Principal Investment

This role will be in the Corporate Investments & Credit (CIC) Department and the reporting line under Head of CIC & CIO.

About Us

Karandaaz Pakistan is a not-for-profit organization, based out of Islamabad, registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan under Section 42 of the Companies Act 2017. The entity has been seeded by the Enterprise and Asset Growth Programme of the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and our digital finance initiatives are being funded by the Gates Foundation.

Karandaaz is guided by the vision of Investing for Shared Prosperity, and driven by the mission to enhance the capabilities of the financial and digital ecosystem through investments, innovations, and strategic partnerships for inclusive, green, and sustainable growth.

Karandaaz Capital Aims to support the development of a market for MSME financing by deepening access to growth capital for MSMEs that will result in the generation of broad-based employment in Pakistan and financial returns for Karandaaz. Karandaaz makes investments that are categorized into four buckets: Direct Investments, Wholesale Investments, Strategic Investments, and Green Investments. These investments by Karandaaz help develop pilot investment models and identify new investment avenues and generate learning for commercial capital providers.

Position Summary

The Principal Investment role entails leading deal origination, structuring, and execution, with a focus on fostering relationships, conducting due diligence, and driving profitable exits for small and medium-sized enterprises, contributing to sustainable growth and job creation.

Job Responsibilities

Deal Origination

1. Formulate and implement investment strategies, emphasizing targeted sectors.
2. Lead detailed industry analysis (market size and growth, structure and value chain, competitive landscape etc.) for key target industries.
3. Lead deal origination efforts and develop a diversified pipeline.
4. Cultivate relationships with industry contacts, advisors, consultants, accounting firms, lawyers to help drive referral transactions.
5. Develop relationship with C-level executives and business owners in the target industries.

Deal Structuring & Execution

1. Evaluate and execute investment transactions (screening, valuation, structuring, term sheets, negotiations, documentation, value enhancement plan, and exit) to invest growth capital in small and medium-size enterprises with potential for profitable growth and sustainable job creation.
2. Structure equity and quasi equity investments to invest long-term growth capital in small and medium-size enterprises with potential for profitable growth and sustainable job creation.
3. Prepare and present investment committee documentation.
4. Lead the due diligence exercise covering commercial, financial, tax, legal and technical consultants.
5. Develop term-sheets and transaction documents including Shareholder Agreement, Share Subscriptions Agreement, Asset Purchase Agreement, Escrow Agreement and other similar agreements as required.

Post-Deal Value Creation

1. Develop structured value creation plans, engaging sponsors and fostering relationships to effectively enhance portfolio company value.
2. Monitor and track portfolio company performance on a monthly basis and prepare reports for the CIO.
3. Generate annual portfolio performance and impact reports.
4. Under supervision of the CIO, manage and lead transaction terms.

Deal Exits

1. Champion strategic planning, execution, and identification of potential exit avenues for portfolio companies.
2. Assess and optimize portfolio company performance, enhancing value pre-exit.
3. Oversee due diligence processes, identifying key factors impacting successful divestments.
4. Negotiate and execute exit transactions, maximizing returns and ensuring timely exits.
5. Responsible to lead a team of Associates and Analysts and ensure their professional development through coaching, mentoring, shadowing, and empowerment.
6. Assist the CIO in managing and leading transaction teams across all sub-functions of CIC.

Education & Experience

1. Master's level degree or equivalent qualification in Business, Economics, Accounting, or related discipline from a recognized institution.
2. At least 8 years of experience in Principal Investing, Impact Investing, Investment Banking, Corporate Finance, Management Consulting or an M&A group with a recognized national and/or multinational corporation.
3. Experience in originating and executing private equity and/or corporate investment transactions as a principal investor or advisor.
4. Professional exposure of working in Pakistan.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

1. Understanding of a not-for-profit organization.
2. Exceptional knowledge of business finance and financial analysis.
3. Excellent knowledge of impact investing principles and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
4. Good knowledge of accounting regulations.
5. Expert level skill in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and Google Suite.
6. Strong command over oral and written English and Urdu.
7. Strong analytical skills.
8. Strong problem-solving skills.
9. Strong networking and interpersonal skills.
10. Demonstrated teamwork skills.
11. Sound business judgment to identify issues and present creative and practical solutions.
12. Self-starter, motivated to build a high impact investment business for MSMEs in Pakistan.
13. Ability to manage and complete multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines under pressure.

Culture and Values at Karandaaz

Karandaaz Culture is guided by our values of Integrity, Diversity, Entrepreneurship, Appreciation and Learning Acumen (IDEAL). These values shape our choices on what we do and how we do it, both with colleagues internally and partners externally. We also believe that we are all responsible for creating a great place to work and are constantly looking to hire individuals who bring the same level of passion and commitment to the purpose of the organization.

If you believe in the Karandaaz vision and values and feel excited about the work we are offering, please send us your application for this position.

Karandaaz is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications by all population groups.