Overview

Since 1963 and in 148 countries, ACDI/VOCA has empowered people in developing and transitional nations to succeed in the global economy. Based in Washington, D.C., ACDI/VOCA is a nonprofit international development organization that designs and delivers technical and management solutions in agriculture, economic growth, and resilience to promote economic prosperity and social inclusion. Beyond our competitive compensation, full array of insurances, generous 401(k) plan, parental leave, commuter subsidy, career development, we also offer a vibrant, friendly, diverse, inclusive, passionate, and inspiring work environment.

The Director will join the Catalyzing Investment Team in the Technical Learning and Application Division within ACDI/VOCA. In this role, the Director will provide technical support across the ACDI/VOCA Group (ACDI/VOCA, Tanager, and AV Ventures) to increase access to, and facilitate usage of, financial services in our global initiatives, projects, and proposals. This person will join a dynamic group exploring the frontiers of impact investing, blended finance, and innovative finance. The Catalyzing Investment team provides technical support to projects with a value of over $150M and impact investing fund management oversight of over $40M of Assets Under Management.

This position will support two mutually reinforcing work streams: the blended finance impact funds managed by AV Ventures (AVV) LLC (ACDI/VOCA’s investment management subsidiary), and ACDI/VOCA’s financial services and investment facilitation work in the Catalyzing Investment Team. This is in recognition of ACDI/VOCA’s commitment to promoting innovative finance and financial inclusion through the combined impact of AVV and ACDI/VOCA, where AVV's investment activities leverage ACDI/VOCA's development programs, and ACDI/VOCA programs leverage the investment capacity of AV Ventures.

Duties and responsibilities will fall under four categories that reinforce the goal of combined impact:

1. guidance and oversight of AVVs’ local investment management efforts and teams (40%).
2. project-level technical support (approximately 20%).
3. new business development and design, especially at the intersection of blended finance and investment facilitation (approximately 25%).
4. organization-wide learning, tool development, and other related initiatives (approximately 15%).

The position will report to Sr. Vice President, Catalyzing Investment.

• Master’s degree required in business administration, finance, economics, international development, or related field.
• Minimum of seven (7) years’ experience, including overseas work, in finance, investment, and/or international development required, plus two (2) years of managerial.
• Ability and willingness to travel internationally required; may be required to be fully vaccinated against Covid 19 based on country requirements.

The salary range for this position is $93,036 to $120,827; the candidate’s relevant experience and skills, as well as our internal equity, will be considered before an offer is extended.

Responsibilities

Provide guidance and oversight of AV Ventures’ local investment management efforts (40%)

• Lead Home Office support for one or more of AVV’s fund management efforts in Ghana, Kenya, Central Asia, and Burkina Faso. Activities may include but are not limited to oversight of pipeline building, review of investment memos and financial models, due diligence, Investment Committee approval process, and portfolio monitoring.
• Provide oversight and guidance to one or more of AVV local teams.
• Support AVV funds with financial analysis at investee and portfolio/fund levels.
• Contribute to fundraising efforts with potential Limited partner investors for one or more future AVV funds.
• Develop and refine impact measurement frameworks for AVV impact funds.

Project Technical Support (20%)

• Act as a technical resource for supporting increased usage of appropriate financing into projects.
• Provide as-needed technical support to the financial services and investment facilitation components and work streams on projects. Tasks will vary but may include financial systems or investment landscape analyses, engaging and structuring partnerships with key financial sector partners (banks, MFIs, investment funds, non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs), fintechs, etc.), value chain financing assessments, and identifying activities to improve access for women.
• Provide technical guidance to projects via annual work planning, deliverable review, and edits, and informing appropriate monitoring, evaluation, and learning approaches.
• Support Finance or Investment leads on projects, helping to develop Access to finance pilots and initiatives.

Business Development (25%)

• Provide, or oversee the provision of, technical guidance and/or quality control to proposals and project design, particularly regarding sections relevant to financial services and investment facilitation.
• Act as technical lead/writer or subject matter expert for proposals, providing technical leadership on all matters related to financial services throughout the proposal process, including partner identification and recruitment.
• Identify opportunities and develop concept notes and pitch materials for new funders of blended finance, first loss capital and technical assistance sidecar facilities, for joint initiatives of AVV and ACDI/VOCA.
• Identify and meet with other organizations/donors on possible new funding activities and/or partnerships related to financial services, investment facilitation, inclusive market systems, and other relevant technical topics.

Technical Learning and Collaboration (15%)

• Promote learning and collaboration across the organization and with project offices through the identification of learning needs/opportunities related to financial services and investment facilitation, and supporting and/or leading the development, standardization, and rollout of tools and learning products.
• Participate in relevant ACDI/VOCA Community of Practices.
• Contribute to the development of resources, research, and learning themes prioritized by the Catalyzing Investment Team.
• Actively seek out opportunities to share technical knowledge.
• Solicit feedback from other groups, including the field, and suggest effective ways to work together.
• Respond to technical needs from practice areas, project staff, and others.
• Promote ACDI/VOCA Group’s image as a learning organization by participating in and presenting at international, domestic, and local meetings, webinars, workshops, and conferences.

Additional Duties

• Support and enhance the company's culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion and align with our corporate values by treating others with respect and congeniality.
• Host or attend meetings in person as needed, when required.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty listed satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required; reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Master’s degree required in business administration, finance, economics, international development, or related field.
• Minimum of seven (7) years’ experience, including overseas work, in finance, investment, and/or international development required, plus two (2) years of managerial.
• Strong financial analysis skills required.
• Fluency in English required. Fluency in another language such as Russian, French, or Spanish is also preferred.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English required (with the ability to write in another language such as Russian, French, or Spanish preferred).
• Ability and willingness to travel internationally required; may be required to be fully vaccinated against Covid 19 based on country requirements.
• Significant work experience in private equity or investment strongly preferred.
• Experience with financial modeling strongly preferred.
• Financial certifications (e.g. CFA) preferred.
• Strong interpersonal and team skills, with ability to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures and embrace innovation and creative thinking.
• Demonstrated leadership and team building skills, particularly leading cross-departmental and international groups.
• Experience with multi-media applications, Power Point and other Microsoft programs.
• Must be available during core business hours and/or operating hours for international time differences; flexibility to work more hours when needed.
• Flexibility to work in office based on work demands.
• Must adhere to our company's Health Safety Code of Conduct and demonstrate the organization's commitment to sustaining a healthy and safe work environment.