Coverage Manager

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

Team and role overview 

Purpose 

As part of our ongoing strategy, BII is working to expand its local presence in Africa and Asia. Having more local staff will help us identify more and better investment opportunities, support our portfolio management efforts and improve our ability to engage with local stakeholders. 

In Africa, BII currently has regional offices in South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria and Egypt, we also have a local office in Ghana.  These offices are complemented by Country Representatives for Ethiopia and Zimbabwe.

The role being recruited is Coverage Manager reporting to the Head of Egypt and Coverage Director.

Based in Cairo, the individual will be part of the Africa coverage team with primary focus on Egypt. Day-to-day duties will include originating potential investment opportunities, providing portfolio management support to BII’s London-based investment teams and supporting the Coverage Director in building key stakeholder relationships. 

The individual will provide in-country support focused on:  

• Working with both in-country and London-based investment teams to drive BII’s origination, deal execution and portfolio management efforts across sectors and products 

• Gathering, analysing and disseminating critical data/information on macroeconomics, national development agenda, domestic politics, investing environment, promoter backgrounds, etc 

• Supporting the Coverage Director in managing all BII’s stakeholders including but not limited to the in-country FCDO, other UK government related teams, DFI/MFI counterparts, local government and media as appropriate 

• The individual will be expected to visit BII’s London headquarters regularly, and to participate in internal discussions, including via videoconference. S(he) will also be expected to contribute regularly to internal BII communications (e.g., blog post, internal presentation) and attend BII events as needed. 

Responsibilities 

The individual will carry out the following activities on behalf of BII, directly or in support of the Egypt Coverage Director:  

Regional Support 

• Develop BII country perspectives that articulate the macro dynamics and national development priorities as input into the investment teams and to support IC discussions 

• Provide periodical updates on in-country sector developments and key transactions 

• Gather, process and share relevant local intelligence to help investment teams see opportunities earlier, make more informed decisions and manage portfolio risks effectively 

• Market mapping and visit support 

• Map the leading local businesses and top promoter groups across sectors that BII can be associated and do business with 

• Provide local insight into market mapping exercises conducted by the in-country and London investment teams 

• Support investment teams by coordinating in-country activities and creating joint visit opportunities (e.g., country roadshows on a theme or sector) 

• Develop a network of sector experts that can provide regular local insight and be a potential source for BII portfolio company Executives/NEDs/Advisers 

Deal Origination 

• Originate proprietary deals across all BII sectors and direct equity and debt investment products  

• Understand BII’s sector team strategies and participate in relevant pipeline discussions 

• Build relationships with transaction-related intermediaries (e.g., investment banks, advisers, Big 4) to source high-quality investment opportunities  

Execution Support 

• Assist deal teams during deal due diligence and execution (e.g., with business integrity checks, development impact theses, local regulations, etc) 

• Recommend local consultants and advisers who can provide additional support as needed 

Portfolio Management Support 

• Assist the investment teams with portfolio company management activities as required (e.g. monitoring performance/identifying early warning signals, guiding on troubled investments, etc) 

• Assist with implementation of the post-investment action plans developed by Development Impact (DI), Environmental and Social Governance (ESG-I), Business Integrity (BI) and value creation strategies (VCS) teams.  

Brand-Building and Stakeholder Management 

Increase BII’s visibility and thought leadership locally by attending and hosting relevant local events, developing relationships with local business media outlets 

Build and maintain relationships with UK stakeholders (FCO/DIT; UK plc; British Chamber of Commerce), other DFI/MFIs and the in-country international development community  

Build and maintain relationships with local stakeholders including government, regulators and investment promoters to gather intelligence and support BII’s investment activities 

Represent BII and communicate our achievements during visits by UK government representatives 

The candidate 

Background, skills, aptitude 

MBA (focus on Finance) or equivalent post-graduate professional qualification in a Finance-related field 

Significant and relevant experience working in a private sector led business and/or an investment institution in Africa 

Significant experience working in commercial banking, corporate finance, investment banking, private equity, M&A and investment advisory and/or investment management 

Proven track record of originating equity, debt and/or mezzanine deals within the local market 

Existing relationships within the local business, investment banking, lending, DFI, MFI and PE communities 

Experience engaging with and managing external stakeholders, such as local government entities and development agencies 

Experience working with international development institutions (World Bank, IMF, Africa Development Bank, etc.) and/or relevant UK government departments (FCDO, DIT) 

Technical Skills 

Strategic, analytical and problem-solving skills 

Commercial judgment and ability to assess risk and opportunity in potential investments 

Gravitas to represent BII on the ground, and to interact effectively with promoters, management, government, prospective business partners, etc. 

Strong people skills, with the ability to network and develop productive relationships locally 

Aptitude 

Ability to relate effectively with senior business leaders, to get BII into the right investment discussions and to prepare the ground for BII’s investment teams 

Ability to work to deadlines and manage multiple projects effectively 

Outstanding business communication skills (in English and Arabic), including written, verbal and presentation. Comfort communicating with all levels of management internally and externally 

• Experience working collaboratively as part of a team, facilitating information-sharing and organisational learning, with the capability and perseverance to work in a small team 

• Ability to operate independently with minimal supervision and limited on the ground support 

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.   

Please provide a cover letter with your application 

Salary: Competitive