The Ford Foundation’s Mission Investments team was established to invest the foundation’s capital to help solve some of the world’s greatest social problems and manages three pools of capital: a $1 billion mission related investment (MRI) fund from the endowment, the largest commitment of its kind, which seeks to achieve strong impact and financial returns
across five thematic strategies: affordable housing, diverse fund managers, financial inclusion, global health tech and quality jobs; a $350 million program related investment (PRI) fund designed to catalyze investments in markets and opportunities often overlooked by traditional investors; and a grant making initiative designed to build and strengthen the infrastructure of the impact investing market and promote a more inclusive system of capitalism. Underpinning all Mission Investments activity is the fundamental belief that diversity, equity and inclusion are necessary to achieve progress and innovation in business, society, the capital markets and capitalism itself.
Responsibilities, including but not limited to:
Engage in and support investment due diligence activities, including meeting with fund managers and investors, and recordkeeping
Produce investment memos on investment funds, including financial and social impact analysis
Assist in investment portfolio operational matters such as information collection, monitoring of investment performance, and tracking of impact investment opportunities
Contribute to in-depth assessments of topical impact issue areas to understand the investment landscape
Research the impact investing landscape in the Ford Foundation’s global footprint: Africa, China, India, Indonesia and other parts of southeast Asia, Latin America, the Middle East
Conduct research for, and produce drafts of articles, papers and reports
Conduct research on industry and sector trends
Prepare presentations for Trustee meetings, external audiences and on impact investment themes
Remain abreast of industry trends, regulatory matters, best practices, and market events with respect to operational due diligence
Support team communications and learning
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent experience, with a minimum of 1 year of professional experience
Commitment to social justice and impact investing
Demonstrated research and analytical skills
Proven aptitude for quantitative and qualitative analysis
Strong oral and written communication skills
Exceptional interpersonal skills
At least one year of experience in banking, investments, management consulting, investment research, or a field that involves significant analytical work or a more experienced professional exploring a transition to a career in impact investing
Advanced skills in Microsoft Office (i.e., Word, PowerPoint and Excel)
Preferred Qualifications:
Two years’ experience
Basic understanding of impact investing, and or Environmental, Social & Governance framework
