ASSOCIATE/SENIOR ASSOCIATE, BLENDED FINANCE ACCELERATOR

PREFERENCE FOR CANDIDATES BASED IN NAIROBI; TORONTO CANDIDATES MAY ALSO BE CONSIDERED

Convergence is the global network for blended finance. Blended finance is the use of catalytic public or philanthropic capital to increase private sector investment in the regions and sectors that need it most in the developing world. We are the source for everything related to blended finance, including deals, data, reports, training, webinars, and much more. At Convergence, we believe that blended finance can disrupt traditional development finance as we know it, by attracting significant private sector financing to developing countries.

Convergence is a not-for-profit headquartered in Toronto, but we operate globally and have a presence in Singapore, Nairobi, La Paz, and Washington, DC. Over the last ten years, we have built a robust network of over 200 public, private, and philanthropic investors as well as sponsors of transactions and funds. To accelerate advances in the field, Convergence also provides grants through its Blended Finance Accelerator (BFA) program, which funds the design of new blended finance solutions.

The BFA program equips blended finance practitioners with the early-stage support needed to scope, structure, and launch scalable blended finance vehicles.  We provide design grants, acceleration support, and market intelligence with the aim of  unlocking commercial investment to accelerate sustainable development in emerging markets.

Through catalytic grants, skill-building, market insights, and on-going acceleration support, the program helps to:

● Build blended finance capacity and equip teams to structure blended vehicles

● Diversify market reach and portfolio exposure of blended vehicles

● Enter high-growth, high-impact markets by reducing risk exposure

● Develop a stream of investible pipeline focused on EMDEs

We are small but mighty. Join us if you want to be part of an energetic and innovative team with a unique role at the intersection of international development and finance. We are passionate about and united around the goal of identifying the best solutions to direct investment capital to where it’s needed most – into developing countries and towards sustainable investing. We have built a culture defined by our diversity, inclusivity, and ability to get things done. As part of our nimble organization, you can be sure that you’ll have a voice and leave your mark. Finally, we take our team members’ growth and well-being seriously, so we offer opportunities for professional development and team building as well as flexible schedules and generous time-off policies.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

We are currently seeking an Associate/ Senior Associate to join the BFA team. The BFA program at Convergence has delivered nine years of success, having supported concepts that went on to mobilize well over $2 billion in subsequent capital. This is a flagship program for the firm, with significant growth potential. The program addresses a key market need and gap in the development process of blended finance solutions addressing barriers to achieving the SDGs. Further, it provides a suite of acceleration services to support the potential market roll-out and rapid scale-up of solutions.

The Associate/ Senior Associate will collaborate with staff across Convergence and external partners, as well as play an instrumental role in all aspects of executing Convergence’s various thematic grant-making programs ranging from climate finance to gender-lens investing, and portfolio management. While the Associate/ Senior Associate will focus on BFA and similar innovative initiatives, this position will shape an integral part of Convergence and will find ample opportunity to collaborate across all of Convergence’s key activities.

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

Program Management:

● Support the implementation of BFA program operations to extend Acceleration Support to key market actors spanning non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to asset/fund managers

● Assist in application pipeline development for Accelerator programs by identifying and tracking prospective applicants (e.g., NGOs, financial intermediaries, and other market actors), supporting outreach, and maintaining engagement with applicants throughout the application process

● Provide structured feedback to prospective applicants aligned with initiative-specific objectives (e.g., mobilizing private capital, market development, and inclusive finance outcomes), under guidance from senior team members

● Review Concept Notes and applications with attention to initiative priorities (e.g., NGO-led or fund/asset manager-led models, market-building approaches, scalability), and synthesize findings for internal discussions

● Support internal review processes by compiling evaluation materials and contributing to assessments across key criteria such as, financial viability, track record, scalability, gender inclusion, and development impact

● Conduct research and analysis to support due diligence on shortlisted proposals, including market assessments, financial model analysis, and participation in stakeholder interviews

● Assist in preparing Investment Committee materials, including drafting memos and presentations that reflect initiative-specific strategic priorities and assessment of shortlisted proposals.

● Support the structuring and administration of grant agreements, including tracking milestones, deliverables, and technical assistance components tailored to accelerator initiatives

● Track program data, results, and learning outcomes across initiatives to support donor reporting and contribute to impact narratives highlighting portfolio progress and market-level insights

● Contribute to initiative-related communications, including drafting content (e.g., grantee profiles, blogs) and supporting events/webinars that showcase outcomes from accelerator initiatives

● Coordinate with the Communications team to support announcements and visibility of funded projects and broader initiative milestones

Portfolio Management & Acceleration Support:

● Support the coordination and tracking of grant disbursements and acceleration support for accelerator portfolios     Participate in regular check-ins with grantees to monitor progress against milestones, document key updates, and flag risks or support needs to senior team members

● Assist in maintaining relationships with a diverse portfolio of grantees (e.g., NGOs, fund managers, intermediaries), ensuring consistent communication and engagement

● Support onboarding of new grantees, including administrative coordination and guidance on accessing Convergence’s network, resources, and platform

● Track portfolio performance and contribute to identifying opportunities for additional support, peer learning, or collaboration across accelerator cohorts

● Provide logistical and content support for accelerator workshops, learning sessions, and convenings aimed at strengthening grantee capacity in blended finance structuring and capital raising

Stakeholder Engagement:

● Support engagement with program donors and other partners by preparing briefing materials, presentations, and progress updates aligned with initiative objectives

● Assist in drafting concept notes and proposals for future accelerator programs and funding opportunities

● Conduct research on thematic areas relevant to initiatives (e.g., NGO financing models, emerging market dynamics, climate finance, gender-lens investing) to inform program design development and shape applicant pools

● Contribute to knowledge products and insights that capture lessons learned and best practices emerging from Accelerator initiatives

● Support participation in industry events and conferences by coordinating logistics, preparing materials, and capturing key takeaways to inform ongoing program development    

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

We are looking for candidates with at least 2+ years of experience (or 4+ years of experience for Senior Associate) in investment/corporate banking, impact/ESG investing, international development / development finance field, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and/or grant-making. The ideal candidate will have:

● Bachelor’s degree in business, economics, international development, or a related field

● Previous experience in related field such as investment/corporate banking, impact investing or grant making, that demonstrates an understanding of advanced finance concepts and track record of conducting due diligence

● Demonstrated strengths in analytics (quantitative and qualitative); communications (the ability to present information in an insightful and structured manner, especially written); and detail-oriented project management

● Self-starter with excellent interpersonal skills

● Able to work in a small entrepreneurial team environment as a collaborative partner

●  Demonstrated interest in development finance and developing countries

●   Foreign language skill(s) is a plus

The Associate/ Senior Associate will be based in Nairobi, however candidates based in Toronto will be considered, and will be required to engage with global organizations, therefore, will have early morning or late evening/night telephone meetings. These working hours will be accommodated through flexible working arrangements.

 APPLICATION QUALIFICATIONS

We will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis, interested and qualified applicants are encouraged to apply early and in advance of the application deadline on April 20, 2026. Please note that you must submit a cover letter that discusses your interest in development, blended finance, and Convergence. Please note that due to the high volume of applications, we will only contact those selected for interviews.

Convergence believes in an inclusive environment. We celebrate the different viewpoints and experiences our diverse team members bring to our organization. Convergence encourages all individuals motivated by our mission and mandate to apply.