Investment Associate, Soros Economic Development Fund (SEDF)

Investment Associate, Soros Economic Development Fund (SEDF). Nairobi. Posting Date: 09/10/2026. Deadline: 09/26/2026

Role Title: Investment Associate
Contract Type: Regular
Reporting To: Managing Director, Investments
Program/Department/Unit Name: Soros Economic Development Fund (SEDF)
Location: Mexico City (Mexico), Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), or Nairobi (Kenya). ( This is a hybrid position with the successful candidate expected to spend 50% of their time in the office)
Team Name: Soros Economic Development Fund (SEDF)

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Description of the Organization

The Open Society Foundations aim to establish vibrant and inclusive democracies where governments are accountable to their citizens. To achieve this goal, we award numerous grants annually to global entities and individuals dedicated to promoting tolerance, transparency, and open discourse. Additionally, we actively pursue strategic human rights litigation and impact investing, while fostering innovation and engaging directly with governments and policymakers through advocacy to drive positive change.

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Description of the Team

The Soros Economic Development Fund (SEDF) is the impact investment arm of the Open Society Foundations. SEDF deploys patient, risk-tolerant, and catalytic capital to support vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable democracies worldwide. Working across sectors and geographies, the team invests in businesses, funds, platforms, and nonprofit organizations that generate meaningful social impact while advancing Open Society's mission.

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Description of the Role

The Investment Associate will support the identification, development, diligence, execution, and management of investment opportunities across SEDF's global portfolio. The successful candidate will work closely with Investment Principals, the Managing Director of Investments, and Strategy and Impact teams.

Key Responsibilities

- Support the development and refinement of investment themes and strategies.
- Conduct market landscaping and benchmarking exercises to identify new investment opportunities.
- Source and screen investment opportunities aligned with SEDF's impact objectives.
- Manage investment processes and maintain accurate records across internal systems and databases.
- Draft investment documentation, including screening notes, concept notes, and investment memoranda.
- Support and execute due diligence workstreams for prospective investments.
- Develop financial models, valuation analyses, and investment recommendations.
- Conduct financial, risk, impact, and ESG analyses across investment opportunities.
- Support portfolio management activities and identify opportunities to create value for investees.
- Build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including impact investors, development finance institutions, family offices, and consultants.

The Ideal Candidate

- Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, Business Administration, Accounting, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
- Minimum of 5 to 7 years of experience in private equity, investment banking, development finance, impact investing, asset management, or related investment roles.
- Demonstrated experience leading debt and equity investment transactions from origination through closing.
- Experience investing or working within Emerging Markets and/or the Global South is strongly preferred.
- Strong financial modeling, valuation, investment analysis, and transaction structuring skills.
- Experience conducting commercial, financial, operational, legal, and ESG due diligence.
- Ability to evaluate investment opportunities through both financial and impact lenses.
- Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; additional languages are an asset.
- Commitment to Open Society's values of humility, commitment, collaboration, respect, inclusivity, and integrity.

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What We Offer

- Exceptional opportunities to learn, grow, and make an impact; from a generous annual professional development allowance for every employee to onsite training and learning conversations with visiting experts.
- Excellent benefits and perks to promote well-being and a healthy work-life balance, including:
- Generous time off, as well as our standard Open Society close at year-end (where vacation days are not required) and flexible work arrangements.
- Employer-paid health insurance and dental plans for individuals and families (no employee contribution required).
- Exceptional retirement savings plan (non-contributory for employees) and life insurance.
- Progressive paid parental leave, reproductive and family planning support, and much more.
- Free, healthy, world-cuisine-style lunches or tokens (where our office does not have the scale for café facilities).
- A commitment to nurturing a diverse and inclusive workplace, so you can bring your whole self to work and make a positive impact.

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OSF Values

We're built on six core values that guide our work. Collaboration encourages teamwork, trust, and open communication. We actively listen and share information to achieve shared goals. Commitment drives us to deliver impactful outcomes for those we support, embrace innovation and take necessary risks. Humility reminds us to listen and consider different perspectives, fostering continuous learning. Inclusivity focuses on advancing diversity and equity in all aspects of our work, enhancing our strength and impact. Integrity guides us to act ethically and honestly, holding ourselves accountable and maintaining our reputation. Finally, Respect ensures everyone's right to dignity, valuing each of our unique contributions. Together, these values support our work to build open societies.

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Additional Information

We are committed to building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We actively seek applications from talented individuals across all backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences, particularly those from marginalized and underrepresented groups. Each candidate is evaluated solely on their unique qualifications, without any discrimination based on race, gender, age, religion, or other protected characteristics. We welcome all qualified applicants who share our vision of advancing justice, democratic governance, and human rights worldwide

Competitive rates of pay apply.

Open Society Foundations is committed to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion, and to building a diverse staff that reflects the movements, issues and communities that our mission serves. Candidates from all underrepresented backgrounds, identities and communities are encouraged to apply.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and colleagues with disabilities.