Commercial Associate - Public Markets at Mainstream Renewable Power

Summary Of Role
The Commercial Associate (CA) role is positioned within the Commercial team of Mainstream South Africa. The key focus of the role is to support tender initiatives, specifically the REIPPP programme, financial close, and internal project tasks. The successful candidate will support both wind and solar submissions with the potential of Battery Energy Storage. Activities will cover aspects of financing, tender structuring, project management, supporting external stakeholder due diligence, financial models, stakeholder, and partner engagement. The CA will be part of all of Mainstream’s bidding efforts into government tender opportunities, providing key supporting roles in the submission and financial close processes. The CA will also provide ongoing support to the wider Commercial team as and when required.

What You Will Do?

• Support the commercial team in REIPPPP bidding project tasks:
• Financial close process
• Internal project tasks

Core Responsibilities

• Apply the proven Mainstream tender response process to REIPPPP bid submissions and thereafter financial close, through supporting the public tender team.
• Collaborate with other Mainstream teams (development, energy analysis, procurement, engineering, grid, etc.) to execute tasks and streamline project work.
• Develop your knowledge of the utility scale Renewable Energy bidding and financial close process through understanding of:
• Provide market analysis on energy-related activities in South Africa and Africa.
• Provide updates on regulatory changes in South Africa and Africa, with a focus on energy regulators, Government departments, utilities, the Carbon Tax Act, wheeling, energy banking, grid compliance requirements and any other energy related advancements in the region.
• Support other Mainstream departments as it relates to commercial activities and outputs.

Other Responsibilities

• Positioning the Mainstream brand as a recognised leading renewable energy player with stakeholders in existing and new markets.
• Design and manage the project schedule, budget, and other project tasks for assigned projects.
• Identifying and communicating on a timely basis all project barriers and risks, together with the strategies and approaches to overcome those barriers and risks.
• Monitor SA and Africa market movements and news.
• Work with the Development team to ensure that all required consents to invest, build and operate power plants are in place to reach financial close.
• Coordinating with Procurement, Construction and Asset Management teams as applicable to ensure that procurement, engineering, energy analysis, construction and operations inputs are accurately reflected in bid responses.
• Ensure that projects are developed in accordance with Mainstream’s SHEQ policies and procedures and in accordance with all applicable legislation. This includes adherence to and continuance of ISO accreditations: ISO 140001: 2015 and ISO 450001: 2018.
• Lead project meetings and conference calls for assigned projects.

What We Require

• Understanding of the renewable energy landscape in South Africa;
• 3-5 years work experience;
• Minimum 3 year degree;
• Self-starter and problem solver;
• Motivated to succeed, be challenged and grow as an individual;
• Collaborative team player;
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills;
• Ability to take ownership and drive tasks as well as help create / modify existing strategy based on analytical learnings (thrive in an efficient work environment);
• Organised, reliable, and deliver quality output;
• Strong relationship building skills;
• Strong MS Office skillset (Excel, PowerPoint and Word) a must;
• South African citizen;
• Mindset and ability to work / communicate in a fast-paced environment;
• Fluent English language skills is a must;