Country Coverage Executive

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

About the team

• 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 Asia, BII currently has presence in Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Singapore. The role being recruited is Country Coverage Executive reporting to Bangladesh Country Director.
• Based in Dhaka, the individual will be part of the South Asia coverage team with primary focus on Bangladesh. Day-to-day duties will include originating potential investment opportunities, providing portfolio management support to BII’s investment teams and supporting the Coverage Director in building key stakeholder relationships.
• The individual will provide in-country support focused on:
• Working with both BII’s 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
• The individual will be expected to visit BII’s London headquarters (Covid permitting), 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.

About the role

The individual will carry out the following activities on behalf of BII, directly or in support of the Regional Director South Asia:

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 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,
• Build and maintain relationships with UK stakeholders (FCO/DIT; UK plc), 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

About you

• Proven track record of originating equity, debt and/or mezzanine deals within the local market
• Experience working in commercial banking, corporate finance, investment banking, private equity, M&A and investment advisory and/or investment management
• Relevant experience working in a private sector led business and/or an investment or financial institution in Bangladesh
• Existing relationships within the local business, investment banking, lending, DFI, and PE/VC communities
• MBA (focus on Finance) or equivalent post-graduate professional qualification in a Finance-related field
• Experience engaging with and managing external stakeholders, such as local government entities and development agencies

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
• Excellent business communication skills, 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