View Vacancy – Investment Research and Policy Lead, Grade – SEO, New Delhi

Note: All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the complete online application form including the employment and educational details, experience segment and the behaviour-based questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the application forms only for all the required details. Forms that are incomplete in any respect will not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage.

Main purpose of job:

Delivering the UK’s bilateral objectives with India through private sector investment programmes.

About UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)

The FCDO is the UK government department leading the UK’s diplomatic, development and consular work around the world.  This includes pursuing UK’s national interests and projecting the UK as a force for good in the world.  We work in the UK and in 178 countries and territories.

How we approach our work is important. The How We Work Statement (below) sets out the ambition we share across the FCDO for how we lead and behave towards each other, how we make decisions, and how we get the job done. Some aspects may be particularly relevant to this role.

• We put respect and kindness first. We are inclusive, we get to know each other, and value our diversity and the contribution we each bring. We are fair, act with integrity, and tackle inequality and unacceptable behaviour. We work together and take responsibility to solve problems.
• We draw on the expertise, insight and diverse perspectives of people across the FCDO, HMG, and beyond. We use the best available data and evidence. We are open to challenge and take a sustainable, long-term approach. We are transparent about the rationale for decisions and smart about taking and managing risks.
• We are agile and alert to emerging opportunities. We encourage learning, innovation and use of data and digital. We are all clear on what we are expected to deliver and support each other in doing so. We look to reduce duplication and unnecessary process. We are committed to transforming both the FCDO and the way HMG delivers international policy.

We reserve the right to review, revise or amend the roles and responsibilities from time to time reflecting the changing needs of business.

Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve:

The British High Commission, New Delhi is responsible for managing all aspects of the UK’s relationship with India. The UK and India share a strong bilateral relationship across various themes. These include areas such as Trade, Investment and Prosperity; Climate and Economic Development and Partnerships; Science, Technology & Health, Defence & Security and Connecting our People.

We seek a qualified professional with good financial acumen and understanding of Indian corporate and capital markets. Applicants should expect to be flexible and adaptable in filling and taking forward the role. The FCDO is committed to equality and strongly encourages applications from diverse backgrounds.

About Team and Portfolio

FCDO’s Development, Climate, Science and Tech department has following teams (i) Science and Innovation Network & Newton and Technology Team (ii)  The Climate and Energy Team  (ii) The Reslient Infrastructure and Climate Adaptation Team and (iv) The Investment Capital Team

The current vacancy is in the Investment Capital team. The team’s work focuses on partnering with the private sector to support :

• Energy & climate for green growth in sectors like clmate adpatation and emerging mitigation
• Small infrastructure, micro, small and medium enterprises with a focus on inclusion
• Tech start ups & innovations that deliver for development
• Global Partnerships with other developing countries to take India’s innovations global

The existing investment portfolio amounts to c.£350m across geography and sectors. The portfolio uses investments (or Development Capital ‘DevCap’) to invest in impact funds which in turn invest into businesses that can open new markets, encourage new investors, promote inclusion and support poverty reduction. The programmes also have small amounts of technical assistance for supporting compliance (legal, tax etc.) and ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) standards. There is high integration with work across other HMG departments (including working closely with other teams on trade, policy initiatives, economic development and Deputy High Commissions). 

The post will be based at the British High Commission in Chanakyapuri, New Delhi.

Main Job responsibilities include:

1. Investment – policy and analysis

• Market research and analysis on relevant sectors including sectoral mapping, comparator analysis, and financial flows through multilaterals, bilateral and other institutional investors to help develop in depth understanding of challenges & opportunities.
• Keeping abreast of best practices and emerging policy areas in the UK’s priority sectors and on standards including in climate adaption, clean energy and technology for development.
• Thought leadership for the UK to be at the cutting edge of pioneering investments and building markets & standards.

2. Investment and Programme Management

• Actively support the Private Sector Development Adviser(s) in managing existing investment programmes as per the business needs.
• Write discrete pieces of analysis on sectors, briefings for senior stakeholders and policy notes to help develop in depth understanding of challenges and opportunities. Inform and influence FCDO strategies in India in a sector or a thematic area such as climate, energy, and technology for development.
• Providing industry perspective and best practices into programme strategy and delivery.

3. Stakeholder engagement and collaboration:

• Building relationships with a range of development financial institutions, multilaterals, and institutional investors, domestic and international to support investments.
• Contribute to the UK’s objectives with India and work collaboratively with colleagues in the network, Deputy High Commissions and other investment vehicles supported by the UK e.g. British International Investment and others.
• Senior contact for the relationship with Government of India, Ministry of Finance and the Department for Economic Affairs, working with other departments within the UK and India on bilateral priorities.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

Staff: None. Needs can evolve over time as per business needs.

Expenditure:  Responsible for meeting milestones on expenditure and finance; liasioning with Fund Managers to be on top of financial reports (e.g. statement of accounts, budgets and forecasting); ensuring compliance with internal rules and requirements on financial management with support from programme managers. 

Language requirements:
Language: English
Level of language required: Read, Write and Speak

Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):

The candidate will be provided induction training. S/he will also have the opportunity to undertake job related internal trainings

Working patterns:

Full time – 40 Hours a week

Flexibility to work from home according to office rules as applicable from time to time

Qualifications:

First degree in a relevant subject (Economics, Management, Finance, Engineering) and a Master’s degree (such as an MBA) or equivalent work experience that demonstrates a similar level of managerial and technical expertise in private sector, with financial instruments and investments.

Skills and Experience:

Minimum of 9 years work experience including work in investments, lending, consulting, investment research or knowledge-based work environment that demonstrates: 

i) Exposure to finance and investment research, in areas as set out below:

• Industry research, capital market and business analysis with attention to detail and quality, with thoughtful scenario analysis.
• Experience of Impact Investments, Private equity, Venture Capital or Investment Banking or Transaction Advisory or Lending with familiarity of financial statements, investment documents and investor reports with be an added advantage
• Thematic areas: Experience of working in sectors which positively impact climate such as clean energy, technology & innovation and/or other sectors which have potential for development impact
• Awareness of issues that govern inclusive economic development (e.g. job creation for poor and marginalised) and investments. Understanding of ESG practices and their application to businesses, risk-management, impact measurement and investment reforms

ii) Managerial expertise with a strong track record in:

• Strong writing and oral communication skills in English to senior audiences (e.g. Ministers or writing to C-level officials in the private sector)
• Ability to communicate and influence a wide range of audiences, within the UK Government and to engage with and influence external partners
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with and across teams
• Strong IT and data analysis skills are a pre-requisite