity or investment strongly preferred.
• Financial certifications (e.g. CFA) preferred.
• Fluency in English required. Fluency in Russian, French, and/or Spanish is preferred.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English required (with the ability to write in another language such as Russian, French, or Spanish preferred).
• Ability and willingness to travel internationally required; may be required to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 based on country requirements.
• Strong interpersonal and team skills, with ability to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures and embrace innovation and creative thinking.
• Demonstrated leadership and team building skills, particularly leading cross-departmental and international groups.
• Experience with multi-media applications, PowerPoint and other Microsoft programs.
• Must be available during core business hours and/or operating hours for international time differences; flexibility to work more hours when needed.
• Flexibility to work in office based on work demands.
• Must adhere to our company's Health Safety Code of Conduct and demonstrate the organization's commitment to sustaining a healthy and safe work environment.