Specialist Innovation Investments

About the role

Karandaaz Pakistan (KRN) is a non-profit organisation funded by the FCDO and the Gates Foundation, working to strengthen financial and digital ecosystems. Its Innovation Investments (II) unit runs the Innovation Challenge Fund, Women Ventures and the Green Challenge Fund. The Specialist will lead new product development and pipeline origination for the II portfolio, lead the GreenFin Innovations (GFI) line and support the scale-up of Women Ventures.

Key responsibilities

• Build and maintain a deal pipeline aligned with programme strategy, investment thresholds and budget, and develop innovative financing facilities including concept notes.
• Lead market outreach, lead generation and screening of prospective investees and partners.
• Conduct initial due diligence and business/financial analysis, and prepare a Development Impact Dashboard for each transaction.
• Support clients with management accounts, financial projections, pitch decks and collateral documents, and support Investment Panel and Advisory Committee processes.
• Negotiate and draft term sheets, contracts and financing agreements with implementing partners.
• Monitor portfolio performance against KPIs, report to the CEO and Board, and provide technical assistance to investees.
• Manage service providers and implement partners, and coordinate with Research, Marketing, Development Impact, Finance, Risk and Internal Audit.
• Bid for new funding opportunities and contribute lessons learned to strategy and policy.

Required profile

• Minimum Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance or a related field; a professional qualification such as CFA is a competitive advantage.
• At least 6 years of relevant experience in investment design and management, and credit/portfolio management.
• Demonstrated experience in climate and/or human development finance.
• Ability to travel to different locations in Pakistan as required.

Required skills

• Deal origination and pipeline development.
• Financial analysis, due diligence and investment structuring (primarily credit).
• Contract negotiation and management.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and stakeholder management.