Director, Asset Management (AATIF)

JOB TITLE:                        Director, Africa Agriculture and Trade Investment Fund (“AATIF” or the “Fund”))

FUND:                              Africa Agriculture and Trade Investment Fund (“AATIF”)

REPORTING TO:              Michael Hoelter, AATIF Fund Lead

MAIN PURPOSE:

The Director will join the Fund Team at Cygnum Capital that advises the Africa Agriculture and Trade Investment Fund (AATIF). The Consultant will report directly to the Fund Lead of AATIF. Through his/ her role, the Director will foster growth in the asset management (“AM”) activities of Cygnum Capital Group (hereafter “Cygnum Capital” or the “Firm”).

The role will require a common understanding with the Firm’s senior management around Cygnum Capital’s business objectives and presumes a readiness to collaborate with peers, and to delegate responsibility to other team members, if in the better interests of the Firm.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

Asset Management

Investment Origination & Analysis & Fund Management:

• Identify, approach and enter into an origination relationship with key target investment companies in East and Southern African region for AATIF with the goal to invest capital of AATIF into these companies and in line with the investment targets of AATIF;#
• management of existing positions of the Fund into previously closed investment which includes implementation of periodic portfolio reviews;
• credit and financial analysis of companies and sectors covered by the Fund;
• deal pipeline responsibility including the conduct of screening of opportunities, preparation of early-stage concept notes for investments, presentation to the Investment Committees, preparation and delivery of due diligence followed by the execution (see also below under Deal Execution) of the investment in conjunction with deal teams;
• liaison with third parties involved in the transactions such us potential co-lenders/equity investors and external service providers, including lender’s technical, E&S, legal, insurance and financial advisors among others;
• co-operate with the Firm’s Fund Ops Team Middle & Back Office to ensure proper data capturing for Fund reporting for the investments the Director is responsible for;
• produce input into the Fund’s monitoring reports, credit papers, accounts and annual financial statements within agreed timescales and any publication thereof;
• support the production of marketing materials for potential investors to assist the Fund Lead and the COO of the Firm’s Asset Management in the fund raising; and
• cross team collaboration supporting the Fund team and/or taking the lead in a variety of initiatives that aim to improve efficiency, communication, quality, etc: creating templates, implementing new standards and tools, ensuring information is properly filed, others.

Deal Execution:

• work in tandem with other team members of the Fund Team and the wider AM business to perform due diligence, KYC checks, structuring of the investment, process management of the necessary approvals (including development of credit papers), deal documentation, check and confirmation on conditions to disbursement and finally handling the closing of the investment.
• Execution includes liaising and managing the interaction with outside advisers in areas such as Technical, Environmental & Social, Monitoring, Legal and any other specialized areas as may be applicable to the business needs of the Fund.

Business Development:

• support business development for AATIF in East and Southern Africa, as agreed mutually with the AATIF Fund Lead.
• help develop the quality of the Firm’s AM marketing as it relates to AATIF, including written and verbal pitch documents.
• engage with investment teams of the other funds managed by the Firm whilst always respecting the confidentiality obligations of AATIF and observing “Chinese Wall” information barriers if these are deemed necessary by the Manager in consultation with the Firm’s General Counsel, by sharing investment best practices, reaction to financial and economic news which might impact the Firm’s funds, and relevant country, sector or company insights; and
• highlighting promptly to the Fund Lead of AATIF and helping to address any potential conflicts of interest.
• explore opportunities for cross-divisional collaboration between the Fund and other Cygnum Capital business activities.
• act as an ambassador of Cygnum Capital by:

o  representing the Firm’s best interests with third parties at all times;

o  promoting its global capabilities; and

o  creating effective external networks to bolster the Firm’s standing.

Human Capital Management:

• help create team spirit, promoting good morale and cohesion.
• create strong and collaborative internal communication networks.
• manage a balance with other elements of life and encourage others to do the same.
• allocate time appropriately so that all business development, execution or coverage activities are carried out with due consideration to colleagues.

CONDUCT RULES:

The following individual conduct rules of the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”), as the Firm’s principal regulator, apply in the performance of the role:

1. Act with integrity
2. Act with due skill, care and diligence
3. Be open and cooperative with the FCA, PRA and other regulators
4. Pay due regard to the interests of customers and treat them fairly
5. Observe proper standards of market conduct

FIT AND PROPER REQUIREMENT:

The Director must ensure she/he remains fit and proper to perform the role. Accordingly, the Director must notify the Firm if any event occurs which would be relevant to the Director’s honesty, integrity and reputation, competence and capability, or financial soundness, including any professional examination passes, honours etc.

PROFILE OF CANDIDATE:

Demonstrate strong expertise in agricultural finance, particularly structuring and executing debt transactions for agribusinesses and value chains:

• Hands-on experience with debt capital products across East and Southern Africa, ideally in the agrifood industry.
• Maintain an existing and actively leverage a robust network of contacts among agribusinesses, cooperatives, and financial institutions engaged in agriculture across East and Southern Africa—especially within French-speaking countries.
• Possess an academic background in finance, economics, agribusiness, or a closely related discipline.
• Bring 7+ years of relevant professional experience in a client-facing position.
• Exhibit strong command of English in both written and verbal form.
• Operate effectively both independently and as part of a team, with the agility to manage diverse responsibilities in a dynamic work environment, 
• Willing to travel frequently across the region.
• Share a commitment to advancing sustainable agriculture and rural development through impactful and commercially sound investment strategies.