Investment Analyst

Introduction

AgDevCo is recruiting for an Analyst to join our Southern Africa team in our regional office in Cape Town.

Established in 2009, AgDevCo is a social impact investor that invests in agribusinesses in Sub-Saharan Africa. It is a permanent capital vehicle with c$340 million under management and growing. AgDevCo's aim is to promote sustainable and commercially viable agribusinesses and to achieve high development impact by reducing poverty, contributing to wider economic growth and development.

AgDevCo provides patient capital, in the form of debt and/or equity, and specialist advice to support a portfolio of high-potential investees. Our company works closely with its investees as collaborative, yet challenging, partners. AgDevCo's approach allows for a better mutual understanding of each investment's opportunities and risks, which facilitates and accelerates business improvements.

AgDevCo has regional offices and in-country presence in East, West and Southern Africa - and investments in >10 countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

Role

The Analyst will provide support to the Southern Africa regional team by helping to identify, analyse, structure and deliver prospective investments (which will include regional travel). There will also be the opportunity to assist in group wide processes including supporting other regions.

Specific responsibilities

The Analyst will provide support for region specific investment identification, analysis, due diligence, and portfolio management. This will specifically cover investments in Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa and Zambia. Responsibilities will include:

• Supporting the preparation of key investment documents, including investment appraisals, legal agreements (e.g. shareholders agreement, loan documents, etc.) and on-going impact and financial performance monitoring reports;
• Supporting the development of AgDevCo's financial models for existing and new investments, including working and collaborating with other team members and investees as necessary;
• Conducting market and macro-economic research to support investment decisions;
• Conducting detailed fundamental and credit analysis of prospective and existing investees;
• Helping to prepare and present investment proposals to AgDevCo's Senior Management Team and Board of Directors, as well as third party investors and partners;
• Providing administrative support (e.g. preparation for regional team meetings, board meetings, and annual general meetings) to AgDevCo's regional and country teams;
• Undertaking programme administration including meeting minute-taking, tracking project expenditure against budget for individual investments, and weekly country cash-flows.
• Managing regular impact monitoring of specific investments or regional portfolios. This may include managing the review of quarterly financial statements provided by sponsors, supporting the completion of annual monitoring and evaluation (M&E) reports from sponsors, and helping to aggregate country- and regional-level impact results for comparison against log frame targets.
• Supporting all regional teams in the preparation and delivery of their quarterly portfolio reporting, involving managing investment-related data on KPIs, financial results and performance.

Profile

Interested candidates that meet the following requirements should consider applying:

• Strong academic results and the completion of a Degree in Economics, Finance or a similar subject focus. Preference will be granted for candidates with relevant professional qualifications (CA/CFA)
• Analysts will be expected to have a 1-4 years of experience in a relevant area (e.g. impact investing, investment banking, private equity, financial consulting or similar).
• Strong finance and accounting knowledge, as well as excellent data analysis/ quantitative skills. Experience of building and reviewing DCF financial models in packages such as Microsoft Excel will be advantageous.
• Excellent writing, presentation, communication and interpersonal skills; including an ability to take complex analysis and summarise its key take-aways in a structured and succinct manner.
• Experience contributing to senior-level (e.g. board-level) documents or public-facing reports, and will thus have an understanding of the importance of strong writing skills and attention to detail is advantageous
• Demonstrated experience delivering presentations to senior-level staff or stakeholders.
• An interest in and understanding of the opportunities and challenges involved in agricultural development, investing in commercial agribusinesses, and investing for impact.
• An interest and passion for working in African development, with experience living and working in sub-Saharan Africa preferred.
• An ability to work independently, as well as part of a team.

Why should you join us?

Successful candidates will be offered the following

• A competitive salary and benefits package;
• a discretionary annual performance bonus;
• medical aid reimbursement;
• flexible working arrangements;
• the opportunity to travel internationally and gain valuable international experience and insight;
• the opportunity to be part of a diverse team of friendly, collaborative and highly skilled professionals; and
• the opportunity to contribute to Africa's economic development in a meaningful way.

How to apply?

To be considered, email applications must include all of the following:

• confirmation of the right to work in South Africa without the need for sponsorship;
• a CV that details all qualifications and relevant experience; and
• a cover letter that describes the motivation for applying to the role and for pursuing a career in impact investing and agricultural development.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a multi-stage interview process which includes a technical assessment.

Diversity

AgDevCo is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or age.