Associate - West Africa at CrossBoundary Group

CrossBoundary Group is a mission-driven investment and advisory firm that unlocks the power of capital for sustainable growth and strong returns in underserved markets. CrossBoundary Advisory has advised on over US$700 million of closed transactions in underserved markets across a broad range of impactful sectors, including agriculture, health, education, manufacturing, ICT, infrastructure, and clean power. Our investment platforms, CrossBoundary Energy, CrossBoundary Energy Access, and CrossBoundary Educational Infrastructure, directly finance projects to bring cheaper, cleaner, and more reliable electricity, as well as education infrastructure, to developing countries

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Associate - West Africa

Location: Lagos
Employment Type: Full-time
Category: Financial Advisory Associate
Experience: Mid Level

Job Summary

• We are recruiting an Associate to work to build and develop a pipeline of investment opportunities for DFIs (the client) in both countries.
• We seek candidates with an interest in and an understanding of underserved markets in Africa, and preferably with experience in Sierra Leone and/or Liberia. The job will require significant amount of travel between the two countries.  

Primary Responsibilities

• Build and maintain a strong network of contacts in public and private sectors in Sierra Leone and Liberia, and with potential investors to facilitate economic activity
• Serve as the principal point of contact in prospecting the local market and building a pipeline of financeable deals
• Transaction Origination: The Associate shall identify and pre-screen transaction opportunities for DFIs. 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 client DFIs and identifying potential transaction opportunities
  • Reviewing project information documents such as teasers, pitch books, information memoranda, and financial statements to vet and evaluate project opportunities
  • The collection, completion, and verification of project information to assist DFIs with evaluating or screening the project and filling in of project summary sheets
  • Assisting with DFIs Screening Committee documentation, as needed
• Support selected companies to reach investment readiness by providing technical assistance
  • For a restricted list of companies, the Associate will identify technical assistance needs
  • For a restricted list of companies, the Associate may be required to provide direct technical assistance, in the form of completing financial models, assessing organizational, financial and ESG performance and providing recommendations, etc.
• Due Diligence Support: The Associate shall assist client DFIs with transaction execution. 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 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 DFIs’ 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
• Field Presence Support: This includes, but is not limited to:
  • Engaging with client DFIs officers to provide insights on relevant companies, markets, country developments, etc.
  • Participating and/or presenting at events, conferences, and meetings relevant to client DFIs
  • Monitoring and reporting changes in law, policy, or economic climate relevant to potential transactions

Required Qualifications
The ideal candidate will have the following skills and qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited university.
• A minimum of three (3) years of full-time relevant work experience, working in investment banking, financial advisory, insurance underwriting, project development, development finance, project finance, financial services or development finance-related consulting, or private equity.
• A strong familiarity with underserved African markets required, and with Sierra Leone and Liberia preferred
• Strong written and oral communications skills
• Expertise in project structuring and corporate and project finance; and financial modelling capability.
• Proficiency in MS Office.
• Demonstrated experience working independently with minimal supervision and interest and commitment to international development.
• Existing and extensive network of professional contacts in sub-Saharan Africa.

Application Closing Date
31st March, 2023.