Lead Infrastructure Finance Specialist at Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA)

Key Responsibilities

• Advise clients internally and externally, on the development and effective implementation of public / private investments for sustainable development in infrastructure with a specific focus on financing solutions.
• Support the expansion of IF’s project pipeline, especially in infrastructure that are being targeted to mobilise public and private sector financing.
• Support infrastructure / programme specialists during preparation, structuring, negotiation, and closing of transactions of investment and policy operations.
• Undertake the financial analysis and modelling tasks within project teams working on guarantees operations and other financial structures to mobilize commercial capital for development purposes.
• Work as an integral part of the project / programme team, to conduct due diligence for infrastructure finance operations with a special focus on structuring financial solutions for raising new funding and debt restructurings.
• Proactively develop and deliver sustainable financing structures, models and solutions for IF clients through various products which include (amongst others) blended finance structures Public Private Partnerships (PPP) structures, B-BBEE funding structures, local currency funding, guarantees and derivative hedges.
• Develop and implement various innovative financing instruments to unlock and accelerate infrastructure delivery. These instruments include (amongst others) blended finance instruments, working capital facilities, bridging finance facilities, project bonds, CPI-linked debt, green bonds, project preparation facilities, construction performance bonds, price risk management and hedging products, customised vendor financing solutions.
• Develop and implement financial advisory solutions for the IF including (amongst others)-mandated lead arranger (“MLA”) technical, financial, environmental, insurance bank services.
• Access financial markets to fund IF investments and operations to foster sustainable economic development, create wealth and improve infrastructure in South Africa by investing in infrastructure and other productive sectors.
• Lead the team to ensure that all investment projects are taken to bankability through amongst others, evaluation of the feasibility of investment opportunities with a view of ensuring that they are commercially sound prospects for financing. This must be performed in alignment with the agreed strategy and mandate; due diligence process, deal structuring, facility agreements with clients, risk mitigation, etc.
• Lead the execution of transactions and the credit approval process to facilitate the structure and negotiate the detailed terms of the deal / transaction in liaison with Treasury, Legal, Portfolio Management teams to ensure the approval of transactions through the various approval committees.
• Ensure long-term financial planning and modelling in collaboration with the Treasury and Finance teams.
• Support public sector in the development of Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) and in financing of large infrastructure projects in order to assist government’s efforts to advance Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Continually develop and manage relationships with key stakeholders and decision makers (in government entities, development banks, private companies and commercial banks) to contribute to economic and infrastructure development.
• Prepare various documents and management reports for Executive Committees, Boards and Stakeholders.
• Perform other strategic duties as assigned.

Key Measurements of Outputs

• Quality financial models and solutions
• Value and number of project approvals, commitments and disbursements
• Value and number of projects prepared and committed for approval
• Value and number of funds under management secured
• Value of infrastructure catalysed
• Quality of asset/loan book (e.g. NPL ratio)
• Value of Private & Public Sector partnerships and funding
• Clean audit

Expertise & Technical Competencies

Minimum Requirements

• Post Graduate Degree in Development Finance, Finance, Business, Engineering or Economics.
• CA(SA) and/or CFA qualification is strongly advantageous.
• Minimum 8 years demonstrable experience in project finance, the financial and infrastructure finance arena at a senior professional level.
• Demonstrated experience in infrastructure finance and development.
• Deal/Financial structuring and financial modelling of infrastructure projects for investment purposes.
• Experience in investing in infrastructure in emerging markets, ideally in a diversified portfolio in different sectors of infrastructure (energy, transport, etc.).
• Experience with working on new or innovative projects and programmes and proven ability to bring ideas from conception to completion (deal closing).
• Proven experience in project risk identification, management and mitigation.
• In-depth knowledge of the banking sector and financial markets.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the legal and regulatory environment for infrastructure procurement in SA.
• Good understanding of infrastructure investments.
• Demonstrable experience in assessing investment transaction opportunities and projects from early review to bankable debt financing deals.
• Experience with working with deal teams and assigning resources to conclude transactions.
• Proven ability to provide value to transactions for the benefit of and/or the client through knowledge of the subject, innovation and lateral thinking.
• Sound experience in private and public sector investments.
• Demonstrated knowledge of legislation, regulations, policies, processes and procedures governing the infrastructure planning and development in South Africa (e.g. PFMA).