Investment director, capital mobilization and market creation

We are hiring an Investment Director who is motivated and passionate about working with different sources of capital and financial products to create impactful transactions in emerging and frontier markets – primarily across Africa

IFU Blended Finance seeks to bridge the ‘relative value gap’ between the risk-return appetite of commercial investors and IFU’s core capital, and the risk-return profile of many of the impactful opportunities that we source in the markers we target. IFU Blended Finance relies on such risk-mitigating products as concessional capital, guarantees (pari-passu, first-loss, second-loss), sub-ordinated debt, and lower return requirements. We think innovatively about ways to deploy our capital, attract, and mobilise other investors, and drive sustainable impact in emerging markets. We aim to create a virtuous circle of investment and impact. Your contribution will be essential.  

IFU Blended Finance is part of a group of 3 facilities that rely on concessional funds and backing from the Government of Denmark. The other facilities are the Development Guarantee Facility (DGF) and IFU Impact Ventures (IIV).

The position & your tasks

Reporting to the Vice President for Impact Partnerships, the preferred  candidate will have a background in structuring innovative blended finance solutions for impact and / or mobilisation in an emerging market context with a strong focus on Africa and Climate Finance. The selected candidate would be expected to: 

• Work with IFU investment teams  to identify transactions that would qualify for applying a blended finance approach. Qualifying transactions will need to have an intent to mobilize capital that would not be possible without the risk mitigation of the concessional capital. 
• Contribute to design,  documentation and maintenance of an IFU playbook to guide deal teams by setting parameters and defining processes for use of blended finance. 
• Help socialise and drive understanding of blended finance internally through presentations and direct engagement with relevant teams.
• As project manager be responsible for investment processes leading to an IFU investment and for management of a portfolio of investments
• Work with key stakeholders and providers of concessional capital and / or de-risking, such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, the European Commission, including through such channels as EFSD+ and EDFI MC.
• Bring understanding of the different possible investment structures to mitigate risk (or enhance return, or both) for investors, and their relative needs for catalytic or concessional capital.
• Advise on the best structures to bring commercial investors into a transaction with minimum concessional capital, maximum alignment and maximum capital efficiency. 
• Establish relationships with senior internal and external stakeholders that stretch across several functions and geographies. 
• Represent IFU externally in discussions about innovative finance and mobilisation of commercial capital and impact. 

The position is based in Copenhagen. Although the position does not require frequent travel, ability and willingness to travel is important.

Qualifications & experience

Key qualifications are 7+ years of full-time experience and track record from international development and / or of working in or with emerging market assets (preference for Africa). In addition: 

• Master's degree in Economics, Business, Finance, or another related field. 
• Experience and solid understanding of impact and additionality in a blended finance context
• An existing network among investors in emerging markets and / or impact investing;   
• A pragmatic mindset and approach to finding solutions and shaping recommendations
• Proven ability to think strategically and collaborate and manage stakeholders.
• Strong interpersonal skills and business judgement.  
• Experience in monitoring and reporting on a portfolio of projects, programs, and/or initiatives.
• Strong organizational skills and proven ability to work on several assignments simultaneously is required.
• Outstanding and demonstrated history of analytical, creative problem solving and critical thinking skills is required.
• Strong written and verbal communications skills in English are required. Proficiency in other languages spoken in emerging markets (French, Spanish, Portuguese) would be a plus. 
• Genuine dedication to development and to IFU’s mission and values.
   

Working and Learning at IFU

As an investment professional in IFU, you will get familiar with how we work and create impact through investments in developing countries. Learning is an important element of working in IFU, and we will support your personal development through training, sparring and by ensuring that you get exciting and challenging tasks that you can learn from supplemented by regular internal and external training sessions. When joining IFU, you will participate in our extensive onboarding programme to give you the best possible start in your new role.