Independent Investment Committee Member (Agriculture Investing)

Department: Investment

Location: Africa

Description

Allied Talent Partners (ATP), a Three Cairns Group initiative, is a mission-driven, not-for-profit talent marketplace focused on solving the human capital bottlenecks slowing down sustainable development efforts in emerging economies, with an initial focus on Africa. ATP connects vetted, experienced, context-relevant professionals to high-impact opportunities in energy access and sustainable development – strengthening local capacity and fuelling economic vitality. We specialize in fixed-term, deliverable-driven engagements – from interim leadership and generalist projects to niche technical expertise – handling project scoping, talent vetting and matching, contracting, payroll, and compliance so that our clients can focus on impact.

High-Level Overview

A pan-African climate-focused investment platform is seeking to appoint experienced Independent Investment Committee (IC) Members to provide strategic investment oversight and governance support across its investment activities in Africa.

The platform invests in early-stage and growth-oriented businesses addressing climate resilience and sustainability challenges across sectors such as climate-smart agriculture and food systems, energy access, financial inclusion, water, waste management, and climate technology.

The IC will play a critical role in reviewing investment opportunities, assessing risks, challenging assumptions constructively, and supporting disciplined investment decision-making. This is an independent, part-time appointment suited to senior professionals with strong African investing experience and deep sector expertise across climate-smart agriculture, food systems, climate investing, venture capital, private equity, development finance, or operational leadership.

Strong preference will be given to individuals who are Africa-based and have significant experience in climate-smart agriculture across African markets. Candidates should not have material conflicts of interest with the platform’s investment activities.

Role and Responsibilities

Role: Independent Investment Committee Member
Direct Report: Fund Manager / Board of Directors
Candidates Required: 1

Key Deliverables:

• Attend scheduled Investment Committee meetings and ad hoc investment review sessions.
• Review investment memos, due diligence findings, financial models, ESG assessments, and portfolio updates.
• Provide strategic guidance and constructive challenge on investment opportunities across climate adaptation and resilience sectors.
• Support investment decision-making processes through independent assessment of risk, commercial viability, developmental impact, and execution considerations.
• Advise on governance, investment discipline, portfolio construction, and investment strategy.
• Contribute sector expertise and market insight across African climate and agriculture ecosystems.
• Support the evolution of the fund’s investment processes, diligence frameworks, and governance practices where relevant.
• Provide occasional advisory input on broader portfolio or ecosystem opportunities where aligned.
  
  

Requirements

Experience Required:

• Significant experience in venture capital, private equity, impact investing, development finance, or entrepreneurial leadership.
• Strong experience investing in, advising, or operating businesses across African markets.
• Demonstrated experience investing in, advising, or scaling businesses operating across agriculture, food systems, agribusiness, agricultural value chains, or agricultural technology.
• Previous experience serving on investment committees, credit committees, advisory boards, or governance bodies.
• Strong understanding of market investing dynamics and operational realities in Africa.
• Familiarity with early-stage investing, venture scaling, and founder support models is strongly preferred.

Technical Requirements:

• Strong execution and performance management capability
• Ability to establish practical governance, reporting, and accountability mechanisms
• Sound commercial judgment across varied business environments
• Ability to quickly identify delivery gaps and operational bottlenecks
• Pragmatic approach to driving action and maintaining execution momentum

Other Skills:

• Strategic thinker with strong commercial judgment and independence.
• High integrity and ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Collaborative and constructive communication style.
• Ability to engage thoughtfully with founders, investors, and fellow committee members.
• Comfortable operating in fast-paced, entrepreneurial, and evolving investment environments.

Working Arrangement
Location: Remote
Travel:Occasional travel for annual in-person IC meetings or strategic retreats

Terms of agreement:
Start Date: Immediate
Contracting Period: 5-year team