Investment Director, Infrastructure & Climate Equity Africa and South Asia
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
Team and role overview
The Infrastructure & Climate Equity Africa and South Asia (I&C Equity A/SA) team invests across essential infrastructure sectors including energy, transport, logistics, and utilities through a combination of direct infrastructure equity investments (including greenfield, brownfield, and platform strategies), investments in infrastructure and climate funds, and co-investments alongside partners. The strategy focuses on expanding access to critical infrastructure in underserved markets, supporting sustainable and climate aligned development, and accelerating the energy transition and resilience of economies in emerging markets with a core focus on Africa and South Asia. This team brings together leadership of both direct equity investing and funds investing, ensuring a fully integrated approach across investment channels to maximise development impact, financial returns, and strategic alignment within BII’s Infrastructure & Climate Group.
Purpose
The Investment Director will have a key role in the I&C Equity team, working to expand BII’s capacity to deliver high quality, impactful direct equity, fund and co-investments. This role will involve leading the origination, structuring, execution and portfolio management of complex transactions across Africa and South Asia (ex India), in key infrastructure & climate sectors, with a strong focus on both commercial robustness and development impact.
The Director will lead and coordinate all aspects of transaction work, including deal selection, due diligence, structuring, negotiation and portfolio management, managing internal deal teams as well as external stakeholders such as clients, lenders and advisors. In addition, the Director will contribute to the development of BII’s business alongside senior team members and will support the rollout and execution of key projects and initiatives, identifying and delivering investment opportunities across portfolio companies.
Responsibilities
Market Intelligence & New Business
- Lead origination of new equity, fund and co-investment opportunities by developing and maintaining a network of relevant contacts including relationships with private equity funds, other investment funds, commercial banks, DFIs, advisors and clients. This includes proactive business development, collaboration with colleagues across BII, and participation in industry forums to enhance BII’s visibility.
- Contribute to market mapping and targeted origination strategies to focus on priority sectors and geographies and develop innovative financing approaches to address market gaps.
- Develop high-quality marketing and pitch materials that clearly communicate BII’s investment priorities and credit risk appetite.
- Prepare and present high quality investment proposals through BII’s investment process.
Investment Execution and Evaluation:
- Lead the screening, prioritisation, evaluation and execution of investment opportunities in line with BII’s mandate and strategy. Take full responsibility for deal delivery, including coordinating internal deal teams, managing external stakeholders and overseeing all due diligence streams (commercial, financial, technical, legal, ESG and impact). This includes conducting and/or reviewing the equity thesis, sector, competitor, company and macroeconomic analysis, financial modelling, management assessment and identifying key risks with appropriate mitigants.
- Structure and negotiate transaction terms with prospective investees and funds, working closely with co-investors and legal advisors as appropriate to deliver best in class documentation covering investor rights and obligations, reporting, management structure and incentive arrangements as applicable.
- Prepare and present high-quality investment papers for the Investment Committee, and manage closing, conditions precedent and disbursement processes to ensure timely execution.
- Lead and mentor deal teams, supporting the development of junior colleagues and ensuring high standards of analysis and execution. Work collaboratively with internal specialist teams (e.g. Legal, Impact Group and Development Impact) and maintain regular engagement with the Head of team on deal progress and team development.
Portfolio Management:
- Ensure effective portfolio management post-disbursement, identifying and deploying BII’s decision rights and points of influence to ensure the direction of BII’s investments is aligned as far as possible with BII’s objectives (whether commercial, developmental and/or ESG), operating through board seats, formal reserved matters and personal relationships as the case may be.
- Identifying early warning signals and reporting as appropriate to the PRM / Investment Committee.
- Leading liquidity/exit processes to realise value and maximise commercial and developmental returns for BII.
Leadership, Management & Strategy:
- Lead, manage and develop junior team members, setting priorities and fostering a strong, collaborative culture.
- Attract and retain top talent while ensuring effective execution of team strategy and objectives.
- Support the Head to develop the existing I&C Equity and Funds strategy across Geographies and sectors.
The candidate
Background, skills, aptitude
Successful candidates will have proven experience in private equity, fund of funds, or a similar investment environment like a DFI.
Essential skills/background:
- University degree, a master’s in finance, Economics, Corporate Finance, accounting degree or equivalent or a CFA, ACA or MBA would be an additional advantage.
- Significant direct equity investing experience from private equity/investment funds, DFIs or similar.
- Direct investing experience, including leading transactions from origination, through execution and portfolio management in some (preferably all) of the following:
- Transport, trade & logistics assets, which could include ports (container and/or bulk), special economic zones, dry ports/inland container depots, cold chain, border posts, logistics companies, road and/or rail assets.
- Regulated infrastructure assets
- Africa and/or South Asia investing, with an established network and understanding of the cultural nuances of investing in different emerging markets
Functional skills would include:
- Strong valuation, financial modelling and structuring skills and the ability to assess risks and exercise sound commercial judgement; experience with innovative structures is a plus
- analytical and execution skills, with the ability to manage multiple transactions under tight deadlines
- Proven leadership and team management experience, including mentoring junior team members and leading deal teams
- Excellent communication and relationship building skills across internal and external stakeholders
Desired skills:
- Additional language skills relevant to the markets (e.g. French, Portuguese) are advantageous
Candidates should be strongly motivated by BII’s development mission and ideally demonstrate some commitment to development or social goals through previous executive or non-executive activity.
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.