Head of Impact Investing

Nexus provides innovative and affordable financing solutions to local SMEs and social enterprises that provide renewable energy, clean water, improved waste, and sustainable agriculture solutions to low-income households and underserved communities across Southeast Asia. We are based in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and collaborate with partners in the region and around the world to create and deploy innovative financing tools to scale locally driven solutions.  

Since our founding in 2009 by an alliance of development organizations, our expertise has evolved to offer a range of technical and financial services that support the growth and impact of our partners. We offer a niche suite of professional services including carbon finance, fund management, innovative finance, and capacity-building. As an employer, we offer continuous learning and professional development to all of our staff, regardless of seniority.  

To achieve our mission, Nexus engages with key local and international actors including:  

• Development practitioners (social enterprises, NGOs)  
• Private sectors companies and corporates, investors and donors  
• Researchers, policy makers and international standards and associations 

POSITION DESCRIPTION  

Through various debt financing vehicles, Nexus aims to scale technologies that offer both climate-positive impacts and social benefits to marginalised communities across Southeast Asia. The diverse enterprises we work with deliver everything from solar mini-grids to clean cooking devices to regenerative farming technologies that improve the lives of their customers. We support these early to growth stage social enterprises by providing affordable, flexible and unsecured debt in the “missing middle”, typically inaccessible to SMEs in emerging markets.  

Nexus seeks a dynamic and driven Head of Impact Investing to manage, improve, and grow its portfolio of innovative impact and pilot funds, with a primary focus on Nexus’ largest fund, the Pioneer Facility, a multi-million dollar fund with key investments from global funders including the UN.  

The Head of Impact Investing’s role is five-fold: 1) deal cycle management, 2) reporting and administration, 3) relationship management, 4) strategy ideation and business development, and 5) team management.  

The Head of Impact Investing reports to the Executive Director and the Pioneer Facility Board of Directors and will lead a team of 2-3 investment analysts. S/he will also work closely with the finance and operations team on reporting and post-investment monitoring and with the marketing team on innovative marketing strategies that drive potential leads and growth.  

The selected candidate will play a significant role in shaping the future of impact investing at Nexus. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

DEAL CYCLE MANAGEMENT 

• Sourcing: Identify relevant investment and networking opportunities that fit fund investment criteria, with a focus on investments for the Pioneer Facility.  
• Origination: Through active sourcing and developed leads, make assessment and pre-qualification of potential investees. The Head of Impact Investing is expected to be able to conduct preliminary risk assessments independently.  
• Due Diligence: Lead the financial due diligence on projects sourced for the various funds. Work with Investment Analysts to deliver full due diligence reports to be presented to Investment Committee for approval.  
• Contracting and Documentation: Negotiate loan contracts with investees.  
• Portfolio Management: Work with the operations team to ensure timely payments and report submissions.  
• Standardization of Processes: Continuously review existing processes, forms and templates to ensure that risks are properly flagged and mitigated, payments are on time, and deals progress as efficiently as possible.  
• Risk Management: Resolve issues with specific deals in a timely manner as and when they occur.  
• Skills Development: Share best practices and financial knowledge with the team and encourage skills and knowledge sharing within Nexus.  

REPORTING AND ADMINISTRATION 

• Regular Reporting: Work with the impact investing and operations teams on periodic reporting requirements to investors and donors. Analyse portfolio performance and share results and findings. 
• Other Reporting Requirements: Coordinate with the Pioneer Facility auditors, administrator, investors and other stakeholders. 

RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT 

Grow Nexus’ network of potential investees, co-financiers, and funders, with a focus on pipeline development and fundraising for the Pioneer Facility.  

• Investment Committees: Liaise with the ICs of Nexus’ various funds not only on specific investments but also on fund strategy, opportunities, and challenges.  
• Pipeline Development: Promote the Pioneer Facility and Nexus’ other activities via different avenues including active outreach to impactful, commercially-viable enterprises and expanding Nexus’ network of potential co-investors and financing partners, as well as regional incubators and accelerators.  
• Fundraising: Actively identify potential investors or funding opportunities for the Pioneer Facility and coordinate with Nexus colleagues on business development and fundraising efforts. Coordinate on fundraising efforts for the Pioneer Facility.  

STRATEGY IDEATION AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT 

Ensure that the financial products we offer best suit the needs of both Nexus’ target sectors and potential funders.  

• Pioneer Facility Strategy: Work to implement and continue to develop the Pioneer Facility’s strategy. The Head of Impact Investing is expected to take ownership of the fund financial model and should be able to confidently run various scenarios.  
• Impact Investing KPIs: Take charge of finance and impact KPI setting for the various funds and assist the team in setting and achieving their own individual targets. Ensure that activities within the impact investing team align with Nexus’ overall objectives.  
• Business Development: Stay updated on sector trends and new financing mechanisms in the region. Proactively search for new opportunities (funds, investments, partners) that align with Nexus’ mission and overall objectives.  

TEAM MANAGEMENT AND CULTURE BUILDING  

• Lead, counsel, train, and advocate for team of impact investing employees; create a best-in-class and desirable work environment  
• Oversee recruitment of new staff, as necessary, to scale the team to successfully execute against our goals 
• Bring positive energy to the office and support team members in their ongoing professional development  

KEY REQUIREMENTS 

Competitive candidates will have: 

• At least 5 years of relevant investment experience in the impact investing, SME lending, venture capital, social finance and/or investment banking sectors.   
• Experience with growth stage start-ups in emerging and frontier markets a plus.  
• Strong interest in impact investing. Up to date on available financing mechanisms and trends in development finance and start-up investing.  
• Proven ability to take deals through the full investment cycle – origination, due diligence, structuring, contracting, and post-investment management.  
• Strong financial modelling skills – able to independently build, review, and stress-test models and explain key results.  
• Demonstrated experience in project management. Detail-oriented with high standard of performance.   
• Track record of business development and relationship management, ideally with an established network in Asia.  
• Self-motivated, driven, and able to work effectively with a high degree of autonomy in a lean, start-up environment.  
• Practical experience leading a team or business unit in impact investing is a plus. 
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills – able to confidently work with a multi-disciplinary and impact-driven team and liaise with investees and co-investors.  
• A degree in finance, business management, economics or a related field; MBA or CFA is an asset.   
• Fluent in English, both verbal and written; knowledge of other regional languages is a plus.  

THE OPPORTUNITY OFFERS 

• Wide ranging experience in a flexible and dynamic environment.  
• Exposure to impactful enterprises, VCs and other early stage and/or impact investors, and development partners in Asia  
• Opportunity to guide an impact fund and help promising, young enterprises to navigate through “grow-up” financing 

POSITION SUMMARY 

• Role Title: 
• Head of Impact Investing 
• Location: 
• Phnom Penh, Cambodia; regional travel expected. 
• Reporting to: 
• Executive Director 
• Direct reports: 
• Investment Analysts 
• Term: 
• Unspecified duration, contract under Cambodian law. Minimum commitment of two years requested.  
• Remuneration package: 
• Negotiable; employee benefits include 40 days’ annual leave (including public holidays), training allowance, health insurance, annual flight home for international staff 
• Start Date: 

ASAP 

HOW TO APPLY 

Please submit your application at www.nexusfordevelopment.org/career Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until April 30, 2024. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply. 

Benefits

Level of Language Proficiency