The project is a multi-donor fund of funds that addresses financing and capacity challenges related to food systems by providing catalytic capital to Investment Vehicles (IVs) that will lend to, or invest in, agrifood-SMEs across Africa. ImpactSF is the impact and learning partner to deliver significant outcomes in climate resilience, food security, and improved livelihoods by mobilizing capital for underserved agrifood-SMEs. The facility will deploy $70 Million in 8 to 10 underlying funds in Africa for sustainable financing of the food and agriculture sectors with a robust monitoring framework ensuring that investments are both effective and impactful. Through targeted support and Technical Assistance (TA), IVs will be equipped with the tools they need to achieve their impact objectives.

The Role and Responsibilities

The role involves developing the backbone of the Impact Measurement and Management framework and coordinating and contributing to data collection, analysis, and reporting of investment impact on three impact themes: climate & environment, food security & nutrition, and local value creation & income. Additionally, you will lead due diligence and develop impact estimates for new investments in collaboration with the investments team. You will lead TA efforts to enhance IVs’ impact thesis and identify relevant Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). You will also contribute to improving IVs’ monitoring and evaluation (M&E) processes, including data collection, monitoring, and reporting of impacts across agrifood-SME investments. You will work closely with the ESG team to identify and monitor associated risks and opportunities for each investment. You will be the point person engaging with stakeholders along the investment lifecycle. The ideal candidate will be proficient in data management and project management, with the ability to interpret both basic and complex data analysis concepts confidently.

Impact Measurement and Management (IMM) Framework

• Lead the design and implementation of the IMM (both investments and for Technical Assistance); the theory of change, the measurement plan, and the relevant policies and processes.
• Develop and implement impact tools, screening, due-diligence, assessments, and report templates and guidance across the portfolio of IVs.
• Ensure the IMM stays in line with industry standards and expectations.

Due Diligence & Investments

• Develop and manage relationships with key stakeholders, including fund managers, agrifood SMEs, and partner organizations.
• Coordinate with the investment and TA teams for the effective implementation of the pre- and post-investment impact assessments.
• Contribute to the evaluation of investment proposals, including via investment and impact memos.
• Review and recommend suggestions for the impact and other relevant sections of TA concept notes.

Monitoring and Reporting

• Build synergies and consistency across data collection and reporting in specialist areas.
• Lead the production of annual and other reports on impact monitoring and analysis.
• Support investees in their impact data management and understanding in alignment with impact reporting needs to assist in integrating the process better into their existing systems.

Impact Studies

• Lead the design of impact studies from a technical perspective with support from specialists and the investment team.
• Draft annual impact reports in alignment with sustainable finance regulations.
• Ensure the appropriate level of rigor is met for all impact studies.

Impact Communications

• Coordinate the communication of our investment and TA impact to various stakeholders through briefs, research reports, case studies, conference presentations, and workshops.

Capacity Building

• Post-investment, work with investees to improve their IMM, policies, and procedures, including impact data collection and monitoring.
• Coordinate ongoing support to IVs to improve their capacity in mainstreaming impact and gender equality in their investment process.
• Facilitate necessary external capacity-building initiatives.

Project Management

• Ensure that impact activities and goals are delivered on time and within budget each year.
• Manage the contracts of any impact-related consultants or contracted parties.

Requirements

Essential Requirements

• Master’s degree in a relevant field such as Agriculture, Environmental Science, Economics, or Business Administration.
• Previous experience with impact investing (preferable minimum 5 years).
• Proven track record of successfully designing and implementing impact management frameworks.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in impact measurement and management tools.
• Knowledge of sustainable agricultural practices and food security issues.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a diverse and multicultural environment.
• Strong project and team management skills.
• Demonstrated understanding and experience in implementing and adhering to SFDR and other sustainable finance regulations, particularly experience in monitoring and reporting PAIs.
• Demonstrated understanding of leading impact and reporting standards and frameworks for investors (e.g., IFC Performance Standards, IRIS+, Equator Principles, Impact Management Platform, World Bank’s EHS Guidelines) and their practical application in the fund manager context.
• Demonstrable knowledge and experience in ESG risk measurement and management.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage and prioritise a busy and diverse workload with a range of deliverables for a variety of stakeholders.
• High degree of fluency in both written and spoken English and French.
• Strong PowerPoint and Excel skills.
• Highly motivated and results-driven, taking responsibility and full ownership of projects.
• Good judgment and attention to detail.

Desirable Requirements

• Experience working in Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Experience in the agrifood sector.
• Familiarity with TA projects and their application in tandem with investment strategies.