Department: Finance
Employment Type: Contract / Temp
Location: Africa
Reporting To: Deal Lead
Description
Allied Talent Partners (ATP), a Three Cairns Group initiative, is a mission-driven, not-for-profit talent marketplace focused on solving the human capital bottlenecks slowing down sustainable development efforts in emerging economies, with an initial focus on Africa. ATP connects vetted, experienced, context-relevant professionals to high-impact opportunities in energy access and sustainable development – strengthening local capacity and fuelling economic vitality. We specialize in fixed-term, deliverable-driven engagements – from interim leadership and generalist projects to niche technical expertise – handling project scoping, talent vetting and matching, contracting, payroll, and compliance so that our clients can focus on impact.
High-Level Overview
The client, a private investment firm, is seeking a Commercial Due Diligence Analyst to support an active investment evaluation of a smart metering business. The engagement is focused on assessing the commercial attractiveness, product-market fit, and growth potential of the target company, with particular emphasis on market dynamics, customer needs, and scalability.
This is a time-bound, analytically intensive role supporting senior investment professionals and working alongside parallel technical and financial due diligence workstreams. The role is focused on producing high-quality commercial analysis and decision-ready commercial diligence outputs.
Role and Responsibilities
Role: Commercial Due Diligence Analyst Direct Report: Deal Lead Candidates Required: 1
Key Deliverables
Commercial & Market Assessment
Assess customer problem statements, use cases, and value propositions across priority customer segments. Size and segment addressable markets, identifying key demand drivers, adoption barriers, and purchasing dynamics. Analyse the competitive landscape, substitutes, and sources of differentiation.
Product-Market Fit & Growth Logic
Evaluate product relevance and fit relative to customer needs and market structure. Identify credible growth pathways, expansion opportunities, and go-to-market implications. Articulate key commercial assumptions underpinning scale, adoption, and revenue growth. Commercial Risks & Sensitivities Identify key commercial risks, dependencies, and sensitivities that could impact investment outcomes. Highlight critical assumptions requiring validation through technical or financial due diligence. Clearly surface downside scenarios and uncertainty areas for discussion with the deal team.
Interface with Technical & Financial Due Diligence
Provide commercial assumptions and analysis (e.g. market size, customer segments, adoption dynamics, growth pathways) as inputs to parallel technical and financial due diligence workstreams. Respond to information requests from technical and financial DD teams and clarify commercial logic as required. Flag material risks, dependencies, or inconsistencies between commercial findings and other DD outputs for escalation to the deal lead.
Commercial DD Outputs
Own the development of the commercial DD chapter, including drafting analysis and exhibits aligned to deal timelines and investment committee needs. Support preparation of decision-ready materials by clearly summarising commercial findings and implications.
Requirements
Experience Required:
4–7 years’ experience in strategy consulting, commercial due diligence, corporate strategy, or a closely related field. Prior experience supporting investment decisions, transactions, or diligence processes strongly preferred. Exposure to energy systems, utilities, or metering technologies is advantageous but not required.
Technical Requirements
Background in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related technical discipline preferred. Strong problem structuring, market analysis, and synthesis skills. Ability to translate technical concepts into clear commercial implications. Demonstrated interest in finance, investing, or transaction processes, with comfort engaging on commercial assumptions used in financial due diligence. Comfort working independently in Excel and Power Point to produce client-ready outputs.
Other Skills
Highly analytical, structured thinker with strong attention to detail. Comfortable working in lean, fast-paced deal teams under time pressure. Clear, concise communicator able to engage effectively with senior stakeholders.
Working Arrangement
Location: Flexible; availability during local business hours required
Travel: Occasional, as required
Terms Of Agreement
Start Date: Immediately Contracting Period: Approximately 6–10 weeks