Full-time (40 hours per week) · Spark Breda, the Netherlands

Ever thought about reshaping how clean energy reaches off-grid communities? At Spark, we believe smart financial solutions are as essential as smart products. We're a social enterprise based in the Netherlands, committed to expanding solar energy access across Africa.
We provide solar home systems to a network of partners who sell them on a pay-as-you-go basis. But these partners need capital to scale – and that’s where you come in.
Since its launch, Spark Invest has deployed over $35 million in inventory financing across multiple countries, making Spark a leader among manufacturers in access-to-finance for the SHS sector. We’re committed to staying ahead by launching smart, agile financing solutions. Our approach blends debt, crowdfunding, results-based financing, and local partnerships to mobilise capital in underserved markets.

We’re hiring an Investments & Partnerships Manager to join our team in the Netherlands. You’ll help design and execute financial structures that drive scale. This is a front-facing, high-ownership role for someone who thrives in complexity, moves quickly, and knows how to align stakeholders.

What you’ll be doing
You’ll play a key role in scaling Spark Invest’s financing tools. You’ll work closely with Spark’s finance and commercial teams, as well as external funders, platforms, and local partners, to design and execute smart financing solutions — translating vision into action, navigating multiple stakeholders, and moving quickly from concept to delivery.

This role may also involve elements of strategic advocacy. You’ll engage with public and private sector actors to help shape financing environments that enable scale, whether through participation in coalitions, donor consultations, or policy discussions linked to Spark’s financial solutions。

1. Structuring New Financing Partnerships
Your top priority will be to identify new market opportunities and develop financing structures that help Spark’s partner network grow sustainably. This work sits at the core of Spark Invest’s growth path — you’ll help shape and implement tools that translate strategy into execution. This is a front-facing role — you’ll engage directly with partners, align diverse stakeholders, and drive progress across multiple moving parts.

• Design tailored debt solutions that fit Spark’s model and its partners’ needs.
• Develop and deliver:
  • Inventory financing backed by results-based financing (e.g. M300).
  • Crowdfunding-linked inventory financing models, working closely with platforms and guarantors to expand Spark’s existing structure.
  • Local currency financing solutions, working with banks and international lenders to lower FX risk and improve affordability.
• Build strong working relationships with lenders, DFIs, crowdfunding platforms, grant-makers, and investors to unlock capital under aligned terms.
• Stay close to the landscape — monitor developments, anticipate challenges, and bring people together to make things happen.

2. Execution of Debt Facilities

You will support the Spark Invest Lead in ensuring the timely and effective execution of Spark’s current financing facilities.

• Conduct financial due diligence on potential partners and assess their financing capacity.
• Prepare financing applications and responses to funder queries.
• Help ensure smooth, accurate, and on-time deal execution, managing documentation and support internal coordination.

3. Financial Advisory Support for Partners

Many of Spark’s partners need help navigating finance. You’ll provide light-touch advisory to help them succeed.

• Support partners in understanding financing options and how to access them.
• Build models and business cases that help them secure funding from Spark or third-party sources.

4. Developing New Financing Instruments

As Spark evolves, we expect to engage in more complex and catalytic financing to better serve our partners.

• Support the exploration and design of new instruments such as equity, mezzanine, guarantees, and blended finance tools.
• Contribute to Spark’s thinking on how and where to apply these tools effectively, based on partner needs and market gaps.

You’ll report to Shagun Jain, Commercial Director, and collaborate closely with Andres Rojas (Spark Invest Lead) and Micky van Gemert (Business Development Lead).

What you’ll bring
You have 4–5 years of experience in development finance, impact investing, or crowdfunding, with a clear track record of working in emerging markets. You are results-driven, action-oriented, and comfortable operating without needing step-by-step guidance. You take initiative, spot opportunities, and move things forward. You understand what it takes to get funding from idea to execution.

You also bring:

• Direct experience in a DFI, impact investor, or crowdfunding platform. Prior experience with crowdfunding is preferred.
• Strong knowledge of debt structuring or blended finance for energy access or last-mile distribution.
• Familiarity with donor funding mechanisms and results-based financing, such as World Bank or AfDB programs.
• Understanding of local currency financing and how to manage FX and credit risk.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills. You can distil complex market needs into actionable financing structures.
• Comfortable influencing decisions across internal and external stakeholders, even without formal authority.
• Excellent relationship-building and communication skills. You know how to connect with people, navigate different agendas, and move things forward.
• Experience working across cultures and geographies. You adapt your communication style to diverse audiences.
• Strong written communication skills. You can craft clear and compelling financing documents for diverse stakeholders.
• Experience in fast-paced or early-stage environments where flexibility and problem-solving are key.
• A practical, hands-on mindset. You take ownership and follow through.

What you’ll get

• A salary aligned to your experience (€4.200 to €4.800 gross per month) plus 8% vacation pay.
• €500 annually for professional development.
• Full commute covered with an NS Business Card (2nd class) from your nearest train station to our Breda office.
• Fresh lunches, snacks, and monthly drinks at our Breda office.
• A multicultural team across the Netherlands, Africa, and China - 15 nationalities and counting.
• Visa support for international applicants (note: Spark does not cover relocation costs).
• A chance to shape financing structures that drive real-world impact.

The recruitment process

• First conversation with Shagun (Commercial Director) and Amber (Business Manager).
• In-person interview with Andres (Spark Invest Lead) and Marcel (Managing Director) in our Breda office.
• If we both feel good, you’re in.

Department

Commercial

Locations

Breda

Remote status

Hybrid

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