The incumbent will provide critical support in designing, executing, and disseminating research initiatives that drive evidence-based decision-making and inform AECF’s programs and strategic initiatives. The role holder will focus on analyzing data, monitoring market trends, and generating insights to enhance AECF’s interventions across sectors such as agriculture, renewable energy, and climate resilience in sub-Saharan Africa.

Key Responsibilities

Research and knowledge management

• Conduct qualitative and quantitative analyses on investment trends, impact investing ecosystems, and innovative financing mechanisms aligned with AECF’s thematic focus areas.
• Support the development of research outputs that contribute to AECF’s knowledge management objectives, particularly in advancing solutions for agriculture, renewable energy, and inclusive finance.
• Contribute to implementing knowledge-sharing activities, including drafting briefs, case studies, and reports for internal and external stakeholders.
• Provide support for research and data collection related to financing strategies and private sector development in sub-Saharan Africa.
• Contribute to AECF’s knowledge management initiatives by developing and maintaining a repository of research materials.

Collaboration and stakeholder engagement

• Work closely with program teams to integrate research findings into program development and execution.
• Build partnerships with research institutions, donors, and other stakeholders to enhance collaboration and knowledge sharing.
• Represent AECF at workshops, conferences, and other forums to share research outcomes.

Administrative and logistical support

• Coordinate travel arrangements, venue bookings, and other logistical details to ensure seamless workshops, training sessions, and conference implementation.
• Provide organizational support for AECF-hosted events, including identifying and securing venues, managing event invitations, participant registration, and liaising with speakers and attendees.

Required qualifications, experience and competencies

Qualifications and experience

• A bachelor’s degree in Economics, Development Studies, Statistics, or a related field.
• At least 2 years of experience in research, data analysis, and impact evaluation, preferably in development programs.
• Proficiency in data analysis tools such as SPSS, Stata, R, or similar software.
• Strong understanding of development challenges in sub-Saharan Africa, with expertise in agriculture, renewable energy, climate change, or gender inclusion being a plus.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to present complex data and insights clearly and concisely.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in multi-disciplinary and cross-cultural teams.

Competency

• Analytical thinking and problem-solving.
• Attention to detail and a high level of accuracy in data analysis.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.

If you believe you can clearly demonstrate your abilities to meet the relevant criteria for the role, register and apply on: https://recruitment.aecfafrica.org . To be considered, your application must be received by: 21st March 2025

The LGT Impact Fellowship connects talents, with the desire to apply their professional skills in a more meaningful way, with leading social/environmental organisations and companies of LGT Venture Philanthropy’s and Lightrock’s global portfolio. The program is currently welcoming applications for the upcoming intake starting in July 2025 for one-year engagements.
The application portal will be open from Monday, 24 February until Sunday, 30 March (the portal closes at 24h00 CEST). During the application period we are hosting various virtual information sessions – follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram to find out more and to sign up.

About the LGT Impact Fellowship
As part of LGT Venture Philanthropy’s and Lightrock’s strategic efforts to scale positive impact, the LGT Impact Fellowship was established to provide additional know-how and capacity to portfolio organisations. Each year a limited number of professionals are nominated to work full-time for one year with the organisations and companies supported by us in Latin America, Africa, India and Europe. Fellows work within the organisation on various projects, share their know-how and help build organisational capacity.
Compensation packages cover local living costs, incl. health insurance, travel and a 1-week in-person kick-off workshop. Remuneration may vary depending on geographies, sectors, organisation type, etc.
Since inception in 2009, 213 professionals from over 30 countries have joined the program to create positive impact across the globe. Learn more about the program on https://www.lgtvp.com/en/lgt-fellowship
2025 Fellowship roles: This year LGT Venture Philanthropy is seeking mid-career business professionals for 25+ exciting roles in, among others, Corporate Finance, Marketing & Communications, Fundraising, Project Management, Strategy, Impact Investing, Monitoring & Evaluation, Public Affairs, Research, Operations, Data Engineering, based out of various African countries, India, UK and US.

About the Fellows
The LGT Impact Fellowship has proven to be an excellent steppingstone for professionals with the desire to transition to or advance a career in the social entrepreneurship or impact investing sector. It offers the opportunity for exceptional development of personal and professional skills by exposing participants to complex and unknown environments at leading social organisations primarily in emerging countries. Read more about Fellows’ experiences on our Fellowship blog: https://lgtimpactfellowship.com/

Education and professional experience
• Undergraduate degree (MBA or other advanced degree in a relevant field preferred)
• Minimum of 2 years of full-time work experience after university

Required skills and qualities
• Proficiency in English (additional languages from relevant regions might be required)
• Excellent written and oral communication skills as well as strong research and analytical skills
• Self-starter, willing to work independently with limited supervision and take responsibility for own actions
• Strong commitment to making a difference and willingness to make financial concessions
• Good understanding of challenges and trends in low-to-middle income countries
• Willingness to work in and engage with local cultures with a positive attitude and cultural sensitivity
• Flexibility, open-mindedness and the ability to deal with ambiguity, unforeseeable events and changing environment

Beyond the fellowship
The majority of alumni continue their careers in areas where they are able to create positive impact (as per 2015: 71% social sector; 23% private sector; 6% public sector). 78% of alumni consider the program as a helpful career step for professionals towards a more meaningful job and 96% would recommend the program to others. Many alumni found work at leading organisations in the social impact sector, such as USAID, World Bank, CDC, responsAbility, WHO, CAF Venturesome, Pacific AgriCapital, and the Clinton Health Initiative. Others started their own businesses like Impact Amplifier (SGB Consulting, Sub-Saharan Africa) or LoveDoctor (youth and health advice, India); some alumni were able to join LGT Venture Philanthropy’s team.

About LGT Venture Philanthropy
LGT Venture Philanthropy is an independent charitable foundation established in 2007 with teams in Switzerland, Sub-Saharan Africa, and India. The Foundation strives to improve the quality of life of people facing disadvantages, contribute to healthy ecosystems and build resilient, inclusive, and prosperous communities. LGT VP focuses on strengthening the capabilities of locally rooted organisations that deliver effective, scalable solutions across health, education, and the environment contributing directly to the SDGs. For more information, please visit www.lgtvp.com

About Lightrock
Lightrock is a global private equity platform that backs purpose-driven entrepreneurs tackling the world’s biggest challenges. Lightrock invests in companies that pursue scalable and tech-driven business models around the key impact themes of people, planet, and productivity/tech for good. Lightrock’s portfolio includes more than 80 high-growth companies in 14 countries across Europe, the USA, Latin America, Asia and Africa, supported by a diverse team of over 90 professionals based in 5 offices across these regions, including Lightrock’s headquarters in London. Founded by Prince Max von Liechtenstein, Chairman of Lightrock and Chairman of LGT Group, Lightrock is backed by LGT, the international private banking and asset management group, and other leading global institutions. For more information, please visit www.lightrock.com

How to apply
Submit your application through the talent portal: https://talent.lgtvp.com/
Please note that we only accept online applications and that multiple applications are not allowed. However, you are invited to mention additional preferences in your application. The application portal will be open from Monday, 24 February until Sunday, 30 March (the portal closes at 24h00 CEST).

Duration: 6 months

The AI for Good Research Lab uses AI and data to address some of the greatest challenges facing humanity. We are headquartered in Redmond, WA, and have an office in Nairobi, Kenya. We work on issues that will improve societies and environments with a focus on food and water security, disaster response and early warning, biodiversity and conservation. Our technical specialties are in areas as diverse as geospatial imagery, computer vision, bioacoustics, and language models. If you have experience in large language models, computer vision, statistics, and artificial intelligence, you have a fantastic opportunity to join the AI for Good team that is led by Microsoft’s Chief Data Scientist.

Responsibilities

Interns put inquiry and theory into practice. Alongside fellow doctoral candidates and some of the world’s best researchers, interns learn, collaborate, and network for life. Interns not only advance their own careers, but they also contribute to exciting research and development strides. Interns are paired with mentors and expected to collaborate with other interns and researchers, present findings, and contribute to the vibrant life of the community.

Qualifications

Required/Minimum Qualifications:

• Must be currently enrolled in a PhD program in Computer Science or a related STEM field.
• Must have at least 2 years of experience with modeling in Python.
• Must have at least 2 years of experience with deep learning models.

Preffered Requirements

Experience with PyTorch or TensorFlow, particularly computer vision models.

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with applicable law, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations.