IFU - Investment fund for developing countries invests together with and provides advice to Danish companies in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe. Investments are made on commercial terms in the form of share capital and loans to the project companies, and the purpose is to promote economic and social development in the investment countries. On average, IFU contracts investments of around DKK 600m annually in 40 - 50 project companies. IFU’s head office is located in Copenhagen, and we currently have regional offices in China, India, South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, Egypt and Colombia.
IFU - Investment fund for developing countries in Copenhagen is currently looking to employ a new investment director to participate in and develop IFU's activities in Nigeria and West Africa in general.
The position is located in Lagos, Nigeria and will be part of the virtual team for West Africa together with team members based in Ghana and Denmark.
We are recruiting to fill the position of:
Job Title: Investment Director
Location: Lagos
Job Description
- The candidate will be recruited as Investment Director and will together with the Senior Investment Manager in Accra and the Regional Director based in Copenhagen be one of three professional investment staff focusing exclusively on the West Africa Region.
- Globally IFU has 30 investment professionals all characterized by the ability to work independently, drawing on the vast experience and knowledge shared across the organisation. It is essential to be an active part of the strong cooperation within the virtual teams around regions and funds managed by IFU.
- The Investment Director in Nigeria and the Senior Investment Manager in Ghana both report to the Regional Director, West Africa (covering the region from a base in Copenhagen), and all three are part of IFU's virtual West Africa team, together with two other colleagues from the head office in Copenhagen.
- The duty station will be in Lagos in a new regional office either located together with the Danish Trade Council or together with another strategic partner.
Responsibilities and Tasks
- As an Investment Director in IFU, you will become part of an international environment working with the entire chain of actions related to new investments and management of portfolio companies in collaboration with your colleagues working around the world.
- Especially for the investment professionals working out of the regional offices, there is a responsibility for providing potentially interested Danish companies with advice and insights regarding investment opportunities in Nigeria and West Africa in general on location.
The tasks of the Investment Director Include:
Identifying investment opportunities:
- Identify and develop new business opportunities in Nigeria and in West Africa in general.
- Actively promote potential new projects.
- Stay updated on relevant information related to the investment climate (political, financial, environmental, human rights and legislation) primarily in West Africa (particular focus on Nigeria) and also in Denmark.
- Actively participate in marketing activities to promote IFU investments
- Disseminate knowledge about IFU and IFU managed funds through active contact to Danish companies, as well as relevant stakeholders and target segments including PE funds, other DFIs, etc.
- Participate in seminars and meetings.
Assessment of potential projects:
- Participate in or conduct due diligence on potential projects (with regard to finance, sustainability, management and other key IFU values) applying strong analytical skills.
- Prepare and test financial projections..
- Assist in structuring concrete project companies together with relevant partners and take active part in the deal structuring and management of the transaction.
- Elaborate project appraisals and recommendations for IFU’s Investment Committee and the Board with regard to new investments and additional investments in existing portfolio companies.
Closing the deal:
- Negotiate and finalise concrete deals including legal and other aspects with support from in-house and external experts.
- Lead or participate in several investments simultaneously
- Investment management
- Provide active support and guidance to IFU's portfolio companies.
- Build and maintain a close and constructive relationship with IFU's partners in the investments.
- Provide strong contribution to resolving problematic issues arising in the portfolio companies during the time of IFU's investment.
- Possibly become a member of the board of directors representing IFU in a number of portfolio companies, depending on experience and board composition.
Exiting the portfolio company:
- Review and assess optimal exit timing.
- Negotiate and execute IFU's exit from the portfolio companies.
The position involves travelling in West Africa, primarily Nigeria, as well as visiting business partners in Denmark - approximately 40 to 50 days per year.
Education and Experience
- The ideal candidate has a master’s degree in Economics, Finance, Business Administration or related fields. Additional formal education that would further qualify candidates, but are not a pre-condition, includes an MBA.
- Combined with the educational background the candidate must have solid experience working in Nigeria in the areas of investments, finance, accounting and contracting - as well as being equipped with strong financial flair and sound judgement, preferably demonstrated by a proven positive track record.
- In addition it is necessary to have in-depth knowledge and experience from working with investments in Nigeria and West Africa in general, as well as have a broad business network in the region, particular in Nigeria.
- These competences and experiences may preferably have been acquired from working in an international finance/investment organisation, working with global business development or from working in a large international company.
- The candidate should ideally be fluent in English and French - both in writing and spoken. Fluency in English is a prerequisite. Lastly, candidates must be confident using Microsoft Office, especially Excel and PowerPoint.
Personal Competences
- Working as an Investment Director in IFU entails creating and developing networks with potentially interested partners both in Denmark and in Nigeria as well as in the West African region in general.
- Spotting opportunities, creating enthusiasm among partners, critically appraising possible investments and being able to close the deal, are key parameters and are all tasks that demand candidates who are extrovert, communicative, engaged and creative combined with sensitivity towards the different cultural settings in the region and the corporate culture in IFU.
- It is therefore essential that the candidate has excellent communication skills as well as talent for and interest in creating and maintaining good relations with a wide range of partners in order to engage in new investment projects as well as sustain good relations with the portfolio companies.
- To succeed the candidate must be openly committed and at the same time be able to apply his/her strong analytical skills in validating the projects in a strictly professional manner. Candidates should be self-confident and independent and at the same time be able to engage with others as part of a team.
- The position demands a great deal of independence, and the right candidate thrives with this independence and is motivated by the great opportunities this offers and by the ability to influence the work.
- The key to success is that the candidate fully understands, agrees with and commits to IFU's high ethical principles in all aspects of its business, be it internally in the organisation or in managing relationships with investment partners, government authorities and other stakeholders. Strong personal integrity and credibility are at the heart of IFU's core values.
Remuneration Package
The employment agreement is on local terms and consists of a base pay + pension + variable pay depending on performance.
Application Closing Date
Monday the 20th April, 2015 at 12 noon CET.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should send their application and CV to:
[email protected] (reference Investment Director, Nigeria).
Initial interviews will be carried out on
22, 23 and 24 April 2015 in Lagos.
For further information about the position or the procedures, please contact Regional Director West Africa, Henrik Henriksen on tel. +45 33 63 75 00 or
[email protected] .