Job description
Eligibility and Mandate Assessment
- Assess applications against NEF mandate, product criteria and sector priorities.
- Identify misaligned or non-fundable applications at an early stage.
- Confirm strategic fit and developmental impact alignment.
- Assess total NEF exposure and eligibility thresholds.
Technical Assessment
Evaluate the operational feasibility of proposed projects, including:
- CAPEX reasonability and alignment with project scope.
- Project implementation timelines and key execution milestones.
- Infrastructure readiness, including land, utilities, and logistics access.
- Supplier arrangements and input availability.
- Production capacity, scalability, and operational efficiency.
- Management and technical capability to execute the project.
- Compliance with sector regulatory requirements and permits.
- Technology suitability and operational processes (where applicable).
- Operational risks that may affect implementation or sustainability.
- Job creation projections and alignment with NEF developmental objectives.
Commercial and Market Assessment
- Assess industry outlook, market demand and competitive positioning.
- Evaluate pricing sustainability and business model resilience.
- Analyse route-to-market strategies and distribution channels.
- Validate demand through contracts, letters of intent or off-take agreements.
- Assess market concentration, cyclicality and seasonal risks.
Financial Assessment
Develop and interrogate financial models to assess:
- Revenue and cost assumptions.
- Contribution margins and break-even analysis.
- Working capital adequacy.
- Cash flow sustainability.
- Debt service capacity (DSCR).
- Sensitivity analysis (base, upside and downside scenarios).
- Funding structure suitability.
- Return indicators (ROI / IRR where applicable).
- Apply deal-making judgment to determine whether financial structuring is feasible and aligned with NEF risk appetite.
Compliance and Governance Screening
- Conduct preliminary compliance checks including PEP and delinquency screening.
- Verify legal entity status and ownership documentation.
- Identify potential conflicts of interest.
- Highlight governance weaknesses and regulatory gaps.
- Identify ESG and environmental compliance risks.
- Assess the applicant’s (company and shareholders) existing exposure to NEF in relation to previously approved funding.
- Flag legal and regulatory gaps.
Risk Identification and Mitigation
- Identify key credit, operational and market risks.
- Assess structural weaknesses in deal configuration.
- Propose risk mitigation strategies prior to progression.
- Ensure risk areas are clearly articulated for Fund-level due diligence.
Deal Packaging and Recommendation
- Prepare comprehensive Pre-Investment screening reports.
- Structure transactions in accordance with NEF requirements and governance requirements.
- Ensure transactions are at least 80% investment ready before referral.
- Ensure transactions are substantially investment ready before referral.
- Present vetted transactions at internal pipeline forums.
- Provide recommendations on application outcomes.
Minimum requirements
Experience / Skills Required
Minimum 4–7 years proven deal-making experience in:
- Corporate finance
- Private equity
- Investment banking
- Development finance
- Structured lending
- Demonstrated track record in:
- Financial modelling and valuation
- Structuring investment transactions
- Preparing investment committee memoranda
- Negotiating term sheets
- Identifying and mitigating investment risks
- Market, technical and industry analysis to support investment decision-making
- Prior deal execution experience is essential.
Qualification Requirements
- Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Economics, Accounting, Engineering, Business or related field
- Postgraduate qualification (MBA/CFA/CA(SA)/equivalent) advantageous
Personal Attributes/Behaviours/Attitudes
- High ethical standards and integrity
- Strong work ethic and results orientation
- Resilience and ability to work under pressure
- Strong time management and organisational skills
Apply by: 28 July 2026
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