Head of Investment Operations & Enterprise Sourcing

The Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund (AECF) is seeking a seasoned investment professional to lead its Investment Operations function as Head of Investment Operations & Enterprise Sourcing. This is a senior leadership role that sits at the heart of AECF's ability to identify, evaluate, and deploy capital to high-impact enterprises across Sub-Saharan Africa. The position serves as the centre of excellence for AECF's investments portfolio, owning the frameworks, systems, and analytical capabilities that underpin the full deal lifecycle.

Reporting to the Director of Programs and working in close collaboration with Sector Leads in Agribusiness and Energy, the Head of Investment Operations ensures that investment decisions are made with quality, consistency, and speed. This role demands a rare combination of investment rigour, operational excellence, and systems thinking — ideal for a professional who thrives at the intersection of finance, strategy, and execution in a development finance or impact investing context.

• Lead enterprise sourcing competitions end-to-end including design, marketing, application management, scoring, and shortlisting — ensuring integrity, quality, and efficiency throughout.
• Continuously refine competition design using yield data, applicant quality metrics, and conversion rates to build stronger, more decision-ready pipelines each cycle.
• Develop and steward complementary sourcing channels through proactive outreach, ecosystem partnerships, and co-investor referrals to reduce pipeline dependency on competition cycles alone.
• Manage the sourcing infrastructure including CRM platforms, pipeline tracking systems, marketing campaigns, and application management tools.
• Provide financial modelling, structuring expertise, and analytical capacity that deal teams draw upon during due diligence and structuring phases.
• Act as a thought partner and constructive challenger to Sector Leads, bringing investment rigour to deal shaping without owning investment decisions.
• Build deep analytical capability within the investment operations team to serve both the energy and agribusiness sectors as a shared resource.
• Serve as process owner for the Investment Committee: manage scheduling, agenda preparation, memo quality assurance, and tracking of conditions precedent.
• Ensure all Investment Committee submissions meet decision-readiness standards and manage post-IC documentation and conditions tracking.
• Own portfolio analytics, performance dashboards, and data infrastructure that make portfolio performance visible, accurate, and comparable across sectors.
• Lead systems automation and digitisation initiatives that improve speed, transparency, and efficiency across the investment lifecycle.
• Identify portfolio-wide patterns, risks, and opportunities through cross-sector data analysis to inform strategic decision-making.

• Demonstrate at least 10 years of progressive experience in investment operations, development finance, private equity, venture capital, or impact investing — with at least 3 years in a leadership or team management capacity.
• Execute end-to-end financial modelling and investment analysis across early-stage or growth enterprises, including structuring debt, equity, or blended finance instruments.
• Design and manage competitive sourcing or grant/investment call processes at scale, with measurable improvements in pipeline quality and conversion.
• Build and manage CRM and pipeline tracking systems, demonstrating proficiency in translating data into actionable investment insights.
• Operate effectively as a process steward for governance bodies such as Investment Committees — drafting memos, managing agendas, and tracking conditions precedent to closure.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of analysts or associates, fostering a culture of analytical rigour and continuous improvement.
• Communicate complex financial and operational information clearly to senior stakeholders, sector leads, and board-level audiences.
• Hold a Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, Business Administration, or a related field; a postgraduate qualification (MBA, CFA, ACCA, or equivalent) is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrate experience working in or alongside NGOs, DFIs, foundations, or impact-focused investment vehicles in Sub-Saharan Africa.

AECF offers a competitive remuneration package commensurate with the seniority of the role and the organisation's NGO/INGO compensation framework. The estimated monthly gross salary for this position ranges from KES 400,000 to KES 650,000, reflecting the executive-level nature of the responsibilities. The package is expected to include comprehensive medical cover, performance-based incentives, and professional development support aligned with AECF's staff welfare policies.

Ideal candidate: You are a senior investment professional with deep experience in impact investing, development finance, or private equity across African markets. You understand both the discipline of investment analysis and the operational rigour required to run high-quality processes at scale. You are equally comfortable building systems, coaching analysts, and challenging sector leads on deal quality. You bring a genuine commitment to enterprise development in Africa and thrive in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.

Who should NOT apply: This role is not suited for candidates with fewer than 8 years of relevant investment or finance experience, those without exposure to deal structuring or investment committee governance, or individuals seeking primarily a portfolio management or pure fund management role without an operational mandate. Candidates without prior experience working in NGO, DFI, or impact investing contexts may find the organisational culture and accountability structures a significant adjustment.

• Prepare an updated CV (maximum 4 pages) highlighting relevant investment operations, sourcing, and financial analysis experience.
• Write a concise cover letter (1 page) addressing why you are the right fit for this specific role at AECF and your experience managing investment processes at scale.
• Submit your application through AECF's official careers portal or the job platform where this posting was listed.
• Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an initial screening interview, followed by a technical assessment and panel interview with AECF leadership.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. AECF is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion.