EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI)
External Members – P2S Investment Committee
1. Background
The Pathways to Scale (P2S) project is a five-year, multi-country initiative funded by the Mastercard Foundation and implemented by World University Service of Canada (WUSC) in partnership with Seedstars and local Enterprise Support Organisations.
P2S aims to accelerate the growth of women-led and women-owned enterprises, with a strong focus on young women in rural areas in Nigeria, Ghana, Ethiopia and Rwanda, by providing tailored business development services and access to concessional loans (USD 2,000 – 200,000).
As part of the Access to Finance (A2F) component, WUSC is establishing an Investment Committee (IC) to provide governance, oversight, and decision-making on investments.
2. Purpose of the Call
WUSC invites Expressions of Interest from qualified individuals to serve as external members of the P2S Investment Committee in the following categories:
- Impact Investor Representative (1 position)
- Financial Institution Representative (1 position)
These members will bring independent expertise, credibility, and strategic insight into investment decision-making.
3. Role of External Investment Committee Members
External members will:
- Review and approve or decline enterprise loans based on investment memos and briefing packs presented to the committee.
- Provide strategic guidance on investment priorities and portfolio performance.
- Ensure investments align with:
- Program objectives
- Risk management standards
- Social impact goals (especially for young rural women)
- Identify risks, opportunities, and gaps in the investment portfolio.
- Promote transparency, inclusion, and equitable access to finance.
4. Key Responsibilities
External members are expected to:
- Participate in Investment Committee meetings (virtual or hybrid) which will be held on average every two months.
- Review investment materials in advance and provide informed input.
- Contribute to objective, evidence-based decision-making
- Uphold high standards of confidentiality and integrity.
- Declare and manage any conflicts of interest.
5. Required Qualifications and Experience
For Impact Investor Representative
- Proven experience in impact investing, venture capital, or private equity.
- Strong understanding of gender lens investing and social impact frameworks.
- Rich experience working in and investing in African markets, preferably in agricultural value chains in the P2S countries (Ethiopia, Rwanda, Ghana, Nigeria).
For Financial Institution Representative
- Senior-level experience in banking, SME finance, or credit risk management.
- Familiarity with innovative finance, MSME lending, especially for underserved segments such as rural women.
- Experience structuring or managing concessional or blended finance.
For Both Roles
- Minimum 15 years of relevant professional experience.
- Strong analytical and decision-making skills.
- Commitment to women’s economic empowerment and youth inclusion.
- Experience with governance bodies or investment committees is an advantage.
6. Tenure
- Initial term of 2 years (renewable)
- Continued participation subject to:
- Active engagement
- Availability
- Continued relevance to the committee
7. Time Commitment
- Approximately 1–2 days every two months for meetings and document review.
- Occasional participation in ad hoc or urgent meetings.
8. Remuneration
- A sitting allowance will be provided for each meeting, excluding the initial orientation meeting.
9. Application Process
Interested candidates should submit:
- Cover Letter outlining:
- Relevant experience
- Motivation for joining the Investment Committee
- Value you will bring to P2S
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
10. Selection Process
Shortlisted candidates will be invited for:
- A brief technical discussion/interview.
- Final selection by WUSC, with input from Seedstars and relevant stakeholders
WUSC is committed to inclusion and strongly encourages applications from women and individuals with experience working with rural, refugee, or marginalized communities and candidates from P2S focus countries. If interested, submit your application to [email protected] by Monday 13th April 2026 with the subject line EOI – P2S Investment Committee External Member.
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