Investment Officer, Global Investments, LATAM

About Accion:

Accion is a global nonprofit committed to creating a financially inclusive world, with a trailblazing legacy in microfinance and fintech impact investing. We catalyze financial service providers to deliver high-quality, affordable solutions at scale for the 1.8 billion people who are left out of, or poorly served by, the financial sector. For more than 60 years, Accion has helped tens of millions of people through our work with more than 200 partners in 63 countries. More at http://www.accion.org.

About Accion Global Investments (AGI):

AGI makes equity investments in financial institutions and fintech companies that support micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and other underserved populations in emerging markets. AGI’s strategy is to take significant minority stakes in financial inclusion businesses and play an influential role at both strategic and operational levels. AGI works closely with Accion’s Chief Regional Officers (CROs) and the Global Advisory Solutions group to provide capital, strategic and operational support to develop sustainable companies and deliver both commercial and social returns. In particular, AGI will be looking to invest across themes of embedded finance for MSMEs, agritech, and future of work.

In addition to AGI, Accion has two other investment groups. The Accion Venture Lab team is our seed-first fintech for financial inclusion investment group and is managed by a separate team within Accion. The Accion Digital Transformation team invests in established financial institutions that are in the process of digital transformation. Through our partners at Quona Capital, Accion invests in scale up fintech for inclusion through Accion Frontier Inclusion Fund Accion Quona Inclusion Fund, and Quona Accion Inclusion Fund, all managed by Quona Capital.

Position Summary

Accion Global Investments (AGI) seeks a strategic and collaborative investment professional to lead our investment work in Latin America. The Investment Officer will support all aspects of Accion Global Investments’ work in Latin America, including deal sourcing, investment analysis and diligence, transaction closing, and post-investment governance and support to portfolio companies, as well as supporting other investment and strategic activities across the globe. The role will be highly entrepreneurial, spanning emerging market venture investing and cutting edge fintech innovation, with a focus on social impact.

We are looking for a person to be based ideally in Latin America. Preferred locations are Bogota, Brazil, and Mexico. The Investment Officer will report to the Chief Investment Officer and work closely with each member of the tightly knit AGI team in various capacities, serving as a thought partner to other Investment Officers around the world.

The ideal candidate will have relevant experience working in Latin America, ideally in venture capital investing, fintech, or impact investing more broadly. The candidate should have a demonstrated passion for social impact.

Position Responsibilities

• Develop a strong pipeline of investment opportunities in Latin America as well as build strong sourcing referral network and conduct thorough due diligence and financial analysis on prospective investees.
• Lead investment structuring, negotiation, documentation, and execution.
• Build and actively manage a portfolio of investments, including representing Accion on boards and providing management support to companies, including on (as applicable) finance and operating strategy, business development and lead generation, introductions/connections, fundraising support, and seeking opportunities to leverage Accion resources and expertise to benefit the investee.
• Build and manage relationships with global investors, entrepreneurs, service providers, and cross-Accion teams for deal sourcing, information/idea exchange, deal execution/co-investment, post-investment support, entrepreneurial ecosystem building, and other objectives.
• Proactively develop knowledge resources and thought leadership, including preparation of documents on investment status and lessons learned for Accion management/staff, and other internal and external stakeholders.
• Financial modeling and valuation analysis for venture capital and private equity investments.
• Represent Accion publicly at conferences, events, and working groups as needed.

Position Qualifications

• 5+ years of relevant experience in early-stage investing (particularly Series A and B rounds), financial services, technology, management consulting, investment banking, entrepreneurship– opportunity provides responsibilities scaled to experience.
• Strong entrepreneurial spirit and a passion tech-enabled solutions to poverty.
• Should have experience working in or with startups or growth-stage enterprises in emerging markets, ideally as an entrepreneur, manager and/or principal investor.
• Experience or domain expertise in financial services and/or financial inclusion, particularly financial technology, payment systems, and/or innovative delivery models, as well as themes such as embedded finance and agrifinance are preferred.
• Multi-functional skill set across finance, operations, fundraising, strategy, and/or legal. Strong research and analysis skills, including financial and strategy analytics.
• Outstanding relationship and project management skills and ability to earn respect of Accion colleagues, investors, and enterprises. Existing network within impact investing and/or financial inclusion a plus.
• Exceptional written, communication and presentation skills, and comfortable moving seamlessly between boardroom and field.
• Bachelor’s degree required; MBA or similar advanced degree is a significant plus.
• Experience working and/or living in Latin America is strongly preferred.
• Spanish language fluency is required, and Portuguese language fluency is strongly preferred.

Accion is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace culture. Accion seeks qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, change of sex or transgender status, or any other basis protected by law. Accion is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities.