ABOUT OMIDYAR NETWORK:

Pierre Omidyar, the founder of eBay, and his wife, Pam, established Omidyar Network (ON) based on the belief that every person has the potential to make a difference. We make venture capital investments and grants to innovative organizations that create opportunities for individuals. We target sectors that have the potential to have significant positive impact on people’s lives, and where Omidyar Network can assume a leading role in fostering the development of an industry or sub-sector. Since 2004, we have invested more than $ 1 bn in investments and grants.

The global Financial Inclusion initiative works to accelerate access and usage of financial services for mass market households and small enterprises, through disruptive use of technology and innovative business models. We work with innovative and technology-driven startup companies and on a range of research and policy-initiatives. Our portfolio includes companies working across several geographies and subsectors. Recent activity includes investments in companies such Indifi, Scripbox, United Income and Zest and policy or research grants to industry-building institutions such as Alliance for Financial Inclusion, the Better Than Cash Alliance, or the GSMA’s Mobile Money Unit. We also strive for thought-leadership with publications such “Big Data, Small Credit” on alternative data-underwritten, short-term credit.

POSITION SUMMARY:

We are seeking an Investment Associate to join our Financial Inclusion Global Frontiers team which focuses on radically innovative investments in emerging markets outside India and US. The Associate will focus on driving investments in Africa, building on our existing portfolio in the continent that includes the likes of Zoona, Pagatech, OffGrid Electric, FlutterWave.

The Associate will be primarily responsible for deal sourcing, assessing business plans, performing research / competitive analysis / due diligence, and supporting deal execution, portfolio management and policy advocacy. The position offers a high degree of autonomy and calls for correspondingly high level of passion, entrepreneurial energy and ability to take ownership. There is potential for upward mobility with this position. This individual’s responsibilities will include the following:

New Investments

• Develop industry relationships and build a pipeline of potential investment leads

• Support due diligence efforts – review business plans and conduct competitive analysis

• Support deal execution – develop investment thesis, build financial models and prepare

investment memoranda
• Participate in developing investment strategies for the sector

Portfolio Management

• Provide analytic and strategy support to ON funded organizations as needed

• Conduct market research and keep current with industry trends and competitive

  landscape
  Sector level and Policy Engagement

• Engage with existing financial institutions and other large businesses and facilitate alliances between these incumbents and fintech start-ups

• Track and engage in key public policy discussions; design and manage policy-related investments

  EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS REQUIREMENTS:

• 3-5 years of business experience conducting company evaluation and financial analysis, ideally at a top tier private equity firm, investment bank, management consultancy or in an operational role in a financial services firm.

• MBA/MPA ideally in a field of study with analytic/technical focus

• Experience working in / with companies in: financial institutions, payments and online

  financial services, fin-tech is desirable, not necessary

• Demonstrated ability to formulate a clear investment thesis, and make accurate

  judgement calls drawing on prior investment, and/or operating experience

• Strong analytic, strategic thinking and project management skills

• Strong communication and writing skills

• Comfort with working in a highly collaborative environment

• Prior demonstrated interest in / experience with social entrepreneurship and creating

  positive social impact is desirable