Overview

Banyan Global is an international development consulting firm committed to improving livelihoods through market approaches for a broad and lasting impact. The firm is headquartered in Washington, DC with staff working in a number of developing countries. Banyan Global operates seamlessly within six practice areas: finance and investment, enterprise development, health, gender, youth, and evaluation and learning.

The United States International Development Finance Corporation's (DFC) is the United States’ recently formed development bank. DFC invests with the private sector across sectors to finance solutions in the developing world. In sub-Saharan Africa, DFC’s goal is to increase private capital investment as a foreign policy and development priority. Leveraging recently expanded tools and increased authorities, DFC is looking to significantly expand its current exposure in sub-Saharan Africa through investments in commercial transactions. 

Banyan Global is recruiting for an Africa Investment Advisor (AIA) that will collaborate with DFC to originate, structure and monitor investments. The investment advisors will be based out of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia with regional coverage to include Djibouti, Eritrea, Somalia, Sudan, and South Sudan.

Duties of the AIA

Transaction Origination: The AIA shall identify and pre-screen transaction opportunities for all DFC product lines in his/her respective geographic area. This includes but is not limited to:

• Conducting business development meetings with potential project sponsors, developers, financiers, and other relevant parties for the purpose of introducing the product offerings and funding criteria of DFC and identifying potential transaction opportunities for DFC.
• Reviewing project information documents such as teasers, pitch books, information memoranda, and financial opportunities.
• Statements to vet and evaluate project opportunities.
• Following up on potential transaction opportunities identified by US Government agencies, including USAID, State Department, Department of Commerce, as requested by the DFC, to determine suitability for DFC involvement.
• The collection, completion, and verification of project information to assist DFC with evaluating or screening the project.
• Assisting with DFC Screening Committee documentation, as needed.
• Entering transaction details of all pre-screened opportunities on the Transaction Pipeline Tracker.

Due Diligence Support: The AIA shall assist with transaction execution for all DFC product lines for transactions within his/her geographic area that have been retained but have not yet reached financial close, as identified by the COR. This includes but is not limited to:

• Assisting in the collection, completion, and/or verification of due diligence information relating to a transaction required for DFC's Credit Committee, Investment Committee and/or required to reach financial close.
• Monitoring and reporting on applicable policy or legislation changes that may affect the transaction.
• Assisting DFC officers on due diligence.
• Assisting with the verification of conditions precedent to reach financial close.
• Entering the details of all supported transactions on the Transaction Pipeline Tracker.
• Transactions approved by DFC, including by applicable Credit and Investment Committees, that the AIA played a material role in supporting, as determined by the COR, will be considered Transactions Diligence by the AIA.

Performance Monitoring Support: The AIA shall assist with post-execution performance monitoring transaction support for all DFC product lines for transactions that have reached financial close within their GCA. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Assisting with the collection, completion, and/or verification of post-financial close transaction performance and/or development impact.
• Monitoring and reporting on applicable policy or legislation changes that may affect the transaction.
• Assisting with the verification of conditions subsequent needed to authorize subsequent disbursements.
• Entering the details of all supported transactions the Transaction Pipeline Tracker.

Field Presence Support:  assisting with the field presence support for their geographic area.  This includes, but is not limited to:

• Training local, inter-agency Embassy staff, including the Prosper Africa or State Department deal team(s), on DFC products, eligibility criteria, and relevant strategic priorities to educate staff on how to identify financing opportunities for DFC in the GCA.
• Participating in regular meetings with local Embassy staff and other relevant US Government officials, including the Prosper Africa deal team(s), to discuss DFC transaction opportunities in the GCA.
• Participating and/or presenting at events, conferences, or Embassy-convened meetings relevant to DFC business in the GCA.
• Present or provide relevant updates and input on DFC transactions as requested by the DFC.
• Monitoring and reporting changes in law, policy, or economic climate relevant to DFC transactions in the geographic area.
• Assisting with travel and meeting logistics for senior-level DFC personnel traveling to the geographic area, as required.
• Entering the details of all supported transactions supported on the Transaction Pipeline Tracker

Travel: Approximately 50% of the time.

Qualifications

• Minimum of five (5) years full-time work experience in investment banking, financial advisory, insurance underwriting, financial services development finance, private equity or development finance related consulting.
• At least three (3) years with focus on emerging markets with two (2) years in sub-Saharan Africa.
• Experience in project structuring and corporate and project finance; and financial modeling.
• Existing and extensive network of professional contacts in sub-Saharan Africa.
• Track record originating, leading and closing investment transactions
• Fluency in English required.
• Ability to write high-level reports. Excellent organizational, analytical, oral and written communications skill
• Strong analytical and communication skills.
• Accredited university degree.
• Ability to travel regularly during the duration of the contract
• Ability to obtain facility access to the US embassy or consulate