Experienced Summer Intern – Technology & Telecoms Equity (MBA, MSc or equivalent)

About BII

British International Investment is the UK’s development finance institution, owned by the UK Government. With a mission to solve the biggest global development challenges, we aim to create a virtuous circle of investment and impact. Your contribution will be essential. 

It won’t be easy: we do the hardest work in the most complex markets. Be prepared to test your skills, get creative and say your piece as you take on high-profile work as part of a diverse team of exceptionally smart, passionate people. 

In return, you can take your career to all-new places in a culture that rewards curiosity and collaboration, and balances high performance with wellbeing.

BII at a glance

75 years supporting sustainable business growth in developing and emerging markets

£8.1 billion in net assets

1,400+ businesses invested in

950,000 workers in the businesses we support

£9 billion in new investments planned in the next 5 years

600+ people in our diverse global team

3 key development objectives: Productive jobsnear.org Sustainable jobsnear.org Inclusive

The Team

Making equity investments is central to our strategy. Such investments allow us to invest capital in businesses that provide significant employment opportunities and potential for strong growth. The Technology & Telecoms team invests either solely or by co-investing with other institutional investors and local GPs across Africa and South Asia.

The Technology & Telecoms Equity team is focussed on three primary themes: direct equity investments into larger, more established companies, venture capital investments into earlier stage companies, and debt investments. There are five levels in each team – Associate, Executive, Manager, Director & Team Leader. However, the team operates in a very flat structure, allowing employees at all levels to get involved in the real detail, and in representational work, both to Investment Committee and externally.

The Role

If you are interested in supporting the building of businesses in Africa and Asia, to create jobs and make a lasting impact on people’s lives, then our 8 to 10-week internship is for you. 

As well as being offered meaningful work, working with diverse teams, you will also partake in a project with your intern colleagues. You will have a comprehensive induction, attend networking sessions and our speaker series.

Responsibilities

The primary role will be to support the deal teams. This will include assisting with:

• Analysing new investment proposals and deal opportunities, including conducting financial analysis/modelling, valuation exercises, market research, etc.;
• Performing discrete project work around sector mapping to identify potential opportunities and to help develop investment theses; and
• Support post-transaction management of portfolio companies

Specific responsibilities will be driven by priorities and needs of the subsector teams at the time, but are expected to include some or all of the following:

Evaluation of new investment proposals:

• Initial filtering of investment proposals for opportunities that are consistent with BII’s developmental and investment mandate
• Analysing financial information and building financial models
• Assisting with preparing reports to be presented to the Investment Committee for approval and participating in the meetings
• Conducting a detailed valuation of a company using various methods
• Assisting with the due diligence on a specific company, sector, and country

Research:

• Undertaking research into regions, countries and specific sectors on an ad-hoc basis. This will include providing support to sector mapping exercises
• Undertaking research into specific businesses or projects including traveling to meet management teams and advisers
• Keeping up to date with market developments and monitoring factors that can affect the markets and considering how these might affect the pipeline and portfolio companies
• Monitoring financial news and updating the team of material information in the target countries, sector and companies

Portfolio Monitoring:

• Preparing periodic reports and working with the deal teams to help in the monitoring of investees’ financial and strategic performance, including compliance with BII’s Environment, Social and Governance requirements

The Candidate (please note, this programme is not for undergraduates)

Background

• Currently enrolled in an MBA or equivalent programme covering finance, economics, corporate accounting, or other relevant area of study
• Demonstrable relevant business experience, preferably in private equity, investment banking, equity research, corporate finance, or strategy consulting
• Demonstrable professional interest in technology, digital infrastructure, debt, venture capital or innovation
• Previous professional experience in Africa and/or South Asia or emerging markets more broadly is not a prerequisite but would be an additional advantage
• Demonstration of identity with BII’s proposition including:
• An awareness of and appreciation for BII’s objectives
• A desire and passion to be part of BII’s strategy and participate in its work
• Evidence of high performance standards in previous positions

Technical Skills

• Strong grounding in financial analysis, investment process knowledge, and valuation skills, including the ability to work with company financial statements, third-party research reports, and macro/sector datasets.
• Ability to efficiently and independently gather and analyse data, draw conclusions, and present ideas with strong written and oral presentation skills
• Strong commercial insight into the challenges and opportunities that businesses face
• Understanding of equity and debt investments and the challenges/issues involved with executing equity and debt transactions, especially in emerging market environments
• Advanced knowledge of Excel, PowerPoint, and Capital IQ

Our cultural values

We look for team members who aspire, as we do, to work at our best and to be:

• Impact-led, commercially rigorous
• Tenacious in the face of challenges
• Collaborative and caring

British International Investment is committed to diversity and inclusion and welcomes all applicants regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation or educational background. 

Application Process 

• Please provide a cover letter with your application, and tell us why you would like to join the Summer Internship at BII, and why you have chosen to apply for this business area/team
• Please apply for one internship only
• Position opened: 28 October 2024
• Position closes: 01 December 2024
• Salary: £65,810 (pro-rated over 8 or 10 weeks)

Please note BII will pay for flights to London for those studying internationally

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