Sector Specialist: Agriculture & Agri-Business / Agriculture Investment Research Specialist

About the position

Unlock Sector Growth Through Strategic Investment Research

Are you passionate about shaping the future of Agriculture and Agri-Business through impactful investment research and strategy? Do you have a track record of translating sector insights into tangible investment outcomes? A leading institutional asset manager is seeking an experienced Sector Specialist: Agriculture & Agri-Business to join their high-impact Research and Innovation team.

 

About the Opportunity

This is a career-defining role 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

• Postgraduate degree (NQF 8) in Finance, Economics, Agriculture, or related fields. CFA/MBA/Master’s advantageous.
  
  
• Minimum 7 years’ experience in Agri-Business, Agricultural Economics, or investment research within asset management, banking, or a DFI.
  
  
• Deep understanding of investment risks, sectoral trends, and agri-financing instruments.
  
  
• 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

About The Employer:

Investments