Investment Research Specialist

**Location**:

- Cape Town, South Africa

**Application Criteria**:

- B. Com or equivalent majoring in finance, investments, economics or accounting
- FAIS compliant representative
- Honours, M. Com, CFA advantageous

**Experience**:

- Minimum of 6 years prior experience in investment/asset management industry
- Sound and broad technical investment knowledge (ideally from a quantitative background)
- An advanced understanding of the financial markets

**Reports To**:

- Investment Research Line ManagerThe Investment Research Specialist provides a research and analysis function to internal business units, external clients and network companies. The main purpose of this job is to conduct advanced research into financial asset managers, investment products and other service providers in the investment industry.

The research is not limited only to asset managers but covers broader investment topics in the industry. The research conducted by this team of analysts supports the main investment decision making forum in RisCura.
- Manage and maintain the RisCura list of preferred managers by:

- Fully understanding RisCura’s investment philosophy and the requirements for an asset manager to be included in RisCura’s list
- Scouting and researching any potential sources of new manager names in order to generate a steady stream of new investment opportunities
- Performing operational compliance and due diligence checks on service providers
- Collecting and collating asset manager information, ensuring all information is correctly captured and up to date
- Assisting with generating and maintaining a short list of asset managers (across all asset classes/regions)
- Documenting decisions relating to the reasons for asset managers being included on or rejected from short lists
- Provide input to RisCura’s main investment decision making forum by:

- Preparation of recommendations for addition to the short list
- Assisting with research and analysis as required and in preparation of investment meetings including reviews of current managers and maintaining a house-view for managers across asset classes
- Researching and identifying new areas of interest for RisCura, preparing detailed documentation and presenting these for review and consideration
- Perform investment research tasks and prepare client reports by:

- Providing analytical input and support to the Investment Research team
- Doing quantitative and qualitative analysis of portfolios
- Performing detailed portfolio analysis of sample/model portfolios and assessing their consistency with the manager’s adopted investment approach
- Identifying and clearly explaining key areas/risks/weaknesses to be monitored should a manager be appointed
- Preparing and presenting investment analytics/meeting papers prior to manager research meetings, attending and recording research meetings, etc.
- Actively and efficiently liaising with clients regarding portfolio analytics and overall supporting research activities
- Partnering with client consultants, RisCura business units and network companies regardomg their investment research requirements
- Drafting and/or final reviewing client documentation relating to their investments, specific strategies or asset classes
- Building and maintaining a network of relevant contacts within the financial/investment industry as a basis for high quality referrals and primary research
- Performing on-going monitoring of research information sources
- Sign-off Investment Research Analyst output
- Contribute to the improvement of internal operations in the Investment Research team by:

- Submitting proposals and suggestions to enhance the research process, tools, procedures and initiatives
- Designing, developing and improving research tools through internal projects
- Collaborating with members of the broader Research business unit on specific improvement projects
- Passionate about research and financial markets
- They have a strong desire to keep learning every day
- A natural collaborator and team player who also enjoys working independently
- A self-starter who can manage their own output in the absence of a rigorous daily schedule
- Understanding of investment styles, their nuances and how they blend in a multi-manager
- Quantitative ability in terms of performance and risk calculations
- Good communication (verbal and written)
- Team player
- Fluent across Microsoft Office especially in MS Word, MS Powerpoint and MS Excel
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build strong industry relationships
- Ability to manage multiple deliverables with strict deadlines both on an individual and team level
- Accuracy, attention to detail, self-motivation, and ability to work independently and use initiative
- RisCura’s main investment decision making forum
- Client consultants, RisCura business units and network companies in relation to their investment research requirements
- Building and maintaining a network of relevant contacts