Investment Lead

Background

The African Climate Foundation (ACF) is the first and only African-led climate change re-granting organisation on the continent. Through a combination of grant making, fellowships, transformational research, technical assistance, coalition building and advocacy the ACF seeks to support interventions at the nexus of climate change, and development that have the greatest potential to deliver long-term socio-economic transformation and inclusive development.

As ACF enters a phase of rapid growth, the organisation is seeking to strengthen its institutional capacity and financial sustainability. In this context, ACF is recruiting an Investment Lead to help shape and implement its investment strategy and contribute to long-term resilience. The Investment Lead, while focused on ACF’s internal investment strategies, will also serve as a guide and in advisory capacity to ACF’s Sustainable Finance programme, the organisation’s long-term financial sustainability and fundraising strategy, and key grantees on structuring and optimising the capitalisation of in-country investment platforms for external investment flow or capitalisation.

Purpose

The Investment Lead will play a central role in ensuring ACF’s financial sustainability and supporting its investment-related activities. Working closely with the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Chief Executive Officer (CEO), and Head of Strategic Partnerships. The Investment Lead will design and implement strategies to diversify ACF’s income streams, optimise pool fund management, and support the establishment of new investment vehicles in collaboration with grantee programmes across different geographies.  

This role will also provide strategic investment expertise to in-country teams, ensuring robust due diligence, sound governance structures, and effective capitalisation strategies underpin the funds supported by ACF.

The Investment Lead will be expected to develop financial sustainability models and investment strategies to present to ACF’s Board of Directors for consideration and implementation. The Investment Lead will also work closely with ACF’s Senior Management Team and key funding partners.

This role will report to the Chief Executive Officer (primary reporting line) with a functional reporting link to the Chief Finance Officer.

Key responsibilities include but not limited to:

1. Financial Sustainability and Strategy (primary focus)

• Support the CFO and CEO in developing ACF’s long-term financial sustainability strategy, including cost-recovery models and monetisation of selected services.
• Identify and pursue innovative income streams beyond traditional philanthropic funding, alongside the Head of Strategic Partnerships.
• Develop strategies to diversify ACF’s financial base, including through strategic investments of existing and future funds.
  

2. Investment Design and Advisory Support

• Provide professional expertise in the design and structuring of new funds, especially impact funds, supported by ACF.
• Ensure due diligence, governance, and capitalisation strategies are in place for all investment vehicles.
• Advise on investment opportunities aligned with ACF’s mission and long-term strategy.

3. Partnership and Programme Support

• Collaborate with grantee programmes seeking to establish investment funds in different jurisdictions.
• Build partnerships with relevant financial and investment actors to increase climate-related investment flows to Africa.
• Support the scaling of climate and development solutions through well-structured investment vehicles.
• Work across various relevant departments of the ACF.

4. Governance and Board Engagement

• Develop and present investment and financial strategies to ACF’s Board of Directors.
• Provide ongoing advice and reporting on investment performance and opportunities.
• Oversee ACF’s internal investment portfolio.

Requirements include but not limited to:

• Relevant qualification in Investment Management
• Minimum of 8-10 years’ experience in investment management, fund structuring, or related fields.
• The suitable candidate must demonstrate experience in investment fund structuring, impact and blended finance models in Africa.
• Strong understanding of investment governance, risk management, and capitalisation strategies.
• Experience in working across jurisdictions, including navigating cross-jurisdictional investment regulations and aligning investment vehicles with donor requirements and relevant legal frameworks will be advantageous.
• Experience with non-profits, foundations, or impact-driven funds is highly desirable, along with knowledge of donor capital, impact investment, and development finance institutions.
• Excellent analytical, strategic, and communication skills.

Success Factors:

• Commitment to ACF’s mission of supporting climate and development solutions for Africa.
• Interest in applying investment expertise to the non-profit and philanthropic sector.
• Values-driven, with a focus on creating public goods and long-term social impact rather than short-term financial gains.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.

Compensation:

This position will be remunerated at levels commensurate with the non-profit sector. Please note that ACF does not provide succession bonuses typical of the investment industry. The role is ideally suited for candidates seeking to apply their investment expertise to advance public goods and transformative climate and development outcomes in Africa. No equity will be offered in any proceeds or investment funds housed or supported by ACF.

Start date: Position available immediately.

Location: South Africa, with a preference for candidates based in Cape Town.

Contract duration: 12 months (renewable based on mutual agreement).

Closing date: 17 September 2025.

For further information about the ACF, visit www.africanclimatefoundation.org.

Should you not hear back from us by 30 November 2025, please consider your application to be unsuccessful.

The ACF strives to be an equitable organisation with a team which reflects the diversity of Africa.

In compliance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), The ACF assures all applicants that any personal information provided during the recruitment process will be treated with the utmost confidentiality and used solely for recruitment purposes. Your privacy and data security are of paramount importance to us. By applying for this position, you consent to the collection, processing, and storage of your personal information for recruitment-related activities only. The ACF is committed to safeguarding your privacy and maintaining the trust you place in us.