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

Job Description    

• The Infrastructure Fund (IF) announced by the President in September 2018 addresses the need for a dedicated blended financing facility for infrastructure programme projects. The aim of the IF is to transform public infrastructure financial provisioning using “blended” finance - combining capital from the public and private sectors and Development Finance Institutions (DFIs)/Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs). This will be dedicated to meeting the financing requirements for hybrid projects.
• The mandate of the Infrastructure Fund has been captured in a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the National Treasury, Infrastructure South Africa (ISA), and the DBSA entered into on 17 August 2020.
• The role of the Infrastructure Finance Specialist is to provide financing and advisory solutions for infrastructure development.

Key Responsibilities    
KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS

Strategic Outputs

• Support the expansion of IF’s project pipeline, especially in infrastructure that is being targeted to mobilise public and private sector financing.
• 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).
• Prepare various documents and management reports for Executive Committees, Boards and Stakeholders.

Infrastructure Financing

• Prepare a project finance model using Microsoft Excel / workbook and calculation algorithms premised on accounting rules. The project finance model should be suitable for investment analysis, debt structuring and operational scenario evaluation.
• Utilise project finance models to conduct financial and sensitivity testing which are critical in determining the effects and changes in input variables on key financial outputs.
• 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 Leads during preparation, structuring, negotiation, and closing of transactions of investment and policy operations.
• Conduct the financial analysis and modelling tasks within project teams working on guarantees operations and other financial structures to mobilise 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.
• 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) 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.
• 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 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.
• Assist with 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.

Stakeholder Relations and Engagement

• 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.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients and project operators
• Network and maintain relationships with key internal and external stakeholders to enhance the mandate of the IF.
• Perform other strategic and operational duties as assigned.

Key Measurements of Outputs:

• Quality financial models and solutions
• Value and number of project approvals, commitments and disbursements.
• Value of infrastructure catalysed
• Value of Private & Public Sector partnerships and funding

Clean audit

KEY INTERNAL LIAISON RELATIONSHIPS

• Head: Infrastructure Finance
• Chief Investment Officer: IF
• CEO & Exco
• DBSA Board & Committees
• Relevant DBSA Divisions
• IF 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 Requirements

• Post-graduate qualification in Development Finance, Finance, Business, Engineering or Economics.
• A minimum of 8 years demonstrable experience in project finance, the financial and infrastructure finance arena at a mid-tier professional level.
• Experience in investing in infrastructure in emerging markets, ideally in a diversified portfolio in different sectors of infrastructure (energy, transport, etc.).
• Exposure to working on new or innovative projects and programmes.
• In-depth experience in working with deal teams private and public sector investments.
• 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 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.
• Ability to provide value to transactions for the benefit of and/or the client through knowledge of the subject, innovation and lateral thinking.
• Knowledge of legislation, regulations, policies, processes and procedures governing the infrastructure planning and development in South Africa (e.g. PFMA).