Job Description

Our mission and objectives

• British International Investment is the UK\'s development finance institution, owned by the UK Government. We invest with the aim of solving the biggest global development challenges by investing patient, flexible capital to support private sector growth and innovation.
• We have over 75 years of experience successfully supporting the sustainable, long-term growth of businesses in Africa and Asia, and have recently expanded to invest in the Indo-Pacific and Caribbean.
• We invest to achieve impact and a financial return which is then reinvested for more impact. Over the past five years, we have committed almost \xc2\xa37 billion of new investments, with our net assets growing in value to approximately \xc2\xa37.7 billion. We are now invested in 1,200 businesses which directly employ over 900,000 workers and support many more. Over the next five years, we plan to grow further, and aim to commit around \xc2\xa39 billion of new investments over the period.
• Our new five-year strategy responds to the opportunities and challenges facing developing and emerging economies. To ensure our capital is used in the best way possible to meet these opportunities and challenges, it sets out three clear strategic objectives - to invest in productive, sustainable and inclusive development. These objectives mean an increased focus on climate finance, including investing in green infrastructure; on financing digital transformation; and on driving inclusive outcomes, including through gender and diversity finance.
• We changed our name to British International Investment in 2022, to more accurately reflect our central role in the UK Government\'s international financing offer.
• In the last few years, we have expanded our presence in Africa and Asia by opening new offices in Bangladesh, Egypt, Kenya, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Ghana and Singapore; with additional locations opening soon.
• We take an entrepreneurial approach to investment. We think innovatively about ways to deploy our capital, attract, and mobilise other investors, and drive transformational impact.
• Deliver impact. We are a growing team of over 500 and place immense value on diversity within our organisation.
• Read more about us and the new strategy at

BII\'s investment activities are organised across 3 principal groups:

• Financial Services Group - this group oversees our investment activity via financial institutions and into financial services companies (further detail provided below).
• Infrastructure and Climate Group - this group oversees our investment activity in energy sectors and wider infrastructure sectors such as transport. They also develop our capability in climate-focused investing.
• Industries, Technology and Services Group - this group oversees our investment activity in other sectors including manufacturing, telecommunications and agriculture.

Team and role overview

• The Financial Services Group (FSG) plays a key role in contributing towards inclusive development, including filling the SME financing gap and supporting the inclusion of significant numbers of people that remain unbanked, particularly women. With the full product suite within one department - from fund investing to providing equity, debt and trade finance - the group decides how to invest BII\'s capital into (digital) financial services for the most impact.

Within FSG, the Financial Services (FS) Funds team has been mandated to take an innovative and pioneering approach to development investing which focuses on:

• Funds - Investing in and managing a portfolio of private equity funds, which invest in the financial services sector, including fintech / digital financial services.
• Co-investments - Investing in underlying portfolio companies alongside the funds we have invested in.
• Alternative vehicles - Setting up alternative vehicles (e.g. single managed accounts, side-cars) with mission-aligned, best-in-class strategic and financial partners.
• Platforms - Establishing BII-backed companies that invest in or lend to SMEs (e.g. Project Oxen Ghana, Project Oxen Zambia).

The FS Funds team works closely with other investment teams across BII. It is also able to access BII\'s Catalyst Funds programme, which allows the team to accept higher risk to achieve particular impact objectives across some of the hardest markets in BII\'s mandate. This includes investments that would benefit excluded or underserved groups, addressing financing gaps or market failures, and supporting innovative business models with strong developmental outcomes.

Responsibilities

Specific responsibilities will be driven by priorities and needs of the team at the time, but are expected to include some or all of the following:

• Support in evaluating new investment opportunities with the objective of selecting partners with the highest potential for financial returns and development impact.
• Research on trends and innovations in the financial services sector across BII\'s target geographies
• Portfolio management responsibilities, including supporting the active monitoring of the financial performance and development impact of the investments and their compliance with BII\'s investment policy.
• Maintain up-to-date market knowledge and relationships.
• Prepare presentations to support team strategy and BII\'s brand building with stakeholders.

Evaluating (and creating, where applicable) new investment opportunities:

• Research specific sub-sectors, countries and regions as a part of any ongoing strategy and mapping exercises.
• Support in the selection of investment opportunities which will meet BII\'s financial, development and mobilisation objectives under its mandate.
• Support (in conjunction with partners) the creation of alternative vehicles and platforms to deliver BII\'s objectives, including the design of vehicle strategies, building/hiring of management teams, establishment of key governance functions (Board/IC) and mobilisation of third-party capital.
• Review investment proposals, prepare investment committee papers and support in the due diligence process.
• Ensure incorporation of BII\'s Policy on Responsible Investing, ESG matters and legal requirements.
• Review all aspects of commitment agreements, assist in the commercial and legal negotiation process.
• Coordinate with fund managers, pipeline companies and other investors to drive investment approvals and closings.

Monitoring investment performance and compliance

• Support in the active engagement with fund managers, portfolio companies and other investors related to portfolio issues and ongoing monitoring.
• Monitor investments through quarterly financial information, (advisory) board meetings, and regular dialogue with fund managers and other investors.
• Support senior staff in the management of underperformance and/or non-compliance at fund manager level or portfolio company-level, including in relation to ESG standards.
• Portfolio analysis under the guidance and supervision of senior colleagues.
• Assist in the monitoring of impact including liaising with the ESG and Development Impact teams.

Maintaining up-to-date market knowledge

• Support building an effective network in the financial services sector.
• Develop expertise on investment climate and conditions in BII\'s target geographies.
• Specifically, develop and maintain views on economic, political and social conditions in markets where BII\'s fund managers operate or potentially wish to invest.

The candidate

Background, skills, aptitude

• University degree in finance, economics, corporate finance accounting, or other relevant degree. MBA, CFA or ACA would be an additional advantage.
• Strong relevant experience within investment management, banking or management consulting with exposure to origination and structuring of financial services investments.
• Basic understanding of the financial services sector and drivers of different types of business models.
• Experience within emerging markets would be an additional advantage.
• A genuine affinity for developmental objectives, evidenced by personal interests and career decisions (e.g., volunteering, career changes due to changing motivations).

Technical Skills

• Financial modelling and analytical abilities related to company financials and valuation.
• Ability to pro-actively research, analyse and present (written / oral) relevant and concise information for decision making.
• Understanding and comfort with emerging market environments.
• Appreciation of the role of ESG and impact in the day-to-day investment decision-making process.

Fund assessment skills would be an additional advantage, namely:

• Ability to analyse and benchmark fund / investment performance data.
• Familiarity with some of fund due diligence processes and fund legal terms.

Experience in setting up investment vehicles would be also be additional advantage.

Personal skills

• Teamwork: Collaboration with own team and the larger employee community.
• Results focus: Drive to achieve outcomes/results.
• Personal effectiveness: Organising self/teams to meet agreed deadlines efficiently.
• Influencing/persuading: Ability to obtain agreement and cooperation in a \'win-win\' fashion.

Our cultural values

We look for team members who aspire, as we do, to work at our best and to be:

• Impact-led, commercially rigorous.
• Tenacious in the face of challenges.
• Collaborative and caring.

British International Investment is committed to diversity and inclusion and welcomes all applicants regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation or educational background.

British International Investment