NextBillion - An Initiative of the William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan

About Catalyst Fund

Catalyst Fund backs bold founders building Africa’s climate-resilient future. We’re a venture capital fund and venture builder investing in groundbreaking tech startups across agritech and food systems, climate fintech, climate data, water, energy, waste and mobility –  solutions that strengthen the resilience of people and planet. Beyond capital, we roll up our sleeves to help founders scale, through hands-on venture-building support from a team of seasoned operators, ex-founders, and technical experts at BFA Global, Africa’s leading innovation firm driving inclusive and sustainable growth across emerging markets.

About the role

Catalyst Fund is seeking a dynamic and motivated Fractional ESG & Impact Manager to lead and manage the fund’s impact and ESG strategy, reporting, and ESG compliance processes. The role will drive Catalyst Fund’s commitment to measurable impact and sustainability, working across internal teams, portfolio companies, and Limited Partners.

The role is both strategic and hands-on, requiring expertise in ESG and impact management, fund reporting, due diligence processes, and portfolio engagement. The position will report to the Managing Partner. We expect the role to take 4 days a month.

Key Responsibilities

Impact and ESG Strategy & Management (Fund-Level)

• Lead implementation and refinement of Catalyst Fund’s ESG & Impact framework, aligned with leading global standards (e.g., IRIS+, IFC Performance Standards, GCF guidelines).
• Conduct detailed ESG due diligence for prospective investments, identifying risks and gaps against relevant global standards, (e.g., IFC Performance Standards) and establishing corrective action plans, where necessary.
• Manage Catalyst Fund’s Environmental & Social Management System (ESMS), ensuring robust integration into investment processes.
• Work closely with the investment team to integrate E&S considerations into investment screening, due diligence, and decision-making processes, ensuring alignment with IFC Performance Standards and other frameworks
• Oversee ongoing impact and ESG monitoring across the portfolio, including data collection, management, and analysis.
• Conduct portfolio-wide impact assessments, working closely with founders to enhance their ESG practices.
• Prepare annual ESG reports for LPs and an annual impact report for the fund.
• Lead preparation of quarterly LP reports with financial and impact performance of the companies (cross-checking quarterly data upload from companies)

Investor and Regulatory Reporting

• Coordinate and manage all impact, ESG, and compliance reporting to investors, including alignment on data collection methodologies and definitions
• Support ongoing investor relations, responding to due diligence requests, questionnaires, and impact inquiries.
• Lead fund-level annual impact reports and contribute to public communications on Catalyst Fund’s impact.

Due Diligence & Fundraising Support

• Lead ESG and impact components of LP due diligence processes for new investors, including preparation of Due Diligence materials, in alignment with GCF and DFI standards.
• Stay abreast of evolving ESG/impact regulations and standards relevant to private equity/venture capital funds.

Portfolio Engagement and Capacity Building

• Provide hands-on support to Catalyst Fund portfolio companies to strengthen their ESG and impact practices and implement the ESG action plans.
• Collaborate with Catalyst Fund’s Venture Building team to design and implement impact and ESG roadmaps/ action plans.
• Conduct capacity-building workshops for startups on key ESG topics (e.g., labor-related risks for tech-enabled companies, data privacy/protection, gender lens investing, climate risk management).

Qualifications & Requirements

Must-Have

• 5+ years of relevant experience in impact measurement & management, ESG, and/or sustainability within a VC, PE fund, or impact-focused investment organization.
• Strong understanding of climate finance, climate resilience, and ESG risk management frameworks (particularly related to early-stage, tech-enabled companies).
• Experience managing investor-facing impact and ESG reporting, ideally to DFIs, GCF, or other impact investors.
• Ability to design and manage ESG and impact due diligence processes, including conducting E&S assessments against frameworks such as the IFC Performance Standards and establishing corrective action plans for identified gaps.
• Outstanding project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience producing high-quality reports for external audiences.

Preferred

• Experience working in early-stage venture capital, especially with African startups.
• Knowledge of climate adaptation, resilience, and/or fintech for climate solutions.
• Familiarity with development finance institutions (DFIs), blended finance, and concessional capital mechanisms.
• Ability to work across cultures and geographies, including a demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion.
• Experience with gender-lens investing and/or social inclusion frameworks.
• Professional fluency in English; French a plus.

Personal Attributes

• Strong mission alignment with Catalyst Fund’s focus on climate adaptation and resilience in Africa.
• Collaborative team player who enjoys working cross-functionally with investment, operations, and venture-building teams.
• Entrepreneurial, proactive, and adaptable in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.
• Committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion, and supporting underrepresented founders.

Why Join Us?

• Be at the forefront of climate innovation and impact investing in Africa, shaping the future of the climate resilience sector.
• Work with a high-calibre, mission-driven team combining investment and hands-on venture building.
• Lead strategic relationships with global investors, gaining exposure to global impact finance.
• Contribute to a fund that directly supports African entrepreneurs tackling the most pressing climate and social issues.

Anticipated Start Date: January 2026

Preferred location:  Nairobi, Kenya (preferred), or remote within Africa

Candidates must have local work permits. Compensation will be commensurate with experience.

Only shortlisted candidates who provide the required information will be contacted for follow-up.

At Catalyst Fund, we are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation, and related medical conditions), national origin, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military, and veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

We believe that diversity and inclusion among our teammates are critical to our success as a global company. We seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool and to carry out the best inclusion work we undertake.

*Catalyst Fund will not sponsor work permits.

**Catalyst Fund will not pay for relocation expenses.