Key dimensions of the role 

Origination

• Build relationships with all H2R stakeholders within the focused countries, including, business owners, borrowers, lenders / investors and risk partners; steering deals from identification to close in line with H2R’s investment policy, risk appetite and development impact mandate.
• Develop pipeline, source and evaluate new transactions, pre-screen transactions according to eligibility and ESG criteria.
• Strong networker and relationship builder.

Deal Execution

• Conduct due diligence, in preparing credit approval memos, present transactions to the investment committee to obtain credit approval, negotiate and review legal documentation, and participate in deal closing.
• Retain oversight of the transaction, quality of work, approach taken, and outputs as the team undertakes due diligence, structuring, qualitative and quantitative appraisals, preparation of Credit Committee papers for the H2R Investment Committee, reviewing and executing legal documentation to reach financial close.
• Financial modelling – including review, stress-testing and carrying out of scenario analysis.
• Coordination with Sustainable Developmental Impact (SDI) and Health Safety Environmental and Social (HSES) teams on respective assessments.
• Coordination with internal teams for client on-boarding, KYC checks and related tasks.

Portfolio Management

• Manage portfolio performance: It’s about understanding the core issues and where to intervene. And it’s also about covenant compliance, periodic/annual reviews, examining amendments and waiver requests, providing performance updates to managers, identifying, and acting on warning signals, participating in portfolio reviews, cooperating in the validation of impact data collection and analysis and incentives to borrowers for extending first time clean energy access.

Strategy Development

• Work closely with the Managing Director, for developing and delivering the H2R strategy.
• Support fundraising and reporting with investors, including development finance institutions.
• Ensure the delivery of the business plan and wider strategic aims.
• Support on strategic planning regarding our market positioning, strategic relationships, products, etc.
• Lead the investment team to help the team understand the investment strategy.

Leadership and Team Management

• Always leads by example and sets the tone for the culture of the organisation.
• Demonstrates accountability and actively encourages everyone to operate with the highest level of integrity.
• Promotes exemplary working behaviours with a strong focus on collaboration and ‘rolling up your sleeves’.
• Leads and manages the Investment Team to deliver high-quality results, taking full ownership of complex issues and outcomes, effectively managing pressure situations, while ensuring H2R’s values are maintained.
• Undertake other duties as and when required.

Skills and qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess, but is not limited to:

• 12 years + transactional experience in venture debt or private credit funds in emerging markets with a focus on Off-Grid transaction (Solar Home System and mini-grid financing).
• Master’s degree in finance, economics, business, or a related field.
• CFA/CPA qualification would be advantageous.
• Experience in conducting commercial and operational due diligence.
• Background in financing SMEs in an advisory or principal role; operational understanding of what it takes to build and run earlystage businesses across finance, marketing, sales, distribution, customer service, talent, governance.
• Strong experience in securitization transaction type of structure.
• Strong financial accounting and financial statement analysis skills.
• Strong financial modelling and cashflow analysis skills.
• Good knowledge of transaction legal documentation.
• Track record of delivering a strong client focused service.
• Experience in line management.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.
• Have good networks across financial intermediaries, impact investors, and other stakeholders in Africa.
• A commitment to serving people living in poverty.
• A willingness to roll up your sleeves with your team and get to work. There are people that need clean energy, after all.
• Self-reflective and aligned with Acumen values.
• Permanent work authorization for Kenya.