Impact Investing Officer

Job Description

ABOUT IMPACT INVESTING AT AKF USA

Launched in 2011, AKF USA’s Impact Investing program grew directly from AKDN’s history of using innovative financing mechanisms to achieve social and economic development. AKDN has long embraced the discipline of investing for impact to increase the amount of capital available for social infrastructure projects. Impact Investing at AKF USA has three primary objectives:

• Mobilize investment capital for high-impact social enterprises within or associated with the AKDN
• Make mission-related investments (MRI) in support of AKDN enterprises and/or beneficiaries
• Developing new models of blended finance within the AKDN context

AKF USA provides catalytic capital to AKDN social enterprises across Central and South Asia, East and West Africa, and the Middle East.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Impact Investing Team is seeking a full-time Invest Officer to be responsible for the overall direction, coordination, implementation, and completion of projects and management of staff in pursuit of the Team’s objectives. The Team currently has two full-time staff members and a nine-month Professional Development Fellow. The Investment Officer will play an active role in collaborating AKF USA’s Programs team to blend more traditional grant-funded programming with impact investments by helping develop new approaches and strategies and by cultivating new partnerships and programmatic areas within AKF USA’s broader Programs & Investments portfolio. The Investment Officer will spend significant time initiating and maintaining external relationships and should have a demonstrated ability to forge strong organizational partnerships.

Financial modelling and analytical skills and knowledge of financial structures are required. Additional

Knowledge of IRS program-related investment regulations and expertise in financial and legal due diligence of complex financial transactions is highly desired.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

General Management

• Recruit, manage, inspire, motivate and empower a strong staff team of direct reports
• Maintain project and administrative budgets
• Provide strategic guidance and input for reporting on impact investment policies, partnerships, sector building, communications content, and staffing
• Represent the organization at public events and in the media

Developing New Investments

• Lead the design, structuring and fundraising for potential AKDN-led pooled capital vehicles to invest in social enterprises in geographies of interest
• Identify and cultivate new investment opportunities in coordination with the goal of developing an AKDN pipeline
• Liaise with field offices to identify new funding opportunities, provide technical assistance in specified areas, and deliver advice, training and tools to support overall resource mobilization and grant/investment management

Business Development and Relationship Management

• Lead the identification, cultivation and development of new funding partnerships, alliances and opportunities, including identifying and cultivating co-investors and grant makers
• Manage the investment process from scoping to closure, including deal development, structuring, negotiation, and execution of investment documentation while maintaining compliance with U.S. non-profit law
• Coordinate across departments to identify and pursue strategic resource mobilization activities
• Forge long-term partnerships with sector associations, such as ANDE, GIIN, and SOCAP

Professionalization of Systems

• Liaise with Communications Team to finalize and implement investing communications plan
• Continue professionalization of MRI portfolio internal systems and procedures, including:
  • Leverage professional networks to set up and manage an external advisory committee
  • Oversee the development and implementation of systems for tracking investee compliance and streamlining reporting and monitoring
  • Oversee the development and implementation of systems for tracking social impacts
  • Oversee the development and implementation of new policies, including compliance, risk, and environmental impact, as needed

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• A graduate degree in international development or relations, economics, finance, business administration or related field with a minimum of seven years of relevant work experience.
• Proven ability to identify and executive investments, mobilize resources, manage budgets, and provide strategic oversight for multiple work-streams.
• Applicants should possess team-focused leadership skills and have experience working in multi-cultural environments.
• Must be able to motivate self and team and work effectively across office departments and overseas offices. Fluency in English is required, French and/or Russian is a plus.

TO APPLY

Submit résumé, cover letter, three references and salary requirements to humanresources.akfusa@akdn.org by September 11^th, 2015. Must indicate “Impact Investing Officer – September 2015” on the subject line.

Aga Khan Foundation U.S.A.

1825 K Street, NW, Suite 901

Washington, D.C. 20006

Tel: 202-293-2537

Fax: 202-785-1752

About the Organization

ABOUT AGA KHAN FOUNDATION U.S.A. (AKF USA)

Established in 1981, AKF USA is a private, non-denominational, non-profit international development organization committed to alleviating poverty, hunger, disease and illiteracy, primarily in Africa and Asia. Its mission is to strengthen the capacity of grassroots communities to solve their own problems and to promote opportunities that lead to long-term improvements in their income, health, education and the sustainability of local institutions and the environment. The Foundation supports community-based programs in the areas of health, education, rural development and civil society. Aga Khan Foundation is an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), a group of 11 private development agencies working to empower communities and individuals, often in disadvantaged circumstances, to improve living conditions and opportunities, especially in Africa and Asia.