Divisional Executive: Local Government Support & Financing at Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA)

Job Description    

• The Divisional Executive: Local Government Support & Finance leads DBSA’s provision of integrated financial and non-financial support to local government infrastructure programmes, ensuring alignment with the Bank’s mandate, financial sustainability, and developmental impact objectives. The role is responsible for all  aspects of planning, project preparation, coverage, and financing in the local government sector. The role is accountable for refining strategy, driving strategy execution, lending and support initiatives, and overall performance of the team, including the delivery of key KPIs. Working closely with the CIO, Coverage and Origination teams, and key stakeholders, the incumbent oversees the full lifecycle of infrastructure support and financing from planning and project preparation through to origination, structuring, execution, and implementation. The position focuses on strengthening local government capacity, accelerating infrastructure delivery, and mobilising investment through innovative financing solutions, strategic partnerships, and the development of bankable infrastructure programmes.

Key Responsibilities    
KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS

Strategic Leadership & Sector Delivery

• Provide strategic leadership across Infrastructure Planning, District Development (e.g. Partner a District), and Financing functions within the Local Government portfolio.
• Develop and execute an integrated local government support and financing strategy aligned with DBSA’s Decadal Strategy and national development priorities.
• Build and maintain a strong pipeline of bankable infrastructure programmes and projects across key sectors (water, sanitation, energy, transport, waste), delivering measurable socio-economic and developmental impact.
• Lead the design and implementation of innovative, market-responsive financing and support solutions tailored to local government needs.
• Strengthen local government capacity through integrated support, including infrastructure planning, project preparation, and access to finance.

Origination, Investment & Execution

• Lead the end-to-end lifecycle of local government support infrastructure opportunities from origination and earlystage project development through due diligence, structuring, approval, and financial close.
• Oversee the development of a high-quality, diversified pipeline of bankable projects aligned with DBSA’s mandate and investment criteria.
• Structure innovative financing and risk-sharing solutions (including blended finance, co-financing, and partnerships) to mobilise public and private capital.
• Drive all investments to be technically sound, financially viable, and deliver sustainable developmental outcomes.
• Oversee portfolio performance, ensuring asset quality, financial sustainability, and balance sheet growth.

Sector Intelligence, Policy & Thought Leadership

• Provide strategic sector insights, market intelligence, and opportunity mapping to inform investment decisions and pipeline development.
• Influence and contribute to policy, regulatory, and institutional reforms that strengthen the local government enabling environment.
• Position DBSA as a thought leader in local government infrastructure, including climate resilience, sustainable service delivery, and municipal finance reform.
• Monitor macroeconomic, fiscal, and regulatory trends impacting municipal infrastructure investment.

Stakeholder & Client Relationship Management

• Build and maintain strategic relationships with municipalities, government stakeholders, development partners, and private sector participants.
• Lead proactive client engagement to originate opportunities, shape bankable projects, and accelerate infrastructure delivery.
• Facilitate partnerships to expand DBSA’s reach, mobilise capital, and enhance development impact.
• Represent DBSA in key forums and position the Bank as a trusted partner in local government development.

Governance, Risk & Compliance

• Promote adherence to DBSA governance frameworks, regulatory requirements, and risk management standards.
• Oversee the preparation and presentation of high-quality submissions to governance structures, including Executive and Board committees.
• Maintain robust reporting, controls, and oversight mechanisms to ensure transparency, accountability, and audit compliance.

Leadership & People Management

• Lead, develop, and manage a high-performing team, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Drive talent management, succession planning, and capability development to support strategic objectives.
• Promote DBSA values and embed high-performance culture aligned with organisational goals.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Achievement of origination, approvals, commitments, and disbursement targets within the local government portfolio.
• Portfolio performance, including asset quality, Non-Performing Loan (NPL) ratios, and financial sustainability.
• Delivery of measurable development impact (e.g. infrastructure value catalysed, municipalities supported, service delivery improvements).
• Growth and quality of the project pipeline, including successful project preparation and bankability.
• Mobilisation of additional capital through partnerships and innovative financing structures.
• Client satisfaction, stakeholder engagement effectiveness, and DBSA market positioning.
• Effective team leadership, operational efficiency, and adherence to governance and compliance standards.

KEY INTERNAL LIAISON RELATIONSHIPS (*The list is not exhaustive)

• DBSA Board
• DBSA Board Committees
• Executive Committee
• Management & Employees

KEY EXTERNAL LIAISON RELATIONSHIPS (*The list is not exhaustive)

• National & Provincial Governments
• National Treasury
• International & African Clients, Development Finance Institutions (DFI’s), Donor Agencies, Funders and Other Role Players
• State-Owned Enterprises (SOE’s), Metropolitans and Municipalities
• Private Sector

Expertise & Technical Competencies    
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Minimum Qualifications

• Relevant postgraduate qualification(s) in Business, Accounting, Banking, Economics, Finance, Science, or a related discipline.

Minimum Experience

• Minimum of 15 years’ relevant experience in medium to large enterprises in banking, finance, Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) or National Treasury.
• At least 5 years’ experience as a Senior Head or Executive.
• Demonstrated experience in SOE and local government financing, structured cashflow lending, project finance, investment banking, financial modelling, and/or DFI operations.
• Proven expertise in project appraisal, deal structuring, and bringing projects to bankability and financial closure.
• Advanced financial and quantitative competencies, with deep understanding of local government, debt and equity instruments, financial markets, and associated risk management frameworks.
• Strong leadership, emotional intelligence, and ethical conduct, with the ability to lead effectively within and outside the Bank. 
• Extensive knowledge of the local government legislative and regulatory landscape in South Africa as well as complex financial and regulatory environments.
• Demonstrable experience in identifying client challenges and designing innovative financing solutions.
• Skilled communicator and negotiator with expertise at senior to executive levels.
• Proven experience working with CEOs, Executives, Board Committees, and high-level stakeholders in highly political environments in South Africa and across Africa.
• Evidence of managing large cross-functional teams and collaborating effectively with the Executive Committee (Exco) and Board.

Deadline:5th June,2026