Interim Associate, Impact Investing, London, United Kingdom

Interim Associate, Impact Investing, London, United Kingdom
Palladium Group
Closing date: Friday, 10 February 2017

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Interim Associate, Impact Investing

Company Overview

Palladium is a global leader in the design, development and delivery of Positive Impact - the intentional creation of enduring social and economic value. We work with foundations, investors, governments, corporations, communities and civil society to formulate strategies and implement solutions that generate lasting social, environmental and financial benefits.

For the past 50 years, we have been making Positive Impact possible. With a team of more than 2,500 employees operating in 90 plus countries and a global network of more than 35,000 technical experts, Palladium has improved - and is committed to continuing to improve - economies, societies and most importantly, people's lives.

Palladium is a child-safe organisation, and screens applicants for suitability to work with children. We also provide equal employment to all participants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, veteran or marital status.

Project Overview and Role

The Impact Investment pillar, recently established in 2016, relates to two key dimensions, the Seed Fund Proposition and a Development Impact Bond pipeline. The role will be integral to the team focusing on the Seed Fund proposition with the goal of executing direct investments across East/West Africa and Southeast Asia in agriculture, sanitation, health and education

Core Role:

• To support the Impact Investing team as it continues to steam line activities across the wider Palladium group with the goal of executing direct investments;
• To help develop and build the level of Impact Investment knowledge/ consistency of expertise across the wider Palladium group;
• The role will have a direct reporting line to the Impact Investing team, and it will include global collaboration;
• The location of the internship will be Palladium's London office.

Responsibilities

• Assist the evaluation of new direct investment opportunities
  • Review business plans and investment submissions and evaluate according to Palladium's pre-established investment criteria
  • Assist due diligence via direct interaction with company management teams, preparation of due diligence checklists and questionnaires
  • Assist with financial modelling and valuation of prospective investments using company financial projections
  • Assist with macroeconomic and market research relevant to prospective investment opportunities
  • Assist the preparation and presentation of investment committee papers
• Assist the development and mapping of the Impact Investing landscape
  • Participate in calls with potential co-investors for "market sounding"in order to understand industry trends and develop robust network of trusted partners, documenting findings/outcomes
  • Participate in discussions with other industry players (aid agencies, foundations, etc.) in order to build an effective network and collaborate with players across the Impact Investing "value chain"
• Assist the development of the Impact Investment governance structure
  • Assist the continued development of policies and legal frameworks that will governance investment processes (ESG, Investment Policies, etc.)
  • Assist the formation and coordination of investment committee and advisory board members, maintaining databases/minutes etc.
  • Collaborate with Palladium staff in order to develop a robust Monitoring and Evaluation framework for impact investments that adheres to Palladium's theory of social change
• Assist the development and preparation for conferences and events
  • Assist the preparation and coordination of Palladium sponsored Impact Investing events well as the preparation of Palladium speaking engagements related to Impact Investing
• Other ad-hoc responsibilities
  • Assist the scheduling and coordination of team agenda items, taking of minutes and e-filing
  • Assist the collating and of relevant impact investment research papers and articles
  • Maintaining reading lists/libraries and other sources of data
  • Other duties as they may arise

Requirements

Experience and Qualifications

• Practical experience of working across the international impact investing space (not necessarily investing first-hand), with strong preference for a candidate with experience in the emerging markets in which Palladium operates;
• Undergraduate degree in finance, business administration, economics or development
• Currently pursuing a master's of business administration at a top tier business school;
• Fully competent and thorough understanding of financial instruments, and how they work;
• At least 3-5 years of experience from a major/ internationally recognised consultancy firm, venture capital/ private equity firm, recognised global foundation, family office, global NGO, DFI, or M&A financial advisory team in a major bank/ corporation;
• Working knowledge of/ past experience with multilateral, bilateral, and philanthropic partners;
• Experience in emerging/frontier markets is highly desirable

Competencies

• High degree of intuition, emotional intelligence, along with a well-developed cultural sensitivity for working across a multitude of emerging markets;
• Ability to multi-task, work effectively in bid-team environment, with collaboration and teamwork skills (capability to do so globally/ across teams);
• Flexibility to adapt in a quick-paced environment, working across multiple time zones and comfort with ambiguity;
• Independent innovative thinker, creative, and open to trying new approaches;
• Comfortable with public speaking and connecting with varying levels of audience members, including investors;
• Strong written and presentation skills;
• Ability to build lasting business relationships at all levels (including investors/partners/donor clients etc.);
• Willing and able to travel
• Familiarity with the Microsoft Office suite (Excel, PPT, Outlook)

Eligibility to work in the UK without visa sponsorship is required.

Palladium is an equal - opportunities employer, and we encourage applications from groups under-represented in the workforce. We offer a flexible working environment, with tailored opportunities for career and professional development.