Associate – Natural Capital - Johannesburg

Associate – Natural Capital

About the Firm

CrossBoundary Group is a mission-driven investment and advisory firm that unlocks the power of capital for sustainable growth and strong returns in underserved markets. CrossBoundary Advisory provides transaction and investment advisory services, having developed a specialized expertise in unleashing investment across all sectors in these markets. CrossBoundary Advisory has advised on over US$8bn worth of transactions across 75 countries globally, serving our clients from 20 offices spread across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Our advisory clients include governments, development finance institutions, private equity firms, Fortune 100 companies, and research institutions.  

Our investment platforms, CrossBoundary Energy, CrossBoundary Energy Access, and CrossBoundary Educational Infrastructure, directly finance projects to bring cheaper, cleaner, and more reliable electricity, as well as education infrastructure, to developing countries. Anchoring the Group’s work in the renewable energy sector, CrossBoundary Energy is currently active in more than 10 African countries and has a portfolio of over US$100 million of renewable energy projects for commercial and industrial clients across the continent. CrossBoundary Energy Access uses blended finance and an innovative project financing structure to unlock capital for mini-grids with a mission to bring electricity for the first time to more than 170,000 people.  

CrossBoundary’s Natural Capital practice focuses on unlocking private capital for nature-based solutions that contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation, and address biodiversity loss. We provide transaction support to companies in the agribusiness, aquaculture, and forestry sectors, as well as to nature-based carbon projects focused on restoration and conservation of nature. We are launching a new fund to invest in nature-based carbon projects in Africa.

Learn more at www.crossboundary.com.

Job Description

CrossBoundary Advisory is recruiting a full-time Associate. We seek candidates with experience across finance, strategy, and understanding of the investment landscape and nature-based solutions (conservation, natural capital, forestry, agriculture, etc.) in emerging markets.

As an Associate, you will identify and evaluate investment opportunities, conduct macroeconomic market assessments, and provide transaction support to both investors and capital seekers. You will also support business development, new strategic partnerships and thought leadership.

Who We Are

The CrossBoundary team is a unique group made up of people who are genuinely excited by the opportunity to make a difference in some of the most challenging yet exciting markets in the world. Team members come from diverse backgrounds but share several qualities: curiosity, humility, integrity, a drive for excellence, and a bias for action.

Who You Are

• Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s degree preferred (or another relevant advanced degree/professional qualification)
• 3-5 years of relevant experience in investment banking, management consulting, private equity, or similar
• Experience living and/or working in underserved markets required; experience in East and Southern Africa region, and specifically Mozambique, highly preferred
• High tolerance for ambiguity; able to operate effectively in a changing context
• Strong quantitative skills and analytical abilities: can think clearly, structure problems logically, and then design and implement solutions that focus on the core issues
• Great at building and maintaining relationships under stress with colleagues and clients in the sector and/or region
• Willing to take on new types of work, even without prior experience or direct supervision
• Experience in project management/leadership roles preferred
• Excellent presentation skills: ability to communicate clearly and effectively with diverse audiences
• Self-starter who is humble and passionate about creating lasting change in underserved markets
• Enthusiastic about working, traveling, and living in sometimes challenging environments
• Fluency in English is required
• Experience in natural capital, conservation, forestry, agriculture, or similar sector strongly preferred
• Knowledge of carbon markets, with experience developing carbon projects preferred

Primary Responsibilities

• Identifying and evaluating investment opportunities
• Conducting sector or geographic landscape assessments
• Identifying and engaging with qualified regional and international investors

• Support on transaction advisory engagements by:

• Supporting commercial due diligence assignments
• Performing market research and developing client-facing recommendations
• Advising on the structuring and deploying of blended finance vehicles

• Advise on carbon project development and deal structuring
• Cultivate and manage relationships with existing and potential investors, clients, companies, and other stakeholders
• Supporting business development through proactive opportunity sourcing and relationship building, as well as responding to donor-funded procurements (EOIs and RFPs), including executing technical and financial proposals

Think you have what it takes but not sure you check every box? Research shows that while men apply to roles when they meet an average of 60% of the criteria, women often only apply when they meet every requirement. If you’re passionate about what we’re building, apply! We want to hear from you.

Locations

The chosen candidate will join our team in Johannesburg. This role will involve travel.

Equal Opportunity Employer

CrossBoundary is an equal opportunity employer. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request to our [email protected]