Investment Assistant
Somo
Quick Take
Support entrepreneurs through loan applications, manage portfolio data, track repayments, and maintain financial records for a social enterprise lending programme.
Strong attention to detail with financial data, ability to communicate with entrepreneurs and internal teams, and foundational knowledge of financial statements and credit assessment.
Entry-level position in impact investing with exposure to SME financing, competitive social enterprise salary, and hands-on mentorship from an established accelerator in Kenya's entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Job Description
Somo is a dynamic business accelerator dedicated to empowering social entrepreneurs who are transforming low-income communities across Kenya. Through a blend of funding, business training, market access, and tailored mentorship, Somo invests in community-led enterprises that drive lasting economic change.
As an Investment Assistant, you will sit at the heart of Somo's lending and portfolio management operations. You will work closely with entrepreneurs navigating the loan application journey, ensure data integrity across the investment portfolio, and help maintain the financial health of Somo's investment pipeline. This is an exciting entry-level opportunity for a detail-oriented finance professional who is passionate about impact investing and supporting small business growth.
- Guide entrepreneurs through the end-to-end loan application process, ensuring all documentation requirements are met before submission.
- Collect, organise, and verify financial and business information submitted by applicants for loan assessment purposes.
- Accurately capture financial and business data into portfolio management systems, maintaining high standards of data integrity.
- Monitor loan repayment schedules and proactively follow up with borrowers via calls, messages, or in-person business visits.
- Prepare timely repayment status updates, performance dashboards, and portfolio reports for internal stakeholders.
- Maintain well-organised digital loan records to support compliance, audit readiness, and donor reporting requirements.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with programme teams to share business insights and contribute to financial literacy initiatives.
- Provide administrative support including scheduling loan assessments, coordinating meetings, and preparing investment committee documentation.
- Demonstrate foundational knowledge of financial statements, cash flow analysis, and basic credit assessment principles.
- Communicate clearly and professionally in both written and verbal formats with entrepreneurs, colleagues, and stakeholders.
- Apply strong attention to detail when capturing, verifying, and managing financial data across multiple records.
- Manage competing priorities effectively, meeting deadlines in a fast-paced programme environment.
- Use portfolio management tools, spreadsheets, or CRM systems to track loans and generate reports.
- Work collaboratively within a team while maintaining personal accountability and professional integrity.
- Diploma or Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field.
- Prior exposure to working with entrepreneurs, SMEs, or microfinance clients is a strong added advantage.
Somo offers a competitive compensation package aligned with the social enterprise sector. The estimated monthly salary for this role ranges between KES 40,000 – KES 70,000, commensurate with qualifications and experience. Additional benefits typical within Somo's operating environment may include professional development opportunities, a collaborative mission-driven work culture, and exposure to impact investing frameworks.
Ideal candidates are recent graduates or early-career finance professionals who are passionate about social entrepreneurship and community development. You thrive in structured environments, are highly organised, and find purpose in supporting small business owners to access capital. You are comfortable working with numbers, enjoy client-facing interactions, and can handle sensitive financial information with discretion.
Do not apply if you are looking for a purely desk-bound corporate finance role with no community engagement, if you have a very low tolerance for field-based follow-ups and direct entrepreneur interaction, or if you require prior experience to be considered as a minimum threshold — this role is open to motivated diploma and degree holders at the start of their career.
Interested and qualified candidates should submit their applications through Somo's official recruitment channel or the job platform where this posting is listed. Ensure your CV clearly highlights your academic background, any relevant finance or SME experience, and a brief cover letter explaining your interest in supporting social entrepreneurs. Applications close on 22nd June 2026 — early submission is strongly encouraged. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Requirements Breakdown
Must Have
- Diploma or Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, Accounting, Business Administration, or related field
- Foundational knowledge of financial statements, cash flow analysis, and basic credit assessment
- Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain data integrity across multiple records
- Proficiency with spreadsheets, portfolio management tools, or CRM systems
- Professional written and verbal communication skills in English
Nice to Have
- Prior exposure to working with entrepreneurs, SMEs, or microfinance clients
- Experience with loan portfolio management or credit assessment
- Familiarity with Kenyan SME financing landscape or rural business operations
- Experience coordinating meetings or managing administrative workflows
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Salary Context
Competitive entry-level salary for social enterprise sector in Nairobi
The KES 40,000–70,000 range reflects typical entry-level finance roles in Kenya's impact investing and microfinance space. Pay within the band typically depends on degree level (diploma vs. bachelor's), prior SME or microfinance exposure, and communication skills. Social enterprises often pay slightly below traditional corporate finance roles but offer steeper learning curves and mission-driven work.
About Somo
Somo is a social enterprise accelerator focused on funding and supporting entrepreneurs in low-income Kenyan communities through a combination of grants, concessional loans, business training, and tailored mentorship. The organisation sits at the intersection of development finance and entrepreneurship, working to catalyse sustainable economic transformation at grassroots level. For a finance professional early in their career, Somo offers direct exposure to credit assessment, portfolio management, and the real-world challenges of SME lending in emerging markets.
Likely Interview Questions
- 1
Walk us through your understanding of cash flow analysis and why it matters when assessing a small business loan application.
- 2
Describe a time you had to verify complex or disorganised data. How did you approach it, and what systems did you put in place?
- 3
How would you handle a situation where a borrower misses a repayment? What steps would you take and how would you communicate with them?
- 4
What interests you about working in impact investing or with social entrepreneurs, and how does that align with your career goals?
- 5
Tell us about your experience (or lack thereof) with portfolio management tools or CRMs. How quickly do you typically pick up new software?
Application Tips
Highlight any experience with SMEs, microfinance, or credit assessment—even if informal (e.g., family business exposure, university projects on small business financing).
Emphasise your track record of attention to detail: give a concrete example of spotting errors in data, cleaning spreadsheets, or ensuring compliance with documentation requirements.
Demonstrate your passion for impact: mention why you're drawn to social enterprise or entrepreneurs in underserved communities, and show you understand Somo's mission beyond just the salary.
Career Path
Roles that lead here
Where this leads
Skills & Keywords
Honest Assessment
Green Flags
- Clear, detailed role description with specific daily responsibilities—you'll know exactly what to expect from day one.
- Entry-level positioning with emphasis on mentorship and learning: ideal for someone starting a career in finance or impact investing.
- Mission-driven organisation working directly with underserved entrepreneurs; strong sense of purpose and tangible impact on Kenyan communities.
- Salary range posted upfront, allowing candidates to self-assess fit; no salary negotiation ambiguity.
Watch Out
- Job description cuts off mid-sentence when describing benefits ('Additional b…')—clarify what health insurance, leave, or other perks are included before accepting.
- No mention of work location specifics (fully in-office, hybrid, or field-based). Given the role involves 'in-person business visits' to borrowers, confirm the flexibility and travel requirements expected.
A Day in the Life
Your week at Somo blends office-based portfolio work with field engagement. Monday mornings involve attending the investment committee meeting to present repayment status dashboards and flag at-risk loans. Mid-week, you spend a day visiting 3–4 borrowers across Nairobi to collect repayment updates, conduct spot checks on business operations, and offer informal financial literacy support. The rest of your time is split between capturing new loan applications into the portfolio system, following up with entrepreneurs on missing documentation, preparing monthly performance reports in Excel, and coordinating with programme officers to cross-check borrower insights before assessment. You'll field phone and text follow-ups from borrowers about repayment schedules, troubleshoot data entry errors, and prepare meeting agendas for loan assessments.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifications do I need to be an Investment Assistant at Somo?
You need a Diploma or Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field, plus foundational knowledge of financial statements and cash flow analysis. Prior exposure to SMEs or microfinance is a strong advantage but not mandatory for entry-level candidates.
Is the Investment Assistant role at Somo remote or office-based?
The role is based in Nairobi and includes in-person business visits to borrower sites for repayment monitoring and assessments. The job description does not specify a fully remote option, so expect a mix of office and field work.
How much does an Investment Assistant earn at Somo?
The salary range is KES 40,000–70,000 per month, commensurate with your qualifications and experience. This is competitive for entry-level finance roles in Kenya's social enterprise sector.
What are the career growth opportunities from this role?
This is an entry-level stepping stone to roles like Investment Officer, Loan Officer, or Credit Analyst within Somo or other financial institutions. You'll gain hands-on credit assessment, portfolio management, and entrepreneur engagement skills that are highly transferable in Kenya's fintech and microfinance sectors.
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