Impact Investment Senior Researcher

Krutham; Sandton; On-site; ZAR 300 000 - 400 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research and advisory firm is seeking an Impact Senior Researcher in Gauteng, South Africa. This role involves leading research on development finance and impact investing while engaging with various stakeholders. Ideal candidates should have 5-10 years of experience in research, a Bachelor's degree in finance or related fields, and strong writing and project management skills. The position offers a competitive salary and flexible benefits, aligning with the firm’s mission to drive social impact.

Benefits

Competitive remuneration package

Professional development support

Insurance cover and flexible benefits

Qualifications

• 5-10 years of experience in producing high-quality research.
• 3-5 years in investment analysis, corporate finance, or related fields.
• Experience with or supporting DFIs in emerging markets.

Responsibilities

• Lead research projects on social-economy trends and sector performance.
• Produce high-quality reports and case studies.
• Engage with stakeholders and represent the company in various forums.

Skills

Research skills

Writing skills

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in finance, Economics, or related field

Postgraduate degree or CFA Level I+

Job description

About Krutham

Krutham is a leading research and advisory firm pioneering financial solutions for social impact in emerging markets. We work with clients spanning the full spectrum of capital – from global investors and asset managers to philanthropic foundations – developing innovative approaches that prove financial systems can be a powerful force for good.

Operating from offices in Johannesburg, London, and Cape Town, our team of MBAs, CFA charterholders, and PhDs combines deep financial sector expertise with rigorous social economy insight to deliver research and advisory services that shape markets and drive meaningful change.

The Opportunity

The Impact Senior Researcher plays a central role in Krutham’s work at the intersection of finance and the wider social economy. This position is responsible for leading research into current and emerging topics in development finance, impact investing, policy, catalytic capital structuring and contributing to market‑shaping advisory work.

The role requires excellent research and writing skills, and the ability to engage with philanthropies, DFIs, policymakers, ecosystem intermediaries and enterprises operating in the impact economy, across multiple geographies. This individual will be expected to operate with intellectual independence, analytical depth, and professional maturity.

Core responsibilities

The role delivers outcomes across the following domains:

Social Economy Research & Thought Leadership

• Lead research projects that analyse social‑economy trends, sector performance, barriers, and opportunities.
• Produce high‑quality reports, policy briefs, white papers, investment notes, case studies, and market assessments.
• Build subject‑matter expertise in catalytic capital, blended finance, impact measurement and monitoring, and impact ecosystem development.
• Contribute to Krutham’s strategic insights platforms, newsletters, and knowledge hubs.
• Represent Krutham in conferences, stakeholder meetings, roundtables, industry working groups, and media engagements where appropriate.
• Develop new conceptual models, frameworks and methodologies to strengthen Krutham’s intellectual capital.

Internal Collaboration, Leadership & Capacity Building

• Work closely with analysts, researchers, subject‑matter experts and project managers across the group.
• Mentor analysts and interns, providing coaching and quality review where required.
• Support proposal development, bid writing, and client presentations.
• Contribute to internal discussions on product development and service enhancement.
• Champion Krutham’s values, research excellence, and data‑driven culture.

Required Technical Skills

Research & Writing

• Ability to produce rigorous, data‑driven research outputs.
• Experience with qualitative and quantitative research methods.
• Strong ability to synthesise complex information for diverse audiences, including policymakers and investors.
• Clear, concise, high‑quality writing skills.

Advisory & Stakeholder Engagement

• Ability to engage credibly with philanthropies, development partners, DFIs, policymakers and other ecosystem actors.
• Strong presentation skills.
• Experience facilitating meetings, workshops and board/exco‑level sessions.

Operational & Project Management

• Ability to manage multiple workstreams across different clients and countries.
• Strong organisational discipline, detail orientation, and execution capability.
• Comfort working under pressure and managing shifting priorities

Required Experience

• 5-10 years’ experience of producing high‑quality research, economic analysis, or sector reports.
• 3–5 years in investment analysis, corporate finance, development finance, SME lending, or impact investing.
• Experience working with or supporting DFIs or philanthropies in emerging markets.

Desirable Experience

• Experience within DFIs, impact investors, funds, corporates, or donor‑funded programmes
• Experience engaging with cross‑border or multi‑country projects
• Familiarity with the Southern African or East African development or social‑economy ecosystem.
• Exposure to catalytic capital, blended‑finance, impact reporting or impact measurement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, Economics, Accounting, Development Finance, Public Policy, or related field (required).
• Postgraduate degree (Master’s, MBA, MCom, MDevFin, etc.) or CFA Level I+ (required).
• PhD in related field an advantage.
• Additional certifications in impact investing, impact measurement and monitoring or financial modelling beneficial.

Behaviours & Competencies

• Analytical and structured thinker who integrates financial, strategic, and developmental dimensions.
• Ability to work with complex research methods and meet the highest research standards.
• High attention to accuracy and intellectual rigour.
• Professional maturity and discretion when managing confidential information.
• Collaborative, supportive team player with a proactive problem‑solving mindset.
• Ability to work independently and handle ambiguity in dynamic environments.
• Strong commitment to impact, integrity, and evidence‑based research output.

Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Performance will be measured against:

• Quality and timeliness of research outputs.
• Thought‑leadership outputs and representation
• Internal collaboration and mentoring contributions
• Stakeholder satisfaction (clients, partners, other social impact ecosystem role players)

Why This Role Matters

This role is central to Krutham’s mission to strengthen markets, enable inclusive development, and drive catalytic investment. The individual in this position will help shape South Africa’s (and the region’s) social‑economy landscape and influence real‑world capital flows and policy outcomes.

Package

• Competitive remuneration package combining base salary and performance‑based incentives, commensurate with experience and seniority
• Benefits including insurance cover, with flexibility to structure medical aid and pension arrangements
• Professional development support and opportunities to represent the firm internationally

Our Standards

Krutham maintains exceptionally high standards. We seek individuals who combine technical excellence with strategic thinking, commercial acumen with genuine commitment to impact, and the confidence to lead with the humility to collaborate. If this describes you, we welcome your application.

Application process

To apply:

Submit a CV (max three pages) and a letter of motivation setting out what you will bring to Krutham and why you are the candidate we are looking for.

Application deadline:

10 February 2026

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and the position may be filled before the closing date if exceptional candidates are identified.