Development Officer Africa - Aqua-Spark

Fellowfield | Executive Search & Interim Management; Utrecht; On-site; EUR 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

38 days paid leave

International work environment

Collaborative team

Live and work in the Netherlands

Job summary

Aqua-Spark Africa is seeking a Development Officer Africa to mobilize capital for the next generation of sustainable aquaculture companies across Africa. You will focus on expanding the investor base, engaging DFIs, private investors, and mission-aligned partners to build a resilient food system.

You thrive on opening doors, building trusted relationships, and translating vision into investment partnerships.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of fundraising or investor relations experience.
• Proven track record in bringing in significant investment.
• Experience engaging with Development Finance Institutions (DFIs).
• Experience across emerging markets with cultural awareness.
• Native-level English with excellent storytelling skills.
• Willingness to travel internationally.
• Understanding of fund structures and financial metrics.
• Interest in sustainability and Aqua-Spark’s mission.

Responsibilities

• Identify and cultivate new investment partners for the Aqua-Spark Africa Fund, focusing on DFIs, family offices, foundations, and mission-aligned investors.
• Lead investor engagement from initial outreach through to commitment and long-term relationship management.
• Represent Aqua-Spark at industry events, investor forums, and conferences, expanding our network and visibility.
• Build trusted partnerships with investors who share our vision for sustainable aquaculture in Africa.
• Work closely with leadership to shape fundraising strategy and investor narratives.
• Contribute to the development of compelling investor materials and communications.
• Maintain and manage the investor pipeline and relationships in CRM system.
• Stay at the forefront of developments in sustainable finance, food systems, and aquaculture innovation.

Skills

Fundraising

Investor relations

Business development

Stakeholder communication

CRM tools knowledge

Tools

Salesforce

Venturelytics

Job description

Take a look at this unique job opening at Aqua-Spark. Do you want to join them on their mission to radically change the aquaculture value chain to healthier more sustainable and more accessible production while generating financial returns for their investors.

Aqua-Spark’s mission is to move the global aquaculture industry towards more healthy and sustainable production of blue foods and aquatic materials. Aquaculture is the most efficient and healthiest food system available to mankind, if you do it right. At Aqua-Spark they are investing in companies along the value chain that demonstrate a shared vision of a sustainable future. They are building a holistic ecosystem that demonstrates that healthy and sustainable production brings better financial returns with less risk for all aquaculture stakeholders. Collaborating with value chain participants to motivate industry adoption, causing system change on a global scale.

Through Aqua-Spark Africa, they are expanding this mission across Sub-Saharan Africa. They believe sustainable aquaculture can play a transformative role in improving food security, nutrition, livelihoods, and climate resilience across the continent. Their goal is to help build a thriving African sustainable aquaculture industry by investing in pioneering companies and mobilizing the capital needed to scale them.

Your new challenge

The Development Officer Africa plays a central role in mobilizing the capital needed to build the next generation of sustainable aquaculture companies across Africa. This role focuses on expanding the investor base for the Aqua-Spark Africa Fund, engaging development finance institutions, private investors, and mission-aligned partners who want to help build a resilient and sustainable food system. You thrive on opening doors, building trusted relationships, and translating vision into investment partnerships. You bring both commercial instinct and deep curiosity about how capital can drive meaningful change. This is an opportunity to help shape one of the most promising sustainable food sectors in the world, while building long-term partnerships with investors committed to Africa’s future.

• Identify and cultivate new investment partners for the Aqua-Spark Africa Fund, with a focus on DFIs, family offices, foundations, and mission-aligned investors
• Lead investor engagement from initial outreach through to commitment and long-term relationship management
• Represent Aqua-Spark at industry events, investor forums, and conferences, expanding our network and visibility
• Build trusted partnerships with investors who share our vision for sustainable aquaculture in Africa
• Work closely with leadership to shape fundraising strategy and investor narratives
• Contribute to the development of compelling investor materials and communications
• Maintain and manage the investor pipeline and relationships in CRM system
• Stay at the forefront of developments in sustainable finance, food systems, and aquaculture innovation

Your profile

• At least 5+ years of relevant experience in fundraising, investor relations, or business development in the investment and/or impact space
• Proven track record in bringing in and retaining significant investment relationships
• Demonstrated experience engaging with Development Finance Institutions (DFIs)
• Solid experience working in and across emerging markets, with strong cultural and contextual awareness
• Native-level English speaker with excellent communication and storytelling skills
• Comfortable speaking to senior stakeholders, both one-on-one and in group settings
• Strategic and entrepreneurial mindset with a proactive, hands-on approach
• Solid understanding of fund structures, financial metrics, and the dynamics of capital raising
• Experience with CRM tools (e.g., Salesforce, Venturelytics) and digital communications
• Deep interest in sustainability, impact investing, and Aqua-Spark’s mission
• Willingness to travel internationally
• A genuine care for the planet and ocean

Offer

• 38 days of paid leave.
• A purpose-driven, international work environment.
• A collaborative, values-based team.
• The opportunity to live and work in the Netherlands and experience the amazing Dutch life.

You’ll find yourself working in a challenging international environment collaborating within a growing and great team of professionals!

Interested?