Senior Investment Advisory Officer

About Us AECF (Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund) is a leading non-profit development organization supporting innovative agribusiness and renewable energy enterprises to reduce rural poverty, promote resilient communities, and create jobs. We catalyze the private sector by surfacing and commercializing new ideas, business models, and technologies designed to increase agricultural productivity, improve farmer incomes, expand clean energy access, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improve resilience to the effects of climate change. We finance high-risk businesses that struggle to access commercial funding. We are committed to working in frontier markets, fragile contexts, and high-risk economies where few mainstream financing institutions dare to go. Over 17 years, we have supported 536 businesses in 27 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, impacted more than 36 million lives, created over 35,000 direct jobs, and leveraged US$840 million in matching funds. The Role AECF Advisory supports SMEs and agribusinesses to unlock growth by enhancing their investment readiness and facilitating access to finance. Recognizing the intertwined nature of strengthening businesses and connecting them to capital providers, AECF Advisory is expanding its investment facilitation and portfolio management activities. As the pipeline and portfolio of companies continue to grow, complexity, and geographic reach, there is an increasing need for specialized expertise in managing diverse financial instruments and providing high-quality investment advisory support. The Investment Advisory Officer will bridge two critical functions: preparing businesses for investment and facilitating successful transactions with investors, DFIs, and commercial capital providers. The role holder will be responsible for managing and supporting a portfolio of investee companies across multiple financial instruments, ensuring optimal performance, compliance with investment terms, and value creation. Acting as the key link between AECF Advisory and its investee companies, the officer will provide strategic, financial, and operational advisory services, conduct ongoing monitoring and analysis, and contribute to the structuring and execution of new investments, driving measurable impact and returns. The role will report to the Head of Advisory Services. Key Responsibilities Conduct diagnostics and needs assessments of SMEs to determine gaps in governance, finance, operations, and strategy. Design and deliver tailored Technical Assistance (TA) interventions to strengthen business capacity. Support SMEs in developing investment documentation: pitch decks, financial models, and information memoranda. Build SMEs’ capacity in investor engagement, negotiations, and compliance with due diligence requirements. Categorize SMEs into investment readiness levels and track progress over time. Map and maintain a database of investors, DFIs, banks, and blended finance facilities relevant to SMEs. Match SMEs with appropriate financing partners based on their stage, sector, and financing needs. Support transaction processes, including term sheet negotiations, deal structuring, and documentation review. Facilitate introductions and coordinate investor roadshows, pitch events, and bilateral meetings. Provide deal advisory support to ensure alignment between SME needs and investor requirements. Integrate blended finance solutions and de-risking instruments where appropriate. Monitor post-investment outcomes and feed lessons back into program design. Contribute to knowledge generation: case studies, success stories, and lessons learned from transactions. Support the design of strategic partnerships with capital providers and ecosystem actors. Pipeline building and deal origination, including recommending debt restructuring strategies. Managing a portfolio of companies with various financial instruments. Suitable candidates should: Possess a bachelor's degree in finance, economics, business administration, accounting, or a related field. A master’s degree or professional qualifications such as CFA/CPA/ACCA is an added advantage. Have a minimum of five (5) years of experience in origination, due diligence, structuring, and monitoring of corporate and/or consumer finance-related commercial/philanthropic private financing (debt, equity, or risk guarantee). Have a proven track record of managing or advising on portfolios involving multiple financial instruments (equity, debt, quasi-equity, grants). Possess a strong background in transaction advisory, including financial models, valuation, preparation of investor pitch materials, and term negotiations. Have established networks with investors, DFIs, and commercial banks. Possess excellent analytical, negotiation, and communication skills. Have experience working in frontier/agribusiness/renewable energy markets. Have an understanding of investment structuring, due diligence processes, and portfolio monitoring. Possess familiarity with SME finance, blended finance, and impact investing principles.

The AECF is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will be considered based on merit without regard to race, sex, colour, national origin, religion, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. AECF does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, meeting, processing, training, or any other fees). If you believe you can clearly demonstrate your abilities to meet the relevant criteria for the role, register and apply on:[ https://recruitment.aecfafrica.org ](https://recruitment.aecfafrica.org/). To be considered, your application must be received by: 6th October 2025. For more information, please visit our careers page on [www.aecfafrica.org](http://www.aecfafrica.org/) Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.