The role is responsible for proactively identifying, evaluating and recommending high-conviction investment opportunities for review by the Chief Investment Officer, and, where appropriate, the Investment Committee. The position requires a disciplined execution within the Wealth and Asset Management Investment and Risk Management Framework of EDC.
The role requires strong technical and leadership capabilities, including a sound understanding of macroeconomic indicators such as inflation, GDP and exchange rate dynamics, and their implications for investment decisions. The Portfolio Manager must also demonstrate deep knowledge of the CEMAC financial markets and must be willing to expand his/her understanding of other francophone Africa financial markets including but not limited to UEMOA, DR Congo, and Burundi.
The Portfolio Manager must have strong financial statement analysis capabilities, including the ability to interpret financial ratios, conduct company valuations, assess debt capacity, and perform yield curve positioning and analysis.
The role requires a good understanding of Investment Policy Statements of clients and he/she is expected to formulate and recommend investment strategies for adoption and implementation subject to the approval of the Investment Committee of EDC.
JOB CONTEXT
The role requires the ability to establish and manage relationships with key actors in the financial markets such as Brokers, Treasurers of Banks, Corporate Issuers, Transaction advisors on Equity and Fixed Income issuances, and Key corporate clients such as Insurance Companies, Pensions Fund Trustees, Endowment Funds and Provident Fund Clients.
Internally, the candidate will work with the Chief Investment Officer and the Head of Asset Management to manage relationships with key functions including Compliance, Risk Management, Internal Control, Internal Audit, Sales and Business Development, Middle Office and Operations. This role requires strong issue ownership and meaningful contribution to CEMAC management discussions.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Portfolio Construction
Identify and define client investment objectives through direct engagement with institutional and high-net-worth clients. For Collective Investment Schemes, ensure clear alignment with stated scheme objectives, target returns and risk tolerance.
Continuously originate investment ideas across asset classes, sectors and geographies Identify mispriced, under-researched and emerging opportunities ahead of broader market adoption.
Evaluate alternative asset classes, including real estate, infrastructure, private equity, private debt, structured notes and other emerging investment opportunities.
Fundamental and Technical Valuation and Analysis
Work with other Portfolio Managers to value equity, fixed income and other alternative assets, applying core methodologies including DDM, FCFF, FCFE, Enterprise value and relative valuation techniques.
Work with other Portfolio Managers and analysts to perform financial statement analysis including but not limited to ratio, growth, and trend analysis for key investment holdings.
Collaborate with other Portfolio Managers within the CEMAC Portfolio Management team to conduct macroeconomic analysis of inflation, GDP, exchange rates, government revenues and fiscal deficits to inform yield curve positioning, duration strategy and fixed income asset allocation.
Investor Meetings and Presentations
Develop and maintain a structured calendar for meetings with key EDC Asset Management investors, ensuring engagement at least twice annually.
Support the preparation of investor presentations covering economic, and financial market reviews, portfolio reviews, performance attribution, market outlook and investment strategy. For pension fund trustees and insurers, this is conducted quarterly.
Support Sales and Business Development with client onboarding, commercial discussions and accurate product positioning.
Portfolio Analytics
Review Fund Factsheets for all Collective Investment Schemes prior to relevant stakeholder approvals.
Analyze portfolio trends to support rebalancing decisions, using key metrics such as Sharpe Ratio, Treynor Index and Sortino Ratio.
Analyze AUM growth, asset mix dynamics, counterparty exposures, large holdings, business lines and revenue trends to identify efficiency and performance improvement opportunities.
Credit Assessment and Scoring
Develop, maintain and enhance credit risk assessment models, including strong working knowledge of the CAMEL framework and counterparty credit risk parameters.
Develop, maintain and enhance models for assessing debt capacity in corporate notes and bond issuances, including debt service coverage forecasting.
Investment Idea Generation
Drive the development of client-focused solutions through market research and product innovation.
Work closely with the Sales and Business Development team to design investment products and solutions that meet client needs.
Work with the Chief Investment Officer on product development processes in collaboration with regulators, senior management and key service providers to support successful product launches.
Assess market gaps and unmet client needs to inform new product opportunities.
Development of Trade Execution Strategies
Must be very well vexed in equity market dynamics, following closely price and volume movements to determine the appropriate trading strategies to be adopted.
Must work closely with Brokers to gain visibility on the happenings on the market to gain visibility on trade dynamics, price discovery and trajectory and map out optimal execution strategy.
Develop fixed income trade ideas and strategy with the view of improving portfolio performance and minimizing trading costs . This involves utilizing the skill sets of the investment team to crunch big data to discover patterns and trends in the fixed income market.
Must work closely with Dealers and Brokers to gain insight on the market and yield direction as well as interests from Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPI) who are key actors on the Fixed Income Market of African Markets.
Board and Committee Meetings
Prepare information and reports for Investment Committee meetings and Collective Investment Scheme Board meetings, working with the Chief Investment Officer, Portfolio Managers and Investment Analysts as required.
Attend and present reports to Investment Committee and Board Members for review, consideration and approval.
Prepare Special reports requested by the Investment Committee or Fund Board.
Investment Thesis
Identify and recommend alternative asset product opportunities in the CEMAC region for consideration and development by the CIO’s office.
Support the evaluation and due diligence of new asset classes, including alternative investments, across the business.
Support alternative investment product development under the Chief Investment Officer’s supervision, including engagement with Compliance, Risk Management, local partners and regulators.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
Experience & Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Business, Finance, Mathematics, Statistics and Engineering.
Relevant Regulatory Certification or licence required for the role and jurisdiction.
Master’s degree in finance, Economics or an MBA is an added advantage.
Professional Certification such as CFA, ACCA, CA, etc is a plus.
At least 5 – 7 years’ experience in Finance, Investments research, portfolio management, capital markets or a related investment function, including demonstrable responsibility for portfolio recommendations or investment decisions.
Skills, Capabilities & Direct attributes
Demonstrate thought leadership and strategic thinking.
Capable of managing multi-functional operational teams.
Advanced financial modelling, portfolio analytics and data-interpretation skills.
Proficiency in absolute and relative valuation methods, including DDM, FCFF, FCFE and enterprise value approaches.
Strong understanding of equity and fixed-income markets, yield curves, macroeconomic analysis, credit assessment and risk adjusted performance measures.
Numerical and Analytical Skills.
Strong Negotiation skills.
Good oral, presentation and written communication skills in French and English.
Demonstrate sound judgement, integrity, attention to detail, commercial awareness and disciplined execution.
