WAYS YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE

We are seeking a Senior Counsel to join our team and play a pivotal role in the build out of ACIF. The position offers the opportunity to shape, monitor and add value to direct investments in African champions and to support intermediated investments, including fund commitments, and co-investments. The Senior Counsel will also work with the broader ACIF team to develop creative investment products and structures to catalyze external capital in furtherance of our impact objectives. As a core team member, you will be instrumental in shaping the future of ACIF, the clients and companies, and the African youth we serve. More specific responsibilities include:

Structuring investments and due diligence:

Working with the deal teams to assess investment opportunities, both direct andintermediated, from a legal perspective

Working with the deal teams to develop term sheets for direct and intermediated investments that align with the Foundation legal requirements and Canadian charity regulations

Leading and overseeing third party legal due diligence and structuring of direct investments; identifying and mitigating key legal risks associated with these investments; ensuring all relevant legal issues are captured and addressed appropriately; and working with external counsel, deal team members and counterparties to ensure efficient closure of investments

Leading legal due diligence and structuring of fund commitments, including assessment of fund structures; reviewing, assessing and negotiating LPAs and side letters; ensuring Foundation legal requirements are met and incorporated

Reviewing co-investment opportunities and in particular, assessing and amending structures to comply with Foundation requirements; working with GP partners on legal due diligence and documentation of co-investments with the support of external counsel

Working with deal teams on value creation plans, management incentive plans, and technical assistance plans from a legal perspective as part of investment theses for prospective investments

Work seamlessly with deal teams to evaluate and execute investment opportunities

Instrument and structure development

Working with internal legal and fund operations colleagues on appropriate structures for ACIF investments, within the context of its unique regulatory issues

Working with the ACIF team to create new investment structures in furtherance of the Foundation mandate and ACIF strategy

Liaising with internal legal colleagues and the Mastercard Foundation Asset Management company to keep abreast of legal and regulatory matters relevant to ACIF

Investment Monitoring and exits

Ensuring full compliance of ACIF’s investments with Foundation legal requirements and regulatory conditions

Supporting portfolio companies or fund managers on occasion as appropriate

Supporting deal teams in executing value creation initiatives for portfolio companies, from a legal perspective

Working with deal teams and portfolio companies on negotiating and executing exits of portfolio companies, including evaluating company exit readiness and developing mitigation plans; evaluating vendor legal due diligence providers; contracting advisors; evaluating non-binding offers; negotiating transaction documentation and working with advisors on completion

WHO YOU ARE

Education & Experience

Over 15 years of experience in M&A and/or corporate finance legal work, either at a law firm, financial institution or in-house.

English law (or commonwealth equivalent) qualified.

Experience in ESG / SRI / impact investing a plus.

Experience in philanthropy and Canadian charity law will be an added advantage.

Experience transaction execution in Africa.

Skills

Demonstrated and long-term experience evaluating, structuring, negotiating and documenting M&A or private equity/credit investments in multiple markets across Africa.

Experience in sectors such as agribusiness, manufacturing, FMCG, retail, healthcare and education partiularly valued.

Experience working in or with private equity or impact investment firms.

Understanding of impact investment fundamentals, key drivers of major African markets, and how to structure investments appropriately in African markets.

Strong influencing skills and an ability to negotiate and engage with a multitude of stakeholders and personalities.

Excellent networks across legal and financial institutions across African markets.

Research skills and an aptitude to keep current on industry trends and developments.

Flexible, adaptable, and able to manage changing priorities in a fast-paced environment; Comfort with ambiguity and uncertainty.

Strong leadership, organizational and analytical skills, drafting and negotiation skills.

Strong interpersonal and listening skills and is open and receptive to feedback.

Proven excellence in verbal, written, and presentation skills with the ability to articulate information to various constituents across cultures and distill complex. information and data into accessible conversation and written pieces.

Values

Professional maturity, sensitivity with different cultures, and impeccable integrity that exemplify the Foundation’s values.

Team player; philosophy of collaboration and championing impact goals to colleagues, funds and portfolio companies.

A partnership approach to working with management teams, co-workers, co-investors and other counteparties.

Demonstrate a commitment to Mastercard Foundation’s values and vision.