Africa & Middle East Region Head – Private Credit – Financial Institutions & Fintech

About the job

Africa & Middle East Region Head – Private Credit – Financial Institutions & Fintech

Introduction:

Do you want to make a difference and contribute to creating a better world? Are you interested in developing your skills and knowledge, while putting your ideals to work? Join us, we are a frontrunner in global impact investing, and need people like you to make change happen.

 

DWM is at the forefront of a global effort to create investible solutions to meet the social and financial needs of the developing world. DWM structures transactions that open doors to the international capital markets for inclusive financial institutions and other socially positive organizations. To date, DWM has led or advised on more than USD 2.0 billion worth of transactions across emerging and frontier markets of capital raised for socially positive investments. The DWM team has deep experience in investment banking and emerging markets investing, as well as a passionate interest shared with their clients in the social goals served by their transactions. For more information please visit our website: http://www.dwmarkets.com.

 

Title:

Region Head – Africa & Middle East – Financial Institutions & Fintech

 

Reporting Line:

Head of Private Credit

 

The Role:

You will join Developing World Markets’ (DWM) Private Debt team and have responsibility for the strategic planning, transaction, and team development activities of the Africa & Middle East (AME) region. The role calls for an experienced professional who can operate as both player and coach. Core activities include participating, and leading a small team, in the marketing, originating, structuring, due diligence, and on-going monitoring of financial institutions and fintech transactions.

 

Player

• The AME Region Head is responsible for establishing the strategic plan for the region in a way that is consistent with the risk-, return-, and impact-objectives of DWM’s various private debt fund investment mandates.
• In fulfillment of that plan, the AME Region Head will lead and manage the resources of a regional transaction team presently composed of 2.5 FTE.
• In addition to directing the work of the regional team, the AME Region Head will also work on his/her own select transactions within the traditional inclusive finance institution (IFIN) lending area, as well as areas defined within DWM’s “New Sectors” initiative.
• Traditional IFIN LendingDWM’s primary sector focus is traditional, brick & mortar specialty finance companies, including micro- and small-business lenders, SME lenders, and leasing and factoring companies.
• New Sector Lending
• To a lesser, although increasing important extent, DWM seeks to originate, structure, and close (a) higher-yielding transactions in its traditional space and (b) extend its private debt activities into new areas as part of a “New Sectors” initiative. Emphasis is currently being placed on Fintech, but may also come to encompass renewables, agribusiness, sustainable infrastructure, or other impactful sectors. The AME Region Head will form part of an internal working group focused on the development an execution of the Private Debt team’s New Sectors initiative. As a member of this working group, the AME Region Head will be expected to support:
• Strategic framework development
• Marketing collateral development that can be included in DWM presentations meant to build investor demand for lending into new lending strategies
• Elaboration of underwriting standards and frameworks for new impact sectors, as needed
• Execution of already-established calling plan for AME region (in respect of Fintech and select other multi-sector opportunities)
• Origination and execution of new bankable lending opportunities in relevant new sector lending areas in AME and potentially other regions (note: as an optimization strategy, we will be regionally-agnostic in respect of deal team formation).

Coach

• The AME region is currently supported by 2.5 FTE, and the AME Region Head will have responsibility for maintaining a high-performing regional investment team, including motivating team members, delegating tasks and responsibilities, communicating effectively, resolving any conflicts that arise, and contributing to team members’ professional development.

Responsibilities:

• Leverage existing network to market DWM’s lending capabilities across the region within various forums (existing borrowers, new borrowers via reference and cold-calling, independent research, industry conferences, etc.)
• Manage the regional team and mentor and develop fellow colleagues
• Manage the existing regional portfolio, including regular borrower contact and performance evaluation, as well as coordinate workout and restructuring activity related to any problem credits
• Lead regional origination activities across multiple channels: (a) Directs, (b) Co-Lending/Syndications, (c) PE Sponsors, and (d) Secondaries
• Evaluate the suitability of investment opportunities based on financial strength and alignment with DWM’s fund management criteria and managing the associated information flow
• Prepare/Review credit Eligibility Memoranda for consideration by funds advised and managed by DWM
• Prepare/Review and negotiate term sheets
• Manage team resources to ensure that internal databases with market- and deal-specific information are kept accurate and up-to-date
• Ensure team effectively carries out DWM’s due diligence strategy and lead on-site, as well as remote, due diligence processes
• Prepare/Review investment proposals for consideration by internal and external credit committees
• Direct others/Liaise directly with DWM’s Risk team in the normal course of the investment process and during periodic regional reviews
• Liaise with DWM’s Legal team in the preparation of transaction documentation, including loan agreements, guaranty agreements, legal opinions, and various other documentation elements related to the closing and disbursement processes
• Represent DWM at regional conferences or within investor-specific settings (e.g., regional business field trips)
• Proactive assistance on investment monitoring, impact reporting and market research
• Special projects on an ad hoc basis

Travel

Periodic travel to the region will be required (up to 4 times per year)

 

What We Expect:

• Master’s degree / CFA, with relevant coursework in economics, finance and/or accounting
• 10+years of experience in commercial or investment banking, corporate finance, asset management, preferably in connection with emerging markets, international development, and/or socially responsible investing
• Experience leading transactions from origination to closing
• Transaction experience in financial institutions required; complementary skill set in corporate lending, structured finance and / or project finance highly desirable
• Network and relationships to potential investees across AME
• Demonstrated capacity of leading and developing a team of investment experience
• Significant financial and credit analysis skills, strategic and creative thinking abilities
• Strong written and oral communications skills, and proactive communication style
• A strong work ethic, and an ability to learn quickly, manage multiple high priority projects and work effectively both as an individual and as part of a team
• Problem-solving skills mixed with a can-do attitude suited to a small firm culture
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office
• Professional demeanor and outgoing personality with strong interpersonal skills
• Written and spoken fluency in English is required
• Written and spoken fluency in French is a must
• Willingness and ability to travel
• Ability to mentor junior staff

What We Offer:

• Opportunity to contribute to the continued build-out of DWM’s debt platform in a region where there is a strong desire to increase exposure while simultaneously contributing to DWM’s new sector lending strategy – all of this will be done with the aim to help DWM reach an industry-leading position
• Fostering work environment with a passionate and talented international team in a fast-growing, ambitious company
• Highly professional, intellectually demanding and stimulating work environment
• Flat management structure with significant exposure to senior leaders and decision makers

Application Requirements

Please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your goals and motivation for applying to DWM and past relevant experience to Mary Bellis by May 17, 2024, with your name and “Hiring DWM AME Region Head – Private Credit” as the subject line. To: [email protected] Please note that resumes without cover letters will not be considered.