Investment Principal

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Position Title: Investment Principal
Location: Nairobi
Country: Kenya
Deadline Date: mid-September

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
Mercy Corps Ventures is a family of funds established in 2015, focused on climate adaptation and resilience solutions for underserved individuals and communities in emerging markets. The organization has backed over 50 early-stage ventures, raising over $460 million in follow-on capital and reaching nearly 20 million end users with impactful products and services. Their portfolio includes a significant percentage of female-founded companies and numerous category leaders in sectors such as Climate Tech, AgTech, and Inclusive FinTech. The organization operates globally, with a strong emphasis on supporting tech-enabled startups that drive sustainable and equitable impact.

Job Overview:
The Investment Principal will play a crucial role in leading the investment portfolio in East Africa for Mercy Corps Ventures. This position is designed for individuals who are passionate about venture capital and eager to work with disruptive founders in the Climate Tech, AgTech, and FinTech sectors. The role involves managing the entire investment lifecycle, from sourcing and due diligence to negotiations and closing of seed and early-stage investments. The Investment Principal will also engage actively with portfolio companies, providing strategic support and guidance, and will be expected to build a robust network of founders and co-investors in the region. This position offers significant opportunities for career growth within a dynamic and entrepreneurial environment.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Investment Principal will lead all Mercy Corps Ventures workstreams in East and Southern Africa, fostering relationships with incubators, accelerators, and other ecosystem actors. They will develop a pipeline of potential investments, conduct due diligence, and lead investment structuring and negotiations. The role includes presenting investment opportunities to the Investment Committee, managing deal closing processes, and supporting other team members in due diligence. Additionally, the Investment Principal will oversee portfolio companies, providing strategic advisory and ensuring that portfolio data is collected and analyzed. They will represent Mercy Corps Ventures at industry events and contribute to thought leadership through writing and public engagement.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor's degree in Business or a related field, with an MBA or equivalent preferred. A minimum of 7 years of business experience is required, with a proven track record in venture capital investing, private equity, impact investing, or management consulting. Strong analytical skills, a robust network of contacts in the investment community, and primary domain expertise in AgTech, FinTech, or Climate Tech are essential. The ideal candidate should be a team-oriented individual with excellent communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively in a high-performance environment.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor's degree in Business or a related field is mandatory, while an MBA or equivalent qualification is considered a plus. The educational background should support the analytical and strategic skills necessary for the role.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least 7 years of relevant business experience, particularly in venture capital or related fields. Experience in investing in startups, managing investments, or working in entrepreneurship and incubation is highly valued. Hands-on operational experience as a founder or executive in a startup context is also advantageous.

Languages:
Fluency in written and spoken English is mandatory. Additional language skills relevant to the East African region may be considered beneficial but are not explicitly required.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Nairobi, Kenya, and may require up to 50% travel across East Africa. Candidates must have authorization to work in Kenya, as Mercy Corps cannot provide work authorization. The role is expected to be full-time, and the organization emphasizes ongoing learning, diversity, equity, and inclusion in its hiring practices. The application process includes multiple interview stages, and the organization is committed to safeguarding and ethical practices in its operations.