Acumen Fund

Acumen Fund is a global non-profit venture capital fund, focused on supporting the delivery of critical goods and services at affordable prices to the four billion people earning less than four dollars a day in India, Pakistan, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Acumen Fund seeks to prove that targeted investments, combined with large doses of business acumen, can build thriving enterprises that serve vast numbers of the poor. Its country offices in India, Pakistan and Kenya work closely with the New York team to identify and support local social enterprises. Through our investments we address problems of poverty using market based approaches, demonstrating that there is a role for patient capital, intensive management assistance, and knowledge sharing at the base of the pyramid. Acumen Fund has successfully impacted over 10 million lives so far, through over $35 million invested in South Asia and Africa
(More at: www.acumenfund.org).

Acumen Fund India:
First established in January 2006, Acumen Fund’s India office has grown to 10 professionals managing a portfolio of approximately $18 million in investments in enterprises that serve the poor. Our goal in 2009 is to grow the portfolio to $ 25 million in investments and focus on the management assistance support we provide our investments
Acumen’s Health portfolio is the largest both globally and in India, with approximately $10 MM in investments under management in India to date. Our investments in healthcare seek to improve access to high-quality, low-cost healthcare for the poor and range from providing maternal healthcare to emergency medical services.

Position Description
The hire will directly be responsible for firstly managing the healthcare portfolio in India, including current investments and the development of future investments in the sector and secondly manage compliance and operations of the Acumen Fund India office. S/he will also be expected to play a significant role globally, helping to build on the existing healthcare expertise in the organization.

Portfolio Development and Investment Management:

• Managing relationships along with the India director of current Acumen investees in the Health sector including providing post-investment management support to current investees in the health portfolio
• Managing relationships with other Acumen stakeholders in the sector including prospective investees, advisors, thought leaders and technical experts
• Identifying new investment opportunities, carrying out due diligence and investment activities on potential healthcare investments
• Preparing, presenting and maintaining detailed investment documentation for Acumen Fund Senior Management, Acumen’s Investment Committee, and the Acumen Fund Board of Directors

Finance and Operations:

• Oversee all aspects of Acumen India financial management, including planning/budgeting, regulatory compliance, financial reporting, treasury activities and audit, working in conjunction with Acumen Fund’s global Director of Finance
• Work with external advisors and consultants to ensure complete compliance with local regulations and Acumen Fund policies and procedures.
• Develop and track risk management controls for different functional areas. •    Implement Acumen Fund global financial policies to our Indian operations. •    Oversee Acumen India general operations, including technology and administration
• Business Development:
• Working with the India Country Director to build strategic alliances within the country to help meet Acumen Fund objectives, as well strengthening engagement with advisors, partners and other key supporters.
• Participating in fundraising and communication activities to strengthen Acumen Fund objectives in India.

The India Portfolio Manager will report to the Country Director, Acumen Fund India.

Qualifications
Candidates for the India Portfolio Manager role should have a passionate commitment to solving the toughest problems of poverty, strong entrepreneurial spirit, and excellent communications and networking skills. Strong candidates will have a blend of private sector and non-profit experience and experience in both business as well as healthcare. They will have very strong organizational skills and an ability to manage and deliver projects independently and proactively in a fast-paced work environment. They will also have the entrepreneurial drive to take an idea and turn it into a high-quality finished product through assertive risk-taking and innovation.

• Deep principal investing experience in the healthcare sector making healthcare investments and managing an in investment portfolio, with 7 – 10 years of work experience in the same.
• A passionate commitment to Acumen Fund’s mission of tackling issues of poverty
• A strong entrepreneurial spirit
• A proven ability to project manage/execute
• Excellent written and oral communication skills; ability to present arguments and analysis in a clear and succinct manner to Acumen Fund management, partners and investees.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to work well in a team and successfully interact with corporate and non-profit partners as well as end low-income clients in the field.
• Fluency in English and Hindi. Knowledge of other Indian languages a plus.
• Commitment to accuracy, attention to detail and follow-through.
• Commitment to and enthusiasm for Acumen Fund’s mission and business model, and respect for the organization’s core values: generosity, accountability, humility, audacity, listening, leadership, and respect
• A master’s degree in business administration or a relevant field for the role will be a plus

Candidates who cannot demonstrate a strong knowledge and relevant experience in the health sector are advised not to apply for this position.

Compensation
Acumen Fund offers a competitive compensation package, commensurate with experience.
Location
Hyderabad, India

To Apply
Send a cover letter and resume to Shahela Sajanlal at ssajanlal@acumenfund.org, with “Application for India Portfolio Manager” in the subject line.
Regrettably, due to the volume of applicants, we are only able to contact those for whom a possible match is identified.