Head of Pakistan

Head of Pakistan

About BII

British International Investment (BII) is the UK's leading development finance institution, wholly owned by the UK Government. Our primary mission is to address global development challenges through strategic investments that promote sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

BII focuses on catalysing economic development, creating jobs, and building resilient economies in some of the world's most complex and underserved markets. We invest in businesses and projects that prioritise inclusive development, environmental sustainability, and innovation.

Our approach is characterised by rigorous investment standards, high governance principles, and a commitment to delivering measurable development impact. Our team consists of highly skilled and passionate professionals dedicated to making a tangible difference globally.

We foster a collaborative and intellectually stimulating work environment that values curiosity, innovation, and professional growth. Our culture balances high performance with a strong emphasis on wellbeing, ensuring our employees can achieve their full potential while contributing to our mission.

BII at a glance:

Over 75 years supporting sustainable business growth in developing and emerging markets

More than £9.9 billion in net assets

1,600+ businesses invested in

950,000+ workers in the businesses we support

650+ people in our diverse global team

3 key development objectives: Productive | Sustainable | Inclusive

Purpose 

In Asia, BII currently has offices in India (Mumbai and Bengaluru), Pakistan, Singapore and Bangladesh. These offices are complemented by a Country Representative in Nepal. The role being recruited for will be accountable for Pakistan, as Country Head.

   The key objectives of the role are: 

Reporting to the MD and Head of Asia who is a BII ExCo member, the Head of Pakistan will lead BII's business prospects in Pakistan working with the investment teams to advise how to invest our capital in line with our development impact goals, and catalyse the development of the private sector, in line with BII's five-year strategic plan and Sector MD's annual plans; Deepen BII's origination efforts across sectors and products; Support the portfolio management of Pakistan investments; Continue to lead the Pakistan based team of Investment and Coverage employees Lead delivery of the country's Annual Business Plan 

The team 

BII has 3 team members in Pakistan focused on Coverage and Investment. They partner closely with Investment and Impact teams in the London office. 

BII has been investing in Pakistan for a number of years, with the first investment dating back to 1988 when it backed leading companies including Engro Chemicals, Fauji Fertilizer and Hub Power. Today, BII has investments and commitments of over $350 million in more than 10 businesses in the country. Its investments span several high-impact sectors such as financial services, infrastructure, food and agriculture, and Pakistan's growing venture capital market. 

Pakistan is a priority market for BII where it sees considerable opportunities for its patient and flexible capital to be deployed at scale, to support the private sector that helps to deliver economic growth by creating jobs and improving access to goods and services that benefit communities. To help bridge the financing gap for private sector businesses, BII will continue to back local financial institutions that expand access to finance for promising entrepreneurs and local businesses that are contributing to inclusive and productive economic growth. 

Responsibilities 

Lead the Pakistan based team through direct and indirect line management including active engagement in development of talent and recruitment where needed; Create strong networks across sectors, the business, investment and impact communities and develop and maintain local relationships with Investment Bankers, FCDO, the World Bank and other DFIs; Look for opportunities to promote South - South cooperation (i.e., within the Asian region and Asia-Africa). Align all initiatives in consultation with Asia Head's objectives. Have regular sessions on strategy, deployment and exit progress. Manage costs for BIAL and lead on budget discussion; 

Expand Coverage in Pakistan: 

Build and lead a team that can develop and maintain strong relationships with the business, investment and impact communities. e.g., our portfolio companies, GPs/their portfolio companies, other businesses, government, regulators, etc.;Provide broad and wide-ranging in market perspective and advice to relevant colleagues such as Investment teams and CIO Office including but not limited to individual's backgrounds, local perceptions, cultural issues that should be considered, relevant historic matters, views of regulators, politics and economic trends Advise on and contribute meaningful insights into Pakistan focused investment committee discussions Develop and maintain relationship with local FCDO offices across Pakistan, understanding their activities/plans/strategies. Helping them understand BII's activities and strategies (with a focus on our impact approach) and look for potential areas for mutual support; In addition, the Pakistan head will be responsible for external brand building and communication of our impact (beyond the business community) Responsible for delivery of investment targets as outlined in the 5-year periodic strategic plan. 

Origination 

Work closely with the Investment and Impact teams to understand their requirements with a view to sourcing local opportunities that will fit their strategies; Support funds team in identifying potential GPs as required. Deal execution: as required by investment teams such as, providing support to the Investment teams on transactions, whether assessing a GP's local teams, local perceptions, etc to support the funds teams or assessing local businesses/partners, debottlenecking execution related issues and understanding of the business models in support of direct debt and equity investments. Develop a network that can provide BII with genuine local insight (for DD, etc.), and Executives/NEDs/Advisers who can support the needs of the sector teams; Participate in local events/seminars to promote BII's interests. Support Portfolio Management As required by the investment teams, take on board positions for portfolio companies; Navigate and support investment teams towards timely exits; Act as local eyes and ears, and have meetings as required, to support the aims of the Investment heads; To support the investment and Impact teams in implementation of BII's DI/ESG/BI action plan as agreed in investment committees. Guide the investment and Impact teams with regard to visits from colleagues from London and other regions. 

The candidate 

Background, skills, aptitude 

Recognised and respected within the investment industry for making high quality investments (equity or debt or both) and showing excellent investment judgment, preferably in the mid-sized ticket deals of c$25 to 50m. Extremely well networked and respected amongst the business partners. 

Proven Investment track record: 

Robust background and extensive experience investing within South Asia and emerging markets Significant experience as a senior transactor and end to end deal experience (origination through to exit) Deep and long record of investing in private companies; Likely to have private equity or credit experience and ideally both; Experience of impact investment; Experience in Pakistan and ideally across Asia or emerging markets in general. 

A global perspective:

Able to understand macro-economic cycles (economic and investing) with a record of adjusting investment priorities and objectives accordingly. 

Strategic leadership: 

Evidence of clarity of thought in a complex world (where to invest, what to invest in and 

when) and articulating the same to BII's IC, Exco and Board; 

Must be able to build strong relationships with other DFIs, World Bank, ADB and FCDO; Strong influencing and people management skills in a multi-cultural organisation and with key external stakeholders. 

An aptitude for: 

Risk management; Strategic thinking (value creation thesis) on individual transactions; problem solving Quality due diligence; Deal/pricing/investment cycle discipline. 

Candidates should be strongly motivated by BII's development mission. This requires: 

An awareness of and appreciation for BII's objectives, and to be strongly motivated by these 

aims; 

The highest degree of moral and ethical standards and commitment to BII's business 

integrity standards; 

A history of working with 'best in class' employers in their respective fields; Having clear understanding and intent to achieve diversity, clean climate, safeguarding. 

Required Professional Competencies 

Ability to mentor investment professionals Highly analytical with ability to communicate in a measured and effective manner; Exceptionally high standards which they are able to communicate in a structured way; Gravitas to generate high level of respect internally and externally with key stakeholders. 

Our cultural values 

We look for team members who aspire, as we do, to work at our best and to be: 

Impact-led, commercially rigorous Tenacious in the face of challenges Collaborative and caring  

British International Investment is committed to diversity and inclusion and welcomes all applicants regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation or educational background.   

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