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

PURPOSE OF THIS JOB

• The role is responsible for providing financial modelling, transaction structuring, infrastructure financing, and investment advisory support for infrastructure finance projects and programmes.

Key Responsibilities    
KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS

Financial Modelling and Analysis

• Develop, maintain, and optimise detailed project finance models using Microsoft Excel and financial modelling methodologies to support investment analysis, debt structuring, and operational scenario evaluation.
• Ensure financial models comply with lender, investor, audit, and credit committee requirements and are suitable for financing and audit processes.
• Conduct financial analysis, sensitivity analysis, stress testing, and scenario modelling to assess the impact of changes in key assumptions and input variables on project viability and financial performance.
• Translate complex financial modelling outputs into clear, concise, and actionable insights for decision-making by credit committees, investors, management, and stakeholders.
• Support long-term financial planning, forecasting, and modelling activities in collaboration with Treasury and Finance teams.

Infrastructure Financing and Transaction Structuring

• Support the preparation, structuring, negotiation, and closing of infrastructure finance transactions, investment operations, and policy-based financing initiatives.
• Participate in transaction due diligence processes, including financial, commercial, technical, environmental, legal, and operational assessments.
• Access financial markets to fund IFISA investments and operations to foster sustainable economic development, create wealth and improve infrastructure in South Africa by investing in infrastructure and other productive sectors.
• 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 financing instruments and products to accelerate infrastructure delivery, including project bonds, green bonds, bridging finance facilities, working capital facilities, construction performance bonds, and project preparation facilities.
• Develop and implement various innovative financing instruments to unlock and accelerate infrastructure delivery, including (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.
• Undertake financial analysis and modelling activities relating to guarantees operations and other financial structures aimed at mobilising commercial capital for development purposes.
• Support the execution of transactions and credit approval processes in collaboration with Treasury, Legal, Portfolio Management, and other internal stakeholders.
• Assist in negotiating commercial terms, financing agreements, facility agreements, and transaction documentation.

Investment Evaluation and Bankability Assessment

• Evaluate the feasibility and bankability of infrastructure investment opportunities to ensure commercial sustainability and alignment with strategic objectives and development mandates.
• Conduct financial due diligence, risk assessments, and investment appraisals to support investment decisionmaking.
• Analyse project risks, funding structures, repayment capacity, and mitigation mechanisms to ensure appropriate risk allocation and financial sustainability.
• Ensure infrastructure projects progress to financial close through effective structuring, stakeholder coordination, and transaction support.
• Support the expansion and management of the infrastructure finance project pipeline, particularly projects targeted for public and private sector capital mobilisation.

Advisory and Stakeholder Management

• Provide financial advisory services and technical support to internal and external stakeholders on infrastructure financing solutions and sustainable development investments.
• Support public sector institutions in the development and financing of Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) and large-scale infrastructure projects aligned to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Develop and maintain strategic relationships with government entities, development finance institutions, private sector investors, commercial banks, advisors, and other key stakeholders.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary project teams, including technical, legal, treasury, environmental, and risk specialists, to deliver integrated financing solutions.
• Support the development and implementation of advisory solutions relating to financial, technical, environmental, insurance, and banking services.

Reporting and Governance

• Prepare investment memoranda, financial reports, transaction documents, presentations, and management reports for Executive Committees, Boards, credit committees, and stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with internal governance requirements, investment policies, risk frameworks, and regulatory standards throughout transaction lifecycles.
• Contribute to governance submissions, approval processes, and strategic reporting requirements.
• Maintain accurate financial models, transaction records, due diligence documentation, and investment files.
• Perform additional strategic and operational duties as required.

Key Measurements of Outputs

• Quality, accuracy, and robustness of financial models and financing solutions developed.
• Value and number of project approvals, commitments, financial closes, and disbursements achieved.
• Value of infrastructure investment and development catalysed through financing initiatives.
• Value of public and private sector partnerships and funding mobilised.
• Percentage of projects progressed to bankability and successful implementation.
• Effectiveness of transaction structuring, due diligence, and risk mitigation processes.
• Timeliness and quality of investment analysis, governance submissions, and transaction reporting.
• Compliance with governance, regulatory, and credit approval requirements.
• Stakeholder satisfaction with advisory support, financing solutions, and transaction execution.
• Clean audit outcomes and effective resolution of audit findings.

KEY INTERNAL LIAISON RELATIONSHIPS

• Head: Infrastructure Finance
• Head: IFISA
• CEO & Exco
• DBSA Board & Committees
• Relevant DBSA Divisions
• IFISA Team

KEY EXTERNAL LIAISON RELATIONSHIPS

• Infrastructure South Africa
• National Treasury
• Government Departments and SOCs
• Public & Private Sector Stakeholders
• External Service Providers
• Development Finance Institutions
• Capital Markets

Expertise & Technical Competencies    
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

Minimum Qualifications

• A postgraduate qualification in Development Finance, Finance, Business, Engineering or Economics.

Minimum Experience

• A minimum of 8 years demonstrable experience in project finance, the financial and infrastructure finance arena.
• Demonstrated experience in infrastructure finance and development.
• Proven ability to build a project finance model using Microsoft Excel/workbook and calculation algorithms premised on accounting rules for investment purposes.
• Proven experience in developing and interrogating complex project finance models for transaction structuring, investment decision-making and Financial Close
• 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
• Proven experience in project risk identification, management and mitigation.
• Knowledge of the banking sector and financial markets.
• 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.
• Ability to provide value to transactions for the benefit of and/or the client through knowledge of the subject, innovation and lateral thinking.
• Experience in private and public sector investments.
• Knowledge of legislation, regulations, policies, processes and procedures governing the infrastructure planning and development in South Africa (e.g. PFMA).

Deadline:30th June,2026