British International Investment is the UK’s development finance institution, owned by the UK Government. We invest with the aim of solving the biggest global development challenges by investing patient, flexible capital to support private sector growth and innovation.
We have over 70 years of experience successfully supporting the sustainable, long-term growth of businesses in Africa and Asia, and have recently expanded to invest in the Indo-Pacific and Caribbean.
We invest to achieve impact and a financial return which is then reinvested for more impact. Over the past five years, we have committed almost £7 billion of new investments, with our net assets growing in value to approximately £7.5 billion. We are now invested in 1,200 businesses which directly employ over 900,000 workers and support many more. Over the next five years, we plan to grow further, and aim to commit around £9 billion of new investments over the period.
Our new five-year strategy responds to the opportunities and challenges facing developing and emerging economies. To ensure our capital is used in the best way possible to meet these opportunities and challenges, it sets out three clear strategic objectives – to invest in productive, sustainable and inclusive development. These objectives mean an increased focus on climate finance, including investing in green infrastructure; on financing digital transformation; and on driving inclusive outcomes, including through gender and diversity finance.
As part of our new strategy, we have changed our name to British International Investment (from 4 April 2022), to more accurately reflect our central role in the UK Government’s international financing offer.
In the last few years, we have expanded our presence in Africa and Asia by opening new offices in Bangladesh, Egypt, Kenya, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan and Ghana; with additional locations opening soon.
We take an entrepreneurial approach to investment. We think innovatively about ways to deploy our capital, attract, and mobilise other investors, and drive transformational impact.
Deliver impact. We are a growing team of over 500 and place immense value on diversity within our organisation.
Read more about us and the new strategy at bii.co.uk
Team and role overview
Climate change is a cross cutting theme unique in terms of scale, urgency, magnitude and complexity of action and BII’s climate change strategy details the approach we are taking to mainstream climate action through both how we invest and how we operate. The upcoming year will be critical to further accelerate climate action in which BII will have a key role to play.
BII’s climate change strategy has been built on a recognition that we as an investor need to operate within the remaining global carbon budget to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius and proactively support economic transformation in the least developed countries to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 in a socially just manner while delivering on the need for economic growth and improved living standards. The strategy sets out how we aim to increase climate impact across our product lines (equity, debt, funds) and across our priority sectors. In addition, the strategy outlines how we are planning to take a whole of organisation approach on climate change through implementing the recommendations of the Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) pillars of strategy, governance, risk management and metrics.
The Climate Change Team acts as the in-house experts on climate change and works across the organisation to implement the strategy and to support transactions with a climate angle move through the process. The work is nuanced, challenging and varied. As a team we work hard, we move quickly, and we expect a lot of ourselves and each other. More importantly, we love the work we do and we have fun doing it. We’re looking for someone who’ll feel and do the same.
Purpose
The climate change intern will have the opportunity to support the team and deliver specific projects across the breadth of what we do, including Paris alignment with workstreams focused on Net Zero by 2050, Just Transition and Adaptation and Resilience & TCFD implementation.
Responsibilities
Research and support the development of sector specific tools and policies to support implementation of BII’s Paris alignment approach across Net Zero and/or Just Transition and/or Adaptation Resilience
Support preparation and external engagement before COP28
Support on data analysis and impact reporting for climate finance investments
Support workstreams on TCFD implementation.
The candidate
Background, skills, aptitude
Studying for an advanced degree (MSc, MA or MBA) & have a strong background in consulting, finance and climate change and international development
Demonstrated interest and knowledge of climate-related investment
On the ground experience in Africa/Asia is preferred
We are the UK’s development finance institution and impact investor, backed by the UK Government. With over 70 years’ experience, we are a trusted investment partner to businesses in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean. We invest to create more productive, sustainable and inclusive economies, enabling people to build better lives for themselves and their communities. We currently partner with over 1,200 businesses, working with our investees to help them succeed and grow impactful businesses.
