INVESTMENT ASSOCIATE (PUBLIC SECTOR)

ABOUT GIF

The Global Innovation Fund (www.globalinnovation.fund) (GIF) is a non-profit, social impact-first investment vehicle that finds, funds, and scales-up cost-effective, evidence-based innovations that have the potential to measurably improve the lives of millions of people living on $5 a day or less.

GIF is focused on doing more with less to turn ideas into impact. GIF’s unique hybrid model, as both a UK registered charity/US 501(c)3 and an investor, reflects our dual mission: to invest in innovations that improve the lives of the poor, and to demonstrate how bringing evidence and the power of the private sector to bear can create new solutions to persistent development problems.  

GIF offers grants, loans and equity-type investments ranging from $50,000 to $15 million to support a range of innovations with strong potential for social impact at a large scale. We support innovators at different phases of development, ranging from early start-up and pilot-testing to rigorous experiments and larger scale implementation. The innovations GIF supports can be located in any developing country and may focus on any sector relevant to international development, although we are increasingly focussing our investment on the high additionality areas of innovating for gender equality, and climate resilience and adaptation.

POSITION SUMMARY

GIF is seeking an Investment Associate to join its dynamic investment team. The Investment Associate supports all functions of the investment process – from sourcing high-potential innovations, undertaking due diligence, presenting investment cases to decision makers, negotiating grant agreements and managing relationships with organisations already in our portfolio. This roles sites within the public sector team which uses grants to fund innovations developed which scale through public sector, multilateral or non-profit pathway.

This work requires a solid grounding in development economics and comfort in using evidence to inform decisions, as well as an appreciation of implementation realities and what is required for an innovation to scale through government.

This role reports to a GIF Investment Director. The Investment Associate’s responsibilities include:

·       Sourcing applications through different channels and building a pipeline of prospective investments which meet GIF criteria, including by screening applications submitted through GIF’s open application platform

·       Supporting deal leads in the evaluation of applications under active due diligence. This includes managing correspondence with applicants, attending and documenting meetings with external participants, research and analysis against GIF investment criteria.

·       Managing investments in the GIF portfolio, including through negotiating grant agreements, responding to reporting, monitoring progress towards objectives and KPIs, risk identification and mitigation, maintaining portfolio records and identifying opportunities for GIF to add value to investees through portfolio support activities.

·       Identifying opportunities to make improvements to GIF systems and processes and proactively developing collaborative solutions.

·       Contributing to wider organisational initiatives, including cross organisational working groups, learning events, donor reporting, publications, and communications outputs.

REQUIRED SKILLS, EXPERIENCE, AND ATTRIBUTES

·       Education in development economics or a related subject.

·       A minimum of 3 years expereince in international development or public policy within a developing country, including professional experience living and working in a developing country context (experience working with government in a developing country is a strong plus given many of the innovations we support to seek to scale through public sector pathways).

·       Expereince working in the field of climate adaptation and resilience is desirable but not essential.

·       Working knowledge of rigorous impact measurement, evaluation, and economic analysis.

·       Familiarity with the fundamentals of due diligence, grant making and/or venture philanthropy.

·       Excellent analytical skills.

·       Strong attention to detail and outstanding organization skills.

·       Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

·       Comfort with ambiguity and proven experience thriving in uncharted waters.

·       Ability to interact effectively and harmoniously with others across diverse teams and cultures.

·       Self-motivated, with a commitment and passion to learn and develop.

·       Passion, humility, integrity, team player, proven self-direction and a spirited sense of humour.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This role can be based from GIF’s London, Washington D.C. or Nairobi office.

The applicants are urged to follow the instructions available on https://app.beapplied.com/apply/dbibg2k5ld. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application and in accordance to the evaluation criteria of the job opening. The application process will close at 5:30 pm, 1st April 2022 GMT

Global Innovation Fund is committed to promoting equal opportunities in employment.

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