Analyst,Early-Stage Finance (ESF)

Job Summary

The Analyst, Early-Stage Finance is responsible for conducting market research and analysis on all aspects of Africa’s early-stage financing ecosystem in support of pillar strategy, programming and communication. This will include research and analysis on early-stage financing demand, supply and enabling environment issues and trends and support to project monitoring, evaluation, and risk management. The Analyst will also develop content to communicate insights, research findings, and project outcomes with both internal and external stakeholders.

Job Details

1.  Market Research & Analysis

Support pillar strategy by conducting market research, managing pillar knowledge and ensuring the availability of high-quality data and information to inform decision-making:

• Collaborate with the pillar team to align pillar research and partnership agenda with FSD Africa’s broader objectives and research priorities.
• Develop a research plan with clear methodologies and timelines, leveraging sources such as industry reports, expert interviews, and databases.
• Conduct regular market research on all aspects of Africa’s early-stage financing ecosystem, including trends, gaps and opportunities, as well as bespoke research priorities as required. 
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of a robust digital knowledge and partnership management system to ensure relevant data is easily accessible and actionable.

2. Programme Development Support

Produce analyses to support the identification and design of pillar programming:

• Collaborate with the ESF team, other pillars/Centre of Excellence and cross-functional teams to understand ESF analysis needs.
• Conduct research and analysis to identify and assess the viability of project opportunities, drawing from a range of sources and adhering to best practices in research methodology.
• Produce insightful research outputs (e.g. databases, reports, position papers, slide decks) tailored to team needs, enabling informed project decisions.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support project proposal development through to project approval, leveraging research and analysis to contribute to new initiatives. 

3. Programme Management Support

Provide support to the ESF team in monitoring, evaluating, and managing ESF projects to ensure successful outcomes:

• Review and analyse implementing partner narrative and financial reports, ensuring alignment with project objectives and tracking development impact and EDI performance metrics.
• Support risk assessment and monitoring processes for all projects, identifying challenges and proposing mitigation strategies.
• Participate in project progress meetings, taking minutes and following up on agreed actions and research as required.
• Support ESF team in management of relationships with implementing partners, external consultants and other stakeholders.
• Assist in enhancing reporting templates, processes and dashboards to improve data collection and decision-making across the pillar.

4. Communications & Content Development

Develop content to communicate insights, research findings, and project outcomes both internally and externally:

• Support the pillar team in the creation of blogs, reports, slide decks and other materials to share key insights on the early-stage financing ecosystem and highlight the pillar’s work.
• Contribute to the creation of knowledge-sharing materials for dissemination to internal and external stakeholders.

Carry out any other duties or special assignments as assigned by Management.

COMPETENCIES
Competencies describe the key behaviours that drive success in all of FSD Africa’s roles, regardless of technical specialism. They have been derived from systematic research correlating performance with personal attributes. 

Competency Levels 

• Level 1: Basic
• Level 2: Foundation   
• Level 3: Specialist
• Level 4: Senior Specialist      
• Level 5: Leading Expert          
• Level 6: Executive

This position requires competency at Basic Level for all the competencies listed below:

ESSENTIAL FOUNDATIONS
Commitment & Alignment
Demonstrates commitment to serving our partners and alignment with the values and vision of FSD Africa
Change & Challenge
Has a strong sense of ownership that leads to learning, self-starting, taking initiative, driving change and leading development
ACHIEVEMENT COMPETENCIES
Situational Awareness & Thinking
Thinks clearly and intentionally, analysing information objectively, understanding issues, solving problems, and making decisions
Drive for results
Is keenly motivated to achieve goals & act with accountability to deliver quality results
PEOPLE COMPETENCIES
Relationships & Collaboration
Discerns and appreciates the values, viewpoints, or abilities of others; effectively reconciles different interests and displays emotional intelligence
Communication & Influencing
Deliberately adjusts behaviour to accommodate others; communicates clearly, confidently, and appropriately to influence others.

Requirements

Qualifications and Education 

• Bachelor’s Degree in relevant subject and 2 years of experience or Higher Diploma in relevant subject with 3 years of experience 
• Excellent skills in written and spoken English 

 Essential Experience, Knowledge, and Skills 

• At least 1 year of experience as an Analyst conducting market research and analysis.
• Demonstrated knowledge in Africa’s early-stage financing, including supply, demand and trends.
• Track record of effective project management with experience of using relevant tools or trackers 
• Solid understanding of good research practice with a track record of undertaking quality research, analysing and processing data effectively, evaluation and report production 
• Excellent skills in both written and spoken English; demonstrating good attention to detail with grammar, spelling and writing style that will appeal to key stakeholders 
• Good understanding of principles of effective communications with a track record of quality materials development, including in Word and Powerpoint
• Team player: ability to work effectively with colleagues across the organisation 
• Knowledge and skill in relevant ICT programmes, including MS Office 

 Desirable 

• Experience of working in a multi-cultural environment 
• Knowledge of donor policies and procedures 
• Previous experience of working in FCDO-funded projects  
• Languages: French, local African languages 

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity: 

FSD Africa is committed to building a diverse organization and a climate of equity and inclusivity.  We strongly encourage applications from candidates who can demonstrate that they can contribute to this goal.

Equal Opportunity Employer: 

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability status. We will ensure that all applicants are provided a fair chance to compete for available job opportunities.

About Company

FSD Africa

https://fsdafrica.org/

FSD Africa is a specialist development agency working to help make finance work for Africa’s future. Based in Nairobi, FSD Africa’s team of financial sector experts work alongside governments, business leaders, regulators, and policymakers to design and build ambitious programmes that make financial markets work better for everyone. FSD Africa Investments, provides early-stage, risk-bearing, catalytic and patient capital to inventive commercial organisations in order to stimulate capital flows in support of green economic growth benefiting people and planet. Established in 2012, FSD Africa is incorporated as a non-profit company limited by guarantee in Kenya. It is funded by UK aid from the UK government.