Job Opportunity for Investment Research Associate at British High Commission in New Delhi

Website British High Commission

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)  

Main purpose of job:

Delivering the UK’s bilateral objectives with India through private sector investment programmes.

About UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO):

How we approach our work is important. The How We Work Statement (below) sets out the ambition we share across the FCDO for how we lead and behave towards each other, how we make decisions, and how we get the job done. Some aspects may be particularly relevant to this role. 

•    We put respect and kindness first. We are inclusive, we get to know each other, and value our diversity and the contribution we each bring. We are fair, act with integrity, and tackle inequality and unacceptable behaviour. We work together and take responsibility to solve problems.

•    We draw on the expertise, insight and diverse perspectives of people across the FCDO, HMG, and beyond. We use the best available data and evidence. We are open to challenge and take a sustainable, long-term approach. We are transparent about the rationale for decisions and smart about taking and managing risks.  

•    We are agile and alert to emerging opportunities. We encourage learning, innovation and use of data and digital. We are all clear on what we are expected to deliver and support each other in doing so. We look to reduce duplication and unnecessary process. We are committed to transforming both the FCDO and the way HMG delivers international policy.

Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve?

The FCDO unites development and diplomacy in a single department. The British High Commission, New Delhi is responsible for managing all aspects of the UK’s relationship with India. A “2030 Roadmap for India-UK future relations” agreed between the UK and India lays the foundation of the bilateral relationship across various themes. These include areas such as Trade, Invesment and Prosperity; Climate and British Investment Partnerships; Science, Technology & Health, Defence & Security and Connecting our People. The roadmap envisions a partnership that delivers for both countries in areas of mutual interest. Our development cooperation in India is driven by UK Government’s strategy for International Development (IDS), which commits to deliver investments through British Investment Partnerships and be inclusive in its approach. It lays emphasis on taking forward UK’s leadership in climate change, nature and global health.

We are looking for a professional with good financial acumen and understanding of Indian corporate and capital markets. Applicants should expect to be flexible and adaptable in filling and taking forward the role as emerges within the FCDO. The British Government is committed to equality and strongly encourages applications from diverse backgrounds to enhance the ability of the UK mission in India to deliver its mission. 

About Team and Portfolio:

FCDO’s Development, Climate, Science and Tech department has the following teams (i) Science and Innovation Network & Newton and Technology Team (ii) The Climate and Energy Team (ii) The Infrastructure and Urban Team and (iv) The Capital team 

The current vacancy is in the Capital team. The Capital team’s work focuses on partnering with the private sector through impact investments to support: 

•    Energy & climate for green growth. 

•    Small infrastructure, micro, small and medium enterprises. 

•    Tech start-ups & innovations.

•    Global Partnerships with other developing countries to take India’s innovations global

The overall portfolio amounts to c.£330m across geography and sectors. The portfolio uses investments (or Development Capital ‘DevCap’) to support businesses that can open new markets, encourage new investors, promote inclusion and maximize impact on sustainability development goals & poverty reduction. The programmes also have small amounts of technical assistance for supporting compliance (legal, tax etc) and ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) standards).  

The post will be based at the British High Commission in Chanakyapuri, New Delhi. 

Main Job responsibilities include: 

Capital markets – policy and analysis. This includes:

  • Providing market research and analysis on relevant sectors and companies, including market mapping, comparator analysis, and financial flows through multilaterals, bilateral and other institutional investors to help develop in depth understanding of challenges & opportunities
  • Keeping abreast of international best practices and emerging policy areas in the UK’s priority sectors and on standards including on climate and energy and technology for development
  • Thought leadership for the UK to be at the cutting edge of pioneering investments and building markets & standards
  • Building relationships with a range of development financial institutions and multilaterals, and institutional investors, domestic and international on relevant areas.

Portfolio monitoring and reporting. This includes:

  • Leading effort to manage and monitor financial health and development impact of the capital portfolio, ensuring that strategic objectives are attained; and providing broader industry and best practice perspective into individual programme risks and issues
  • Coordinating the impact measurement and ESG assessment of FCDO’s impact fund portfolio.
  • Ensuring quality and consistency of reports and outgoing communications related to portfolio management and communications. 

Investment and Programme Management:

  • Actively support the Private Sector Development Adviser and Programme Manager in managing existing investment programmes as per the business needs. 
  • Corporate: Actively support the team in
  • Writing briefings for senior stakeholders and policy notes
  • Relationship management with the external stakeholders including Indian government officials, industry associations and thinktanks
  • Review, screen and prepare relevant business documents, presentations, and reports to convey persuasive and convincing ideas to internal and external stakeholders in line with internal guidelines  

Essential qualifications, skills and experience  Qualifications: 

First degree in a relevant subject (Commerce, Management, Finance, Engineering or an equivalent) and/or a master’s degree (such as an MBA) or equivalent work experience that demonstrates a similar level of understaing and knowledge in business and financial management

Skills and Experience: 

Minimum of 3 years’ work experience in banking, consulting or another fast-paced, analytical, knowledge-based work environment that demonstrates:  

i)  Technial expertise in areas as set out below:  

•    Industry research, capital market and business analysis: attention to detail and quality, thoughtful scenario analysis, and diligence in the quality of one’s own work.

•    Analysis of various policy frameworks including corporate, regulatory e.g., SEBI AIF, financial and sustainability e.g., ESG 

•    Experience in impact investments and in particular green businesses, infrastructure & services, technology for development is preferable

•    Strong analytical skills to review and analyse complex financial information and data analysis (e.g., PowerPoint, excel) are a pre-requisite

•    Keen desire to learn about new & emerging industry segments

ii) Soft skills as set out below: 

•    Demonstrated strong written, presentation, and communications skills in English and ability to synthesize and present information effectively and tailored to different and senior audiences 

•    High degree of diplomacy and sensitivity in managing relationships with internal and external stakeholders within the UK Government and external partners

•    Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work across teams and across cultures 

•    Discretion in handling confidential and sensitive information. Actively taking initiatives contributing to the UK’s bilateral objectives in India.

Required behaviours  Seeing the Big Picture, Delivering at Pace, Communicating and Influencing, Working Together

Application deadline  1 January 2023
Type of Position  Permanent
Region  South Asia & Afghanistan
Country/Territory  India
Location (City)  New Delhi
Type of Post  British High Commission Office
Number of vacancies  1
Salary Currency  INR
Salary  13,25,811
Start Date  1 March 2023

Other benefits and conditions of employment  Expenditure:  Responsible for meeting milestones on expenditure and finance; liaise with Fund Managers to be on top of financial reports (e.g., statement of accounts, budgets and forecasting); ensuring compliance with internal rules and requirements on financial management with support from programme managers.  

Other benefits and conditions of employment:

The BHC is recognised as a good employer, with a robust, fair and transparent performance management & appraisal system linked to increments and staff bonuses. We have a 5-day working week, plus annual leave, public holidays, maternity leave provision, special leave, paid sick leave provision; ample development opportunities, travel opportunities, a good organisational culture, and excellent work/life balance. 

Around half of our work forces are women.  We treat people with respect and equality and have a policy of zero tolerance for any form of discrimination, bullying, or harassment. 

This is a good opportunity to be part of a strong, diverse team, working in the biggest network that FCDO has anywhere across the globe.  We are aiming to make it the best.

To apply for this job please visit fco.tal.net.