Impact Finance Manager

To strengthen our team, we are recruiting an Impact Finance Manager. The Impact Finance Manager will be responsible for investing in private equity impact funds with risk capital (concessional and equity), as well as identifying and evaluating new opportunities. We are looking for a professional experienced in impact investing, fund investing or sustainable finance, combined with a passion for creating social and environmental impact. This role is critical to advancing our goal of enabling third-party investments in the water and sanitation sector.

The ideal candidate has a robust academic background, relevant qualifications along with significant experience and a drive for impact. Experience focusing on low and middle-income countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, MENA and South-Asia is highly preferred.

Result areas

The Impact Finance Manager will lead high-stakes impact finance projects and oversee critical elements of our portfolio management process. This includes representing Aqua for All on Limited Partner Advisory Committees. The Impact Finance Manager will also play a key role in rolling out and enhancing our blended finance solutions offering to financial institutions and asset managers.

The Impact Finance Manager works closely with other units, including the Impact and Knowledge team. Your contributions will directly impact the success of our initiatives, drive measurable social and environmental change, and you will report to the Impact Finance Lead.

Main responsibilities

• Evaluate fund documentation: assess and select the suitable fund manager aligning with our fund investment strategy and impact goals.
• Structure transactions using concessional capital (equity and grants) to achieve impactful outcomes at the fund level (fund investments) and with financial institutions (first loss portfolio guarantees).
• Coordinate due diligence with sector experts, impact specialists, legal and investment advisors.
• Write and present memos for committees: develop memos for the investment committee and portfolio review committee detailing the potential impact of proposed investments.
• Monitor investments: pro-actively oversee investments by representing Aqua for All in Advisory Committees, ensuring alignment with our impact and financial objectives.
• Coordinate portfolio management activities, including monitoring impact and financial performance, risk assessment, and impact reporting.
• Ensure organisational alignment with other departments and team members to assure impact and financial additionality.
• Improve impact finance proposition to attract and retain current and prospective funders of Aqua for All.
• Collaborate with asset owners, e.g. (multi) family offices, corporate foundations, international funds and DFIs to mobilise private capital for initiatives and explore collaboration or funding opportunities for the organisation.
• Engage in networks and partnerships: build and maintain relationships with investors, fund managers, guarantee providers, financial institutions and impact investment networks to attract investments for the water and sanitation sector.

Key competencies

• Analytical ability: Demonstrate strong analytical skills to critically assess complex problems, analyse data, and make informed decisions, contributing to effective problem-solving and strategic planning.
• Creativity: Ability to think creatively and develop innovative solutions to complex problems, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and fresh ideas within the organisation.
• Communication skills: Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, to convey ideas, information, and instructions clearly and effectively to various stakeholders.
• Entrepreneurship: Proactive opportunity identification and pursuing opportunities for programme development and expansion. Demonstrating a keen eye for potential growth areas and emerging trends. Take initiative and drive innovative solutions to address programme challenges.
• Responsibility: Take full ownership of tasks, ensure accuracy and timeliness, demonstrate accountability, and understanding the broader impact of your work on the organisation’s success.
• Customer focus: Display exceptional customer focus by actively listening to needs, providing timely and empathetic support, and foster positive relationships.

Job requirements

• A Bachelor or Master-degree in Economics, Finance and Business-related study.
• 8+ years of relevant working experience.
• Residency in the European Union (preferably the Netherlands).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English (in French is a plus).
• Proven track record of investing in private investment funds, companies or alternative financing vehicles targeting SDG-linked sectors in emerging markets.
• Familiar with impact or philanthropic investment strategies, impact frameworks, ESG, sustainability-related disclosure in the financial services.
• Ability to work independently on deals with fund managers and investors.
• Strong financial background and understanding of financial concepts, language, and ability to communicate with non-finance professionals.
• Bringing a relevant network.

This position is meant to be filled in Q4 2024 and is not suitable for candidates who have recently changed careers or have held a position for less than 6 months with a relevant professional background.

Please send your application with a cover letter (max. 1 page) and CV (max. 2 pages) in English to: [email protected]. For this position you need an EU residence or working permit. The deadline for applications is 6 October. Please mention ‘Impact Finance Manager’ in the subject line of your email.

If you have any questions about the position, please reach out to Aarno Keijzer: [email protected].