Experienced Summer Intern – Trade & Supply Chain Finance (MBA, MSc or equivalent)

About BII

British International Investment is the UK’s development finance institution, owned by the UK Government. With a mission to solve the biggest global development challenges, we aim to create a virtuous circle of investment and impact. Your contribution will be essential. 

It won’t be easy: we do the hardest work in the most complex markets. Be prepared to test your skills, get creative and say your piece as you take on high-profile work as part of a diverse team of exceptionally smart, passionate people. 

In return, you can take your career to all-new places in a culture that rewards curiosity and collaboration, and balances high performance with wellbeing.

BII at a glance

75 years supporting sustainable business growth in developing and emerging markets

£8.1 billion in net assets

1,400+ businesses invested in

950,000 workers in the businesses we support

£9 billion in new investments planned in the next 5 years

600+ people in our diverse global team

3 key development objectives: Productive | Sustainable | Inclusive

The Teams

Trade and Supply Chain Finance (TSCF) sit within the Financial Services Group (FSG) at BII. This internship will work across both teams ensuring the successful candidate develops a well-rounded exposure to FSG.

The TSCF team provides trade and supply chain finance across BII markets. This is achieved through FI, Corporate and SME risks using a variety of financing structures. The team takes a holistic approach to value chain financing seeking to participate in all areas of the value chain. Predominantly the team partners with Financial Institutions in BII markets to enter Master Risk Participation Agreements (MRPAs) through which BII is able to take risk on underlying borrowers. The team also provides direct loans to FIs and to Corporates and is currently growing its exposure to SME trade finance. Risk taken is short term (under 1 year) and is monitored and managed continuously by a dedicated portfolio management team.

Responsibilities

Specific responsibilities will be driven by priorities and needs of the team at the time, but are expected to include some or all of the following:

Transaction structuring and execution

• Supporting senior members of the team and colleagues working on new RSFs, funds, TSCF proposals and other intermediated transactions
• Analysis, including sector / market analysis; company / borrower analysis (including credit analysis and financial modelling); macro-economic analysis
• Reviewing potential new transactions and structures to assess relevance to BII, structure, risks and rewards and how pricing / returns compare to other transactions in the market
• Preparing relevant sections of investment proposals / papers, conducting due diligence and presenting investment recommendations to BII’s Investment Committee

Portfolio Management

• Supporting role on monitoring the portfolio of existing facilities and projects
• Responsibilities include reviewing company reports; monitoring compliance with covenants; flagging any potential credit issues and preparing monitoring papers for review by BII’s investment committee.
• Active engagement with relevant fund managers, banks and a broad range of other investors

Research and Strategy

• Assisting in the design and implementation of market scoping studies as relevant
• Keeping up to date with deal flow, deal management and portfolio monitoring database for all transactions covered by the TSCF team

The Candidate (please note, this programme is not for undergraduates)

Background

• University degree or equivalent and currently enrolled in an MBA/MSc programme or equivalent programme
• Demonstrable business experience in an international environment, including exposure to emerging market finance
• Experience in an investing role within development finance, private equity, banking, financial institutions or digital financial services (fintech) is desirable
• Demonstration of identity with BII’s proposition including:
  • An awareness of and appreciation for BII’s objectives
  • A desire and passion to be part of BII’s strategy and participate in its work
  • Evidence of high-performance standards in previous positions

Technical Skills

• Analytical acumen, research, financial modelling skills, and advanced knowledge of Excel
• Basic understanding of the key elements of due diligence, deal selection and investment decision-making
• FI credit analysis skills and ability to analyse an FI’s financial statements and make commercial assessments; strong writing skills in English required.
• Experience of structuring and executing debt transactions and undertaking credit analysis of corporates / financial institutions / structured debt transactions would be an advantage (although not essential)
• Some knowledge of relevant markets and sectors
• Basic commercial insight into the challenges and issues that businesses face in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa
• Understanding of emerging market environments and inherent challenges working in these environments
• Strong written and oral presentation skills
• Ability to analyse data, draw conclusions and present ideas

Candidates should be strongly motivated by BII’s development mission and ideally demonstrate some commitment to development or social goals through previous executive or non-executive activity.   

Our cultural values

We look for team members who aspire, as we do, to work at our best and to be:

• Impact-led, commercially rigorous
• Tenacious in the face of challenges
• Collaborative and caring

British International Investment is committed to diversity and inclusion and welcomes all applicants regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation or educational background. 

Application Process 

• Please provide a cover letter with your application, and tell us why you would like to join the Summer Internship at BII, and why you have chosen to apply for this business area / team
• Please apply for one internship only
• Position opened: 28 October 2024
• Position closes: 01 December 2024
• Salary: £65,810 (pro-rated over 8 or 10 weeks)

Please note BII will pay for flights to London for those studying internationally