About Accion

Accion is a global nonprofit on a mission to create a fair and inclusive economy for the nearly two billion people who are failed by the global financial system. We develop and scale responsible digital financial solutions for small business owners, smallholder farmers, and women, so they can make informed decisions and improve their lives. Through targeted investment strategies, advisory solutions, and expert thought leadership, we work with local partners to develop and scale cheaper, more accessible, and customer-friendly financial solutions. Since 1961, Accion has helped build 267 financial service providers serving low-income clients in 75 countries, reaching 440 million people. More at https://www.accion.org.

About Accion Emerge

Accion Emerge makes equity investments in financial service providers that support micro-entrepreneurs and underserved populations in developing countries.

Emerge’s strategy is to take significant minority stakes in financial inclusion businesses and work closely with the Accion Advisory team to provide capital, strategic and operational support to develop sustainable companies and deliver both commercial and social returns. Our combined Emerge and Advisory team interventions incorporate a deep understanding of financial inclusion business models, customer needs and help our partners capitalize on the value of their data, leveraging technology and automation to transform their business processes, and reach their customers through the most cost-effective and convenient digital channels, lowering costs and increasing quality at scale.

Accion Emerge manages a portfolio of companies across Latin America, Asia, and Africa. We also work closely with our seed stage fintech for financial inclusion investment group, Accion Venture Lab.

Position Summary 

The spring semester intern’s main responsibility will be to assist the Accion Emerge team in their annual audit process. This is a great opportunity for someone looking to gain exposure to impact investing, financial inclusion and microfinance, while honing their economic modeling, forecasting, and research skills. The targeted time for this internship is mid-February until the beginning of May 2025, 20 hours per week. This role will be based out of our Washington, D.C. office but does offer the option of a hybrid in-person/remote schedule.  

Position Responsibilities 

Research: 

• Conduct high-level research on macroeconomic conditions and shifts in investment countries and compile findings into a report to be used in the annual audit
• Support the Portfolio Manager in putting together economic forecasting models for current portfolio companies as part of the annual audit
• Assist Portfolio Manager in updating Investment Memos as part of the audit process
• Help to determine how to better leverage our research platforms (GIIN, GPAC, etc.)
• Learning opportunity: Get an in-depth look at the work of our portfolio companies, learn about different markets and financial services industries, and gain experience in valuations and economic forecasting

Communications: 

• Possibility to contribute to internal and external communications pieces
• Help with presentation decks
• Learning opportunity: Ability to join communications meetings and hear from/collaborate with teams across Accion

Team Administration: 

• Help to organize shared files
• Help with team meetings – taking notes, keeping track of follow-up items
• Learning opportunity: Learn how to lead meetings, how to keep a team organized

Other Learning Opportunities: 

• Gain an understanding of the investment process
• Learn what factors we consider before investing in a new country
• Exposure to a wide array of financial inclusion activities across the organization
• Calls with Investment Officers to learn more about their rolesand opportunities to sit in on management calls
• Access to Accion resources more broadly

Position Qualifications

• Current first-year graduate student looking for an internship that increases their exposure to the financial inclusion industry.
• Demonstrated coursework or practical experience in micro/macroeconomics, financial modeling, and corporate finance, preferred.
• Strong attention to detail and research skills. 
• Interested in Accion’s mission and working globally.
• Willingness to embody our values of excellence, respect, and passion for social change.
  • Excellence: Accion staff should always put forth their best effort in all activities, strive for high quality of collective and individual performance; and always demonstrate honesty and integrity while in the workplace and while working on behalf of the organization.
  • Respect: Accion staff should value one another’s roles and responsibilities as much as their own, be encouraging, and value the diverse and unique perspectives of colleagues. They should honor obligations and commitments to each other and to external partners.
  • Passion for Social Change: Accion staff should be committed to making a difference in the lives of those less fortunate, value the greater good of the organization over personal gain and promote a productive workplace by acknowledging the accomplishments of others. 

Compensation:

• Hourly rate: $25.00 – $35.00
• The above salary serves as a general guideline. Accion considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, training, skills, location, current market conditions as well as internal pay alignment.

Accion is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace culture. Accion seeks qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, change of sex or transgender status, or any other basis protected by law. Accion is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities.