Finance & Operations Manager

For over 20 years, I&P has been committed to financing African small and medium-sized enterprises and to supporting the emergence of investment teams across the continent.

The I&P team is made up of 80 people in 8 offices (Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, France, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Senegal, and Uganda). I&P works closely with the network of 9 teams financed through the I&P Développement range (over 100 people in 10 African countries).

Our mission is to foster the emergence of entrepreneurs and SMEs that are at the core of inclusive growth and sustainable development in Africa. I&P manages several investment funds supported by development finance institutions, corporates and HNWIs.

I&P's activities are structured around three key pillars to facilitate access to financing for African entrepreneurs: directly financing and supporting entrepreneurs (seed funding, private equity), supporting and developing African investment teams, and strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem. 

Fund Background 

I&P has been pre-selected to take over the management of an existing debt investment fund dedicated to supporting smallholder farmers, rural SMEs, and selected financial intermediaries active in sustainable and inclusive agricultural value chains.

The fund is structured with a Luxembourg-based AIFM and Fund Administrator, and is supported by development finance institutions and donors. 

About the Role

I&P is seeking a Finance and Operations Manager to serve as the financial and operational backbone of the fund. Reporting to the Programme Director based in Abidjan, the role covers the full spectrum of middle office activities - from operations oversight and portfolio monitoring to risk management and regulatory compliance - while extending into selected back-office activities including accounting oversight, liaison with the depositary, and coordination with the Fund Administrator. 

This is a central, hands-on position at the crossroads of finance, risk, compliance and operations. While investment decisions and credit analysis remain the responsibility of the investment team and the Programme Director, the Manager plays a key supporting role: ensuring operational and procedural rigour across the investment process, consolidating portfolio data, maintaining risk and monitoring frameworks, and serving as the primary day-to-day interface with the Luxembourg-based AIFM and Fund Administrator. 

Tasks and Responsabilities

• Operations & Procedures
  • Maintain and update the fund’s procedures manuals and internal policies, and ensure their consistent application by the investment team
  • Ensure operational compliance with internal procedures, fund legal documentation, applicable regulations and ESG/impact requirements
  • Coordinate AML/CFT procedures in liaison with the AIFM and relevant counterparties
  • Support the Programme Director in the preparation and coordination of Investment Committee processes, including logistics, documentation and follow-up
  • Assist the investment team in the review and archiving of financing and loan documentation, in coordination with external legal advisors
  • Support the Programme Director in monitoring recovery and workout processes on non-performing exposures, ensuring timely escalation and accurate tracking
     
• Portfolio Monitoring & Reporting
  • Coordinate the collection and consolidation of financial and impact KPIs from borrowers*Develop and maintain portfolio monitoring tools, dashboards and reporting frameworks
  • Track portfolio performance indicators, including credit risk metrics, covenant compliance, valuation and provisioning, and flag issues to the Programme Director and investment team
  • Prepare quarterly portfolio, financial and narrative reports for donors, investors and other stakeholders, under the supervision of the Programme Director
  • Produce ad hoc analyses and presentations on fund performance and activities to support the investment team
  • Monitor deal flow and transactions under due diligence for operational and procedural purposes
     
• Risk Management & Compliance Oversight 
  • Maintain and update the fund’s risk framework (credit, operational, liquidity and market risk) in liaison with the Programme Director
  • Produce periodic risk reports and flag exceptions to the Programme Director and relevant governance bodies
  • Monitor compliance with fund covenants, investment restrictions and regulatory thresholdsLiaise with the AIFM on risk-related reporting and regulatory obligations
     
• Back Office, AIFM & Fund Administrator Interface (extent to be confirmed)
  • Act as the day-to-day operational counterpart of the Fund Administrator and depositary
  • Review NAV calculations, financial statements and periodic reporting produced by the Fund Administrator
  • Oversee accounting entries and reconciliations, and coordinate with the Fund Administrator on any discrepancies
  • Liaise with the depositary on custody, cash management and oversight matters
  • Contribute to annual audit processes and coordinate with external auditors
  • Prepare quarterly and annual reports for the AIFM
  • Respond to regulatory, operational and reporting requests from the AIFM, Fund Administrator and donors
  • Participate in governance bodies (Boards, Investment Committees, Steering Committees) in a support and secretariat capacity

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in finance, accounting, audit or management control
• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in audit, fund operations, financial control or a middle/back office environment; prior exposure to regulated investment funds (ideally Luxembourg-domiciled AIFs, or investing in Africa) is a strong asset
• Solid understanding of financial statements, portfolio monitoring, credit risk and fund accounting
• Familiarity with AML/CFT frameworks and fund regulatory environments
• Strong analytical and synthesis skills, with high attention to detail and rigorous work standards
• Ability to work autonomously in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment, managing multiple priorities
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to produce high-quality reports for diverse audiences
• Full professional proficiency in English and French (written and spoken)
• Strong command of the Microsoft Office suite, particularly Excel; experience with portfolio management or fund administration tools is an asset
• Alignment with I&P’s values: integrity, entrepreneurial mindset and commitment to impact in Africa

Position Details

• Location: Abidjan or one of I&P’s other offices .
• Start date: As soon as possible.
• Remuneration: Commensurate with experience.

How to apply 

Please send your application to a.thirouin@ietp.com and recrutement@ietp.com with the subject line Fund Operations & Oversight Manager — LAST NAME and attach:

• Your CV (no more than 2 pages)
• A one-page cover letter including your salary expectations and up to 3 professional references

We thank you for your application. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.