Sector Specialist: Agriculture Investment Research Specialist in Pretoria

We are seeking a highly motivated individual to join a leading institutional asset manager as a Sector Specialist: Agriculture & Agri-Business. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of agriculture and agri-business through impactful investment research and strategy.

About the Opportunity

This career-defining role is within a respected investment environment managing over R3 trillion in assets across key public-sector portfolios. As the Agriculture Sector Investment Specialist, you will drive innovative and strategic research to identify investment opportunities, inform portfolio decisions, and support deal execution and post-investment value creation. You will collaborate closely with both listed and unlisted investment teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Generate forward-thinking, proprietary sector research across agriculture and agri-processing industries.
• Identify and recommend investment opportunities that align with strategic asset growth goals.
• Support due diligence and transaction evaluation for unlisted investments in the sector.
• Develop and maintain sector strategies that inform the broader investment portfolio.
• Collaborate with deal teams, research analysts, and portfolio managers to shape and execute agri-investment views.
• Supervise and mentor junior research staff.

Ideal Profile

• A postgraduate degree (NQF 8) in Finance, Economics, Agriculture, or a related field. A CFA, MBA, or Master’s degree is advantageous.
• Minimum of 7 years’ experience in Agri-Business, Agricultural Economics, or investment research within asset management, banking, or a Development Finance Institution (DFI).
• Deep understanding of investment risks, sectoral trends, and agri-financing instruments.
• Proven track record in producing high-impact sector reports and research that inform investment decision-making.
• FAIS RE5 (or willingness to obtain within 6 months).

Core Competencies

• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills.
• Sector knowledge in agriculture, food value chains, and agribusiness economics.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Resilience and agility under pressure.
• Leadership, mentorship, and stakeholder engagement capability.

Why Apply?

This is a unique opportunity to play a key role in one of the continent’s largest institutional investment environments. If you’re driven by impact, thrive on high-level research, and are motivated to influence billion-rand portfolios through your sector knowledge — we want to hear from you.

Desired Skills

• Agriculture
• Investments
• Research