As a member of the Finance for Growth project team, the Investment Officer will conduct analysis and provide recommendations to the Investment Committee on investment proposals/business plans submitted by micro enterprises conducting project activities. The Officer will also monitor the performance of micro enterprises that will be given a grant and or loan.

Key Responsibilities
I. Investment Process and PorBolio Management

Preparation of investment proposal/business plan applications for recommendations to the investment committee and or bank/microfinance institution.
Organize and facilitate key program activities related to project implementation, investment process, grants and portfolio management, technical assistance to financial institutions and capacity building to MSMEs.
Provide targeted technical credit and investment support to the Fund Manager. This includes reviewing, screening of applicants identified by the fund manager in accordance with the eligibility criteria, review of feasibility studies, collection of relevant data to enhance business plans and confirm project bankability, technical due diligence, market assessment, financial advisory services, and project finance transaction structuring.
Interact with key stakeholders (financial service providers, regulators, policymakers, implementing partners) and participate in activities to promote Finance for Growth activities resulting in a project pipeline and/or strategic partnerships.
Provide implementation support for the development of project proposals for financing and co-financing in accordance with the investment policies and procedures.
Support the establishment of co-financing relationships with financial institutions and equity investors; nurture relationships and manage activities needed to secure co-financing of supported investments/grantees.
Proactively monitor the performance of SMEs supported under the project to ensure compliance with the investment policies and signed grant agreements by conducting site visits and reviewing grantees’ performance reports.
Establish and maintain an effective and efficient project and portfolio monitoring system, providing regular feedback on the project performance, and regularly updating issue and risks logs.

II. Organization and facilitation of key project actviies

Facilitate and coordinate provision of technical assistance to financial service providers in discussions and negotiations with banks, investors, and other stakeholders.
Conduct field missions to the project sites, to meet, interview and gather pertinent data and information from potential implementing partners, (regulators, financial service providers, policymakers) and other relevant stakeholders to assess and establish the requirements of the technical assistance to be provided by this project.
Facilitate the required technical studies under guidance by engaging the consultants, local authorities, and communities as appropriate, including the development of Terms of Reference (ToRs) that reflect technical assistance requirements.
Provide specialist input to and ensure that the Technical Program is responsive to the needs of financial service providers.
Support and ensure timely delivery of Technical Assistance Programs.

Support and ensure the implementation of the Program’s stakeholder mobilization and communication plan and organize and coordinate outreach activities with a variety of stakeholders, including professional associations.

III. Capacity building and knowledge management

Support the project capacity building and training program, ensuring program knowledge generation and dissemination, including support to the development of business management tools and toolkits, case studies, briefs, research documents, and client impact evaluations.
Conduct field missions to the project sites, to meet, interview and gather pertinent data and information from potential implementing partners, (regulators, policymakers, financial service providers) and other relevant stakeholders to assess and establish the requirements of the technical assistance to be provided by this project.
Provide specialist input and ensure application of the processes and tools to facilitate the transfer of knowledge, training, and scaling up of the project, building the capacity of regulators, policymakers and MSMEs.
Support and ensure timely delivery of training programs.
Support and ensure the implementation of the project’s stakeholder mobilization and communication plan, as well as organize and coordinate outreach activities with a variety of stakeholders, including Civil Society Organizations.
Develop and implement tools and programs for knowledge building, transfer and sharing.

IV. Project Management and Resource Mobilization

Establish and maintain an effective and efficient project monitoring system providing regular feedback on the project performance and regularly updating issues and risk logs.
Ensure timely delivery of key results and budget as assigned by the supervisor.
Ensure timely planning, budgeting, and reporting in accordance with the FSDT and EU guidelines.
Exercise financial management of the project, including timely submission of requests for disbursement of funds and other forms.
Support the procurement processes in accordance with policies and procedures (development of ToRs, evaluation of proposals, pre-contracting) in liaison with the Finance and Administration Team- Procurement Unit.

Role Requirements
Qualifications:

Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, supplemented with relevant credit/investment/financial analysis experience.
Post graduate degree in Business Administration, Finance, Banking, or related fields (added advantage).

Relevant Experience:

10+ years post-graduation experience in banking and finance; ideally involving credit and risk assessment, SME project financing and microfinance operations.
Evidence of having conducted proposal evaluation, financial analysis, credit review and credit portfolio management, and MSME capacity building programs.
Experience working with Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.
Strong understanding of Credit Management Cycle, Portfolio Management and SME Capacity Building.
Strong facilitation, communication, collaboration, and leadership skills.
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing in English and Kiswahili.
Computer proficiency, including working knowledge of MS Office products, capacity in webbased management tools.
Presentation and communication skills; including good written and spoken English and Swahili.
Personal Characteristics
Commitment & Drive for Results:

You have values and personal ambitions that are aligned with FSDT’s goals to support the financial sector to offer inclusive and sustainable financial solutions.

Initiative & Decisiveness
You have a strong sense of ownership: taking personal responsibility for work, the impact we are seeking, and the achievement of critical higher-level goals. You are proactive in seeking out information or resources necessary for success, and you’re able to overcome problems or obstacles with a ‘can-do” attitude.

Learning & Innovation
You continually improve your skills and knowledge and role-model a personal commitment to professional development. You are quick to recognise opportunities or new ideas and make use of them in your own work; and you respond to a new situation, or tough feedback, by learning, adapting, and improving.