Ulupono Initiative (Honolulu, HI)

Title: Analyst, Investments & Analytics

Managed by: SVP of Investments & Analytics

Issue Date: Jan. 23, 2023                                                                 FLSA Status: Exempt

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION: Ulupono Initiative (UI) is a Hawai‘i-focused impact investment firm sponsored by eBay founder Pierre Omidyar and his wife, Pam. The organization strives to improve the quality of life for the people of Hawai‘i by working toward solutions that create more locally produced food, increase renewable energy and clean transportation to reduce our dependence on imported oil, and better manage our freshwater resources. UI believes that self-sufficiency and resilience are essential to our future prosperity and will help shape a future where economic progress and mission-focused impact can work hand in hand. Our approach is based on systems thinking. For each of our investment areas, we aim to understand the entire landscape and identify critical intervention points that, when altered, will improve the outlook for Hawai‘i’s future and residents’ quality of life.

UI’s model allows the organization to work towards our mission in a variety of ways. We make investments in for-profit companies, provide grants to non-profit organizations, advocate on policy and regulatory issues, and we sometimes act as a catalyst or convener around critical issues related to food, energy, transportation, and fresh water.

POSITION SUMMARY: The Analyst is primarily responsible for supporting efforts across UI’s sectors and functions, including evaluating funding opportunities, performing due diligence, general research and analysis, conducting market/industry and public policy research, creating and maintaining financial models, and working with partner organizations to help them succeed. Work may include traditional for-profit investments (equity and debt), non-profit grants made through UI and its donor advised fund, public policy/regulatory advocacy work, and other strategic initiatives to advance UI’s mission. UI brings the same disciplined approach to creating value through grants, public-private partnerships, public policy/regulatory, strategic communications, sponsorships, and other initiatives as it does through creating value through traditional financial investments.  

Responsibility highlights include:

• Lead and support sector and functional areas with quantitative analysis
  • Assist and sometimes lead the financial modeling, evaluation and analysis of funding opportunities, including potential impact
  • Assist and sometimes lead the research, diligence and analytical assessment of public policy/regulatory topics and recommendations
  • Assist and sometimes take the lead in producing research and analytical support for public policy testimony, regulatory submissions and communication initiatives
• Lead and support sector and functional areas with diligence and research
  • Assist and sometimes lead due diligence to support funding opportunities, including market, industry and competitor research
  • Assist and sometimes lead the research and diligence of public policy topics, programs and recommendations
  • Assist and sometimes lead the research and diligence of existing grant and funding opportunities, including government grant programs at the State, County and Federal levels
• Lead and support writing, documenting and summarizing efforts
  • Assist and sometimes take the lead in producing project and funding documents/recommendations for internal approvals
  • Support and sometimes lead efforts to develop presentations, talking points, public policy briefs, and other materials needed for internal and external communications
  • Develop materials to summarize the analysis and research, including key points, conclusions and data visualization, as needed
• Project management and supporting key stakeholders
  • Manage and support the funding process, including coordinating and communicating with external partners
  • Provide support to and oversight of funded organizations, including developing reporting and impact metrics
• Support UI as needed
  • Work across teams to provide research and analytical support as assigned
  • Support internal strategy development, and monitoring/reporting of goals
  • Understand the implications of industry, public policy, and technology trends in UI’s primary sectors
  • Team internally to advance UI strategy and mission
  • Represent UI in a manner that is consistent with our mission and values

QUALIFICATIONS:

• 2-5 years business experience
• Bachelor’s degree from a top-tier school
• Sound analytical skills, such as financial modeling, quantitative analysis, manipulating datasets, and experience with data visualization
• Strong time management and task management skills with the ability to work on multiple projects involving different internal teams and deadlines
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint
• Collaborative team player required; need to be comfortable being evaluated on both firmwide success and individual performance
• Connection to and familiarity with Hawai‘i, desire to live in Hawai‘i, and/or desire to live and work in a multi-cultural environment required

Preferred:

• 2-3 years experience with analytical or quantitative work
• Experience/knowledge of public policy, planning, or non-profit operations and fundraising
• Experience in applying GIS, AI, and/or other technologies and techniques to statistical analysis and user-centered design
• Direct experience working in/with one of the key sectors within UI’s mission, such as experience in green businesses, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and/or philanthropy
• Prior demonstrated interest in creating positive social impact is highly desirable

How to Apply: Submit a cover letter and resume to communications@ulupono.com. (Please note that our team will be reviewing resumes and progressing with qualified candidates as submissions are received.)