Junior Associate

About the Organization: 
BlueOrchard Finance (BOF) S.A. was founded in 2001 as the first commercial manager of microfinance debt investments worldwide. It specializes in the management of microfinance investment products with a mission to empower the poor worldwide and improve their quality of life by promoting income-generating activities through private investments in microfinance.

About the Job: 
BOF is seeking a Junior Associate. S/he will be part of the regional investment team, will report to the regional manager (RM), and will provide support to other members of the investment team in managing regional offices' (RO) clients and loan portfolios. In addition, s/he will provide required administrative and logistical support to help maintain and manage RO operations.

Tasks and Responsibilities: 

• Relationship management and communication:
  • Assist investment team in communication with the MFIs, organization's offices worldwide, and third parties;
  • Collect, sort, analyze, and file MFIs’ documentation, including but not limited to operational, financial, and social information;
  • Support investment team members in preparation of credit proposals;
  • Perform credit-related tasks as assigned by investment team members related to closing transactions, disbursement of loan proceeds, and follow-up;
  • Support investment team in monitoring performance of MFI clients and assist in monthly, quarterly, semiannual, and annual analytical reviews, credit risk assessment of the outstanding loans to the MFIs.
• Due diligence (DD) of MFIs:
  • Assist in planning and preparing DD trips to MFIs, including but not limited to contacts with the MFIs, pre-DD desk reviews of the existing and potential clients, submission of requests to and receipt of initial data from the MFIs, and completion of pre-DD documentation;
  • Manage logistics of the DD trips for traveling investment team members;
  • Together with other investment team members, participate in on-site DD of the MFIs, collect, organize, analyze, and report information and data obtained during the DD trips;
  • Assist in drafting MFI DD reports;
  • Organize and file pre-DD, DD, and other relevant documentation.
• Country risk analysis:
  • Carry out desk research and assist investment team in preparing reports on country risk, including, but not limited to macroeconomic, political, legal, regulatory, market, and other risks;
  • Carry out desk research and assist in preparing and updating information and reports on regulatory and competitive environment of the local microfinance sector;
  • Assist in drafting and updating country risk reports.
• Portfolio and investors reporting:
  • Assist investment team members in performing portfolio analysis and reporting to supervisors, portfolio managers, and investors;
  • Assist with fund management tasks, as required.

Qualifications: 

• Degree in Finance, Business Administration, Economics, or related field;
• Preferably previous working experience or exposure to banking, microfinance or economic development sectors, but typically less than two years of relevant work experience;
• Previous experience or exposure to financing credit institutions and performing credit risk assessment and financial and social DDs of MFIs is desired;
• Interest in impact investing, double bottom line returns, and microfinance in emerging markets, developing economies, and in markets in transition.
• Financial analysis skills;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, with advanced skills using Excel;
• General knowledge of assessing credit risk and developing credit proposals;
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, both verbal and written;
• Advanced personal organization and planning skills and ability to work on multiple tasks simultaneously;
• Proactive, result-driven, able to work in a fast paced environment, flexible with “hands-on” approach, and willingness to perform both technical and administrative tasks;
• Excellent written and spoken English and French skills;
• Ability to undertake work related travel in the region.

Closing Date: 15 Aug 2013

How to Apply:
Interested candidates can send their resume, cover letter, and references toske@blueorchard.com