Social Finance International Development Director

Background

Social Finance, established in 2007, develops new ways to tackle complex social issues. Our mission is to effect change by improving the quality and quantity of financial flows available for achieving social impact. Social Finance brings together individuals with expertise in finance, strategy consultancy, government and the social sector. Our team uses this combination of skills to address social issues where the way that the money flows has become part of the problem. We think and do, analysing and shaping new contracts and ways of working that align incentives, focus on outcomes and enable investment. We then raise capital and support implementation for the resulting programmes.

Social Finance developed and launched the first Social Impact Bond in the UK in 2010, focused on rehabilitation services for short-sentence offenders released from Peterborough Prison. We have since developed outcomes-based investment structures in areas as diverse as children’s services, homelessness, youth unemployment, substance misuse and health. As a result of this work, Social Impact Bonds have attracted considerable interest in the UK and internationally. There is now growing interest in how outcomes-based finance structures like Social Impact Bonds could be used to improve the effectiveness and accountability of development spending. Such ‘Development Impact Bonds’ could provide new sources of financing from private investors to improve social outcomes in low income countries. Development Impact Bonds have the potential to improve aid efficiency and cost-effectiveness by shifting the focus onto implementation quality and the delivery of successful results.

Social Finance has formed a partnership with the Center for Global Development to assess the potential of Development Impact Bonds. We have brought together a senior Working Group to support this work and are currently screening a number of potential opportunities with a view to identifying guiding principles around where such structures add value, and informing pilot transactions. More about the Working Group and the potential impact of Development Impact Bonds can be found here: Development Impact Bonds

Opportunity

Social Finance is seeking an outstanding individual to join our entrepreneurial Development Impact Bond team as a Director. The candidate will have day-to-day responsibility for leading the growing team to promote and structure outcomes-based finance for the effective and efficient delivery of development outcomes.

Core Responsibilities

• Develop the strategic direction, structure and focus of the Development Impact Bond team with the Social Finance leadership team
• Support the development, funding and activities of a growing Development Impact Bond team
• Support the development and launch of outcomes-based finance structures (Development Impact Bonds) to deliver development outcomes
• Build global stakeholder interest in Development Impact Bonds
• Build Social Finance’s market position and reputation as a respected intermediary in the field

Skills and Experience

Candidates should have experience of international development and a strong interest in the potential of investment approaches to drive social change.

Candidates should have:

• Strong entrepreneurship and business drive
• Experience of working at a senior level with or within bilateral or multilateral donor agencies and development finance institutions
• Strong communication, leadership and negotiating skills
• Good level of quantitative skills
• Ability to support others to build strong partnerships and relationships
• Ability to undertake significant travel, including trips of two weeks duration or more

It would be desirable for candidates to have:

• Demonstrable experience and expertise in developing, structuring and negotiating investment transactions
• Experience of the UK or overseas NGO, social investment or social entrepreneurship sectors

Compensation

Competitive within the UK social sector

How to apply:

This position is a full time role, but a part-time role may be considered for the right candidate. As the position will be based in Social Finance’s London office, applicants must have the right to work in the UK.

Interested candidates should send a CV and covering letter detailing their interest in the role and relevant experience to:

info@socialfinance.org.uk or
Human Resources,
Social Finance,
131 – 151 Great Titchfield Street,
London W1W 5BB

Closing date for applications: 21st December 2012