Development Officer Africa
Fulltime - Utrecht, The Netherlands

We have a unique job opening for a Development Officer Africa at Aqua-Spark!  Do you want to join us on our mission to radically change the aquaculture value chain to healthier more sustainable and more accessible production while generating financial returns for our investors.

Role summary

The Development Officer Africa plays a central role in mobilizing the capital needed to build the next generation of sustainable aquaculture companies across Africa. This role focuses on expanding the investor base for the Aqua-Spark Africa Fund, engaging development finance institutions, private investors, and mission-aligned partners who want to help build a resilient and sustainable food system. You thrive on opening doors, building trusted relationships, and translating vision into investment partnerships. You bring both commercial instinct and deep curiosity about how capital can drive meaningful change. This is an opportunity to help shape one of the most promising sustainable food sectors in the world, while building long-term partnerships with investors committed to Africa’s future.

Aqua-Spark’s mission is to move the global aquaculture industry towards more healthy and sustainable production of blue foods and aquatic materials. Aquaculture is the most efficient and healthiest food system available to mankind, if you do it right. At Aqua-Spark we are investing in companies along the value chain that demonstrate a shared vision of a sustainable future. We are building a holistic ecosystem that demonstrates that healthy and sustainable production brings better financial returns with less risk for all aquaculture stakeholders. Collaborating with value chain participants to motivate industry adoption, causing system change on a global scale.

About Aqua-Spark

Through Aqua-Spark Africa, we are expanding this mission across Sub-Saharan Africa. We believe sustainable aquaculture can play a transformative role in improving food security, nutrition, livelihoods, and climate resilience across the continent. Our goal is to help build a thriving African sustainable aquaculture industry by investing in pioneering companies and mobilizing the capital needed to scale them.

Key responsibilities

• Identify and cultivate new investment partners for the Aqua-Spark Africa Fund, with a focus on DFIs, family offices, foundations, and mission-aligned investors
• Lead investor engagement from initial outreach through to commitment and long-term relationship management
• Represent Aqua-Spark at industry events, investor forums, and conferences, expanding our network and visibility
• Build trusted partnerships with investors who share our vision for sustainable aquaculture in Africa
• Work closely with leadership to shape fundraising strategy and investor narratives
• Contribute to the development of compelling investor materials and communications
• Maintain and manage the investor pipeline and relationships in CRM system.
• Stay at the forefront of developments in sustainable finance, food systems, and aquaculture innovation

What you bring

• At least 5+ years of relevant experience in fundraising, investor relations, or business development in the investment and/or impact space
• Proven track record in bringing in and retaining significant investment relationships
• Demonstrated experience engaging with Development Finance Institutions (DFIs)
• Solid experience working in and across emerging markets, with strong cultural and contextual awareness
• Native-level English speaker with excellent communication and storytelling skills
• Comfortable speaking to senior stakeholders, both one-on-one and in group settings
• Strategic and entrepreneurial mindset with a proactive, hands-on approach
• Solid understanding of fund structures, financial metrics, and the dynamics of capital raising
• Experience with CRM tools (e.g., Salesforce, Venturelytics) and digital communications
• Deep interest in sustainability, impact investing, and Aqua-Spark’s mission
• Willingness to travel internationally
• A genuine care for the planet and ocean

About Aqua-Spark

What we offer

• Competitive salary + profit sharing
• 38 days of paid leave
• A purpose-driven, international work environment
• A collaborative, values-based team
• The opportunity to live and work in the Netherlands