Associate/Senior Associate, Training and Engagement

Convergence Blended Finance; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 38,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Convergence is seeking an Associate/Sr. Associate, Training & Engagement, based in London, to strengthen European relationships and drive investor engagement. You will work with a global team to design capacity-building programs, onboard investors, and support advisory mandates in blended finance.

You should have 1–2 years (3–4 for Sr.) in development finance or related fields, a degree in business or economics, work permit in the UK, and a willingness to travel and adapt to time zones.

Qualifications

• Demonstrate strong interest and experience in increasing investment in LMICs to finance SDG and climate investment.
• Masters (preferred) or bachelor’s degree in business, economics, finance, or a related field.
• Minimum of 1-2 years’ relevant work experience for Associate position (3-4 years for Sr. Associate) in development finance, development, financial services or consulting.
• Must have a work permit in the UK.
• Creative and strategic thinker with intellectual curiosity who enjoys brainstorming opportunities with colleagues and partners.
• Strong project management skills and a team player with a track record of on-time delivery.
• Good interpersonal skills, including communication, networking, prospect identification, and relationship-building.
• Interest in and knowledge of private sector development/financing issues in emerging markets.

Responsibilities

• Manage institutional member relationships with a focus on deepening partnerships and retention.
• Identify potential pipeline of new investor members in Europe and engage at industry conferences.
• Support multi-stakeholder initiatives led by European partners.
• Onboard investors and deal sponsors, including follow-on support.
• Develop marketing and briefing materials and communicate client needs internally.
• Become an expert on Convergence’s platform to support stakeholders with inquiries.
• Support and manage virtual and in-person training programs and knowledge initiatives.
• Identify knowledge opportunities with the internal team and external stakeholders.
• Maintain open communication with cross-functional teams and support new strategic initiatives.

Skills

Investment in LMICs

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Networking

Relationship building

Flexible working hours

Blended finance knowledge

Education

Masters or bachelor’s degree in business, economics, finance, or related field

Job description

Convergence is the global network for blended finance. Blended finance is the use of catalytic public or philanthropic capital to increase private sector investment in places that need it most. We are the source for everything blended finance, including deals, data, reports, trainings, webinars, and much more. At Convergence, we believe that blended finance can disrupt traditional development finance as we know it, by attracting private sector funds to developing countries in volumes never before seen.

Convergence is a not-for-profit headquartered in Toronto. We operate globally and have a presence in Singapore, Nairobi, London, and Washington, DC. Over the last decade we have built a robust network of over 200 public, private, and philanthropic investors as well as sponsors of blended finance transactions. To accelerate advances in the field, Convergence also provides grants through its Accelerator, which funds the design of new blended finance solutions.

We are small but mighty. Join us if you want to be part of a global and energetic team with a unique role at the intersection of development and finance. We are passionate about and united around the goal of directing money to where it’s needed most – into developing countries and towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We have built a culture defined by our diversity, inclusivity, and ability to get things done. As part of our nimble and growing organization, you can be sure that you’ll have a voice and leave your mark. Finally, we take our team members’ growth and well-being seriously, so we offer opportunities for professional development and team building as well as flexible schedules and generous time off policies.

Convergence has built a robust network of relationships across Europe and seeks to further expand its European presence. The Associate/Sr. Associate will focus on maintaining existing relationships as well as generating membership and partnership leads with local and regional stakeholders. We are looking for someone with strong experience in client service, business development, and/or relationship/account management with good understanding of the world of finance, banking, and capital markets. The Associate/Sr. Associate is expected to be based in London and will work closely with all our staff globally.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Associate/Sr. Associate will be instrumental in engaging stakeholders of all kinds, including Europe-based (i) governments engaged in international development (e.g., OECD DAC members), (ii) development finance institutions and multilateral development banks, (iii) private sector investors including asset managers and asset owners, (iv) and philanthropies. Convergence’s latest strategic plan priorities engaging mainstream institutional investors, and supporting Convergence and the standardization of private investment mobilization models. You will help drive growth in the region by:

• Gaining a deep understanding of the Convergence value proposition to different segments and organizations and then concurrently using this information to bring new members into the network
• Developing and managing institutional relationships with existing members
• Supporting the development of new and existing partnerships and strategic initiatives
• Working with the broader Convergence team to execute on advisory mandates, as applicable
• Co-Leading, developing, and delivering capacity building programs on blended finance in Europe, and beyond
• Representing Convergence’s work as it relates to identifying, reviewing, and managing the region’s pipeline of blended finance projects, companies, and funds seeking to raise capital,
• Supporting Convergence’s new and emerging Accelerator initiatives

RESPONSIBILITIES

The following comprises the core responsibilities of the Associate/Sr. Associate, Training & Engagement; however, the scope will evolve over time to match the region’s evolving requirements.

• Manage institutional member relationships with a focus on deepening partnerships leading to strong member engagement and retention.
• Identity potential pipeline of new mainstream investor members based in Europe, and engage with them directly and at relevant industry conferences such as Building Bridges, AFSIC, GIIN, Phenix Summit, PEI Impact Summit, OECD blended finance meetings amongst others.
• Support and engage with multi-stakeholder initiatives led by European partners, such as Sustainable Markets Initiative, the Net Zero Asset Owners Alliance, Climate Investment Coalition, the Investment Mobilization Collaboration Arrangement, SCALED, etc.
• Onboard investors and deal sponsors, including follow-on support (operational and administrative) to ensure maximum use of the platform.
• Support member pipeline development through preparation of marketing and briefing materials, writing articles or blog posts, and working closely with the broader Convergence team. Communicate client needs to internal stakeholders.
• Become an expert on Convergence’s platform to be able to support internal and external stakeholders with technical inquiries and lead initiatives to improve members’ experience.
• Support and over time manage the execution of virtual and in-person training programs; this includes program structuring, content development & delivery, partner collaboration, and administration.
• Identify and develop knowledge and research opportunities in collaboration with the internal knowledge team and external stakeholders, in the European ecosystem.
• Maintain open, thorough, and regular communication with cross-functional teams.
• Support the broader team on new strategic initiatives and project management as applicable.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• The candidate should be able to demonstrate strong interest and experience working to increase investment in Low and Middle-Income Countries to finance SDG and climate investment – a passion for Convergence’s mission
• Masters (preferred) or bachelor’s degree in business, economics, finance, or a related field
• Minimum of 1-2 years’ relevant work experience for Associate position (3-4 years for Sr. Associate) in development finance, development, financial services or consulting, demonstrating ability to deliver results through both independent and collaborative work.
• Must have a work permit in the UK
• Creative and strategic thinker with intellectual curiosity who enjoys brainstorming new opportunities with co-workers and partners.
• Strong project management skills and team player with a track record of on-time delivery.
• Good interpersonal skills, including communication, networking, prospect identification, and relationship-building.
• Interest in and knowledge of private sector participation/development finance issues in emerging and frontier markets.
• The candidate should be open to flexible working hours to facilitate engagement across time zones.
• Preference for candidates who have work experience in blended finance and investment mobilization, and related fields.