This is a hybrid position based in the WRI Africa office in Nairobi, Kenya. Existing work authorization is required at the time of application submission. WRI is unable to sponsor any visa work sponsorship for this position.
About the Program:
P4G - Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030 - contributes to green and inclusive growth in low- and middle-income countries by helping early-stage climate businesses become investment-ready and supporting national climate platform connections in food, water and energy systems. Hosted by World Resources Institute and funded by Denmark, the Netherlands and the Republic of Korea, P4G partner countries include Colombia, Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa, Indonesia and Vietnam. P4G provides grants and technical assistance to early-stage climate businesses within a broader partnership to improve their investor readiness. All partnerships are in consideration of national priorities as defined in the NDCs and coordinated by each of P4Gโs nine government-led P4G National Platforms. The partnerships and the National Platforms engage together on sector specific policy and regulatory changes to promote business growth. P4G captures and mobilizes knowledge around these public-private pathways to increase the flow of global climate finance to local climate businesses.
Job Highlight:
Reporting to the P4G Executive Director, the Africa Regional Managerโs key roles will be to: (1) increase the quality of origination and success rates of P4G early stage locally led climate businesses across Africa; (2) work concurrently with the P4G National Platforms to advance enabling policy and regulatory reform related to the portfolio of companies and related sub-sector areas; and (3) advance the state of knowledge related to how to enable greater flows of global climate capital to local climate businesses. You will be supported by the Africa regional team of P4G National Platform Liaisons and related P4G team members. As the Regional Investment Manager for Africa you will support in-country engagement and the participation of P4Gโs African country partners in major P4G activities and events by coordinating closely with the P4G Hub team (the P4G secretariat), the African P4G National Platforms, and related P4G partners. In partnership with these stakeholder you will originate and accelerate climate entrepreneurs in the region, while concurrently working on the market systems to enable the overall growth of the sector.
What will you do:
Partnership origination, acceleration and graduation (70%):
- Responsible for the origination process across Africa to source innovative early stage climate ventures
- Lead the analysis and due diligence to determine if the climate business has the potential to grow from seed to early growth level
- Lead financial due diligence process and evaluation of commercial viability for P4G business model for new P4G partnership applications implementing in Ethiopia, Kenya and South Africa, including reviewing business plan and financial forecasts, and investment risk and mitigation. Prepare the Committee Due Diligence document to present to the Independent Grants Committee for final award decisions
- Conduct market research to help develop investment strategies and identify transaction opportunities for P4G partnerships implementing in P4Gโs country partners in Africa. Facilitate investment and blended finance solutions for P4G partnerships through technical support to their business model and commercial readiness from origination to acceleration
- Provide mentor/advisor services to P4G climate businesses. Identify and maintain a network of regional investment and development financing institutions and climate financing facilities to enable transaction deals for P4G funded partnerships. Arrange for value chain B2B matchmaking and investor matchmaking
- Leverage network of investor relationships, manage the deal flow of P4G funded partnerships, and assist them in realizing blended financing and financial closure
Fundraising and Strategy development (30%):
ยท Lead and advance P4G knowledge and strategy in Africa Works with P4Gโs in country staff, P4Gโs National Platforms, and with other partners in the ecosystem (i.e. accelerators, tech hubs and early stage venture funds) across Africa to build the P4G network
ยท Work with the P4G National Platform Liaisons in the region to ensure coordination between government ministries and other relevant stakeholders in the private sector and civil societies regarding P4G partnerships, key dialogues, and matters of coordination on behalf of P4Gโs overall implementation, strategy and knowledge mobilization
ยท Implement P4Gโs Phase 2 theory of change on the African continent
ยท Coordinate with the P4G leadership team that includes the other regional investment managers and the operations and knowledge teams
ยท Oversee P4G National Platform Liaisons and Partnership Investment Management staff in the region. Represent P4G at high-level discussions within partner Ministries and companies, building relationships at that level both within the P4G National Platform and within a broader network
ยท Manage investor relationships with relevant commercial and climate financing agencies to raise investor awareness and understanding of the P4G business model and funded partnerships
ยท Work with the P4G leadership team on fundraising for P4G and for investment in partnerships from donor countries, impact investors, foundations and financial institutions
ยท Travel to other P4G countries in Africa, and other global meetings and events.
What will you need:
ยท Education: You will have a masterโs or advanced degree in business, finance, or a relevant technical field
ยท Experience: You have 10+ years of experience in investment, commercial and strategic financial management responsibilities with 3+ years of supervisory experience
ยท Experience managing financial deals or transactions for projects or enterprises, and commercialization of startup companies in supporting investment deals for market-based green ventures
ยท Demonstrated knowledge of business planning, financial due diligence, reviewing deal documentation. Experience with reviewing investment memorandum, project financing, venture financing, financial modeling and financial structuring (debt, equity, blended, guarantees etc.)
ยท Demonstrated familiarity with regional investment and development financing schemes for green growth projects and on applications of climate fund facilities
ยท Demonstrated understanding of investment framework of private equity, development financial institutions and institutional investors
ยท Experience engaging with government officials and in multi-stakeholder engagements and public and private cross-sectoral coordination around green growth and climate themes/SDGs/NDCs
ยท Demonstrated expertise in one or more of P4Gโs technical sectors. These include climate, food and agriculture, clean energy, and water
ยท Experience working in a multicultural environment
ยท Languages: You are proficient in verbal and written English. Additional language skills desirable
ยท Requirements: Existing work authorization is required where this position is based. WRI is unable to authorize visa work authorization.
Potential Salary:
Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors.
How to Apply:
Please submit a resume with cover letter by November 13 2023. You must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered.
What we offer:
ยท A competitive salary.
ยท Access to the WRI global network with the opportunity to exchange with and learn from passionate colleagues working at the cutting edge of their fields across Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America and the US