Lead: Socio-Economic Assessment and Impact Specialist at Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA)

Job Description

• The Infrastructure Fund (IF) was announced by the President in September 2018 to address 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 Lead: Socio-Economic Assessment and Impact Specialist will be responsible for supporting the IF in its project origination and coverage functions and formulation of strategic partnerships through various strategies in line with the vision, strategy and goals of the IF; resulting in bankable projects and programmes and significant crowding in the private sector. The role is geared toward conducting and managing the socio-economic impact studies for the IF in the course of deal origination, pipeline development and investment. This involves conducting and managing the costbenefit analysis requirements and producing dedicated infrastructure-related research that will enable the IF to make scientific investment decisions.scientific investment decisions.

Key Responsibilities    
Key Performance Areas:

Strategic Outputs and Unit Management

• Collaborate with the Head of Strategic Partnerships and Origination to formulate and implement the strategic partnerships, coverage and origination strategy in line with the vision, strategy, and goals of the Infrastructure Fund (IF).
• Support the implementation of the plans and process improvements and initiatives for the unit.
• Manage turnaround times and quality standards and resolve issues speedily with business to enhance service delivery and implement business improvement processes.
• Monitor, evaluate and drive compliance with the respective organisational policies and procedures.
• Provide technical support and execute initiatives for the IF to achieve its contracted Key Performance Indicators.
• Participate in the procurement process and management of advisors across the IF.

Strategic Partnerships and Origination

• Support the implementation of initiatives to increase the blended finance bankable programmes and projects to drive the highest impact development financing, whilst achieving financial sustainability.
• Initiate and develop new business strategies and opportunities to build a pipeline of development impact projects ensuring deal flow and bankability.
• Lead project pipeline acceptance and approval process by relevant governance structures.
• Collaborate with the Head of Strategic Partnerships and Origination to oversee client relationships across all stages of IF involvement in the project lifecycle.
• Drive sustainable advantage over competitors by deepening client relationships by providing innovative valueadded services and strategic products to our key clients.
• Work with the Head: Strategic Partnerships and Origination to collaborate with the key strategic partners within the infrastructure delivery ecosystem.
• Collaborate with the National Treasury (NT) and Infrastructure South Africa (ISA) to identify, develop, and originate projects focused on infrastructure delivery and maintenance services.
• Formulate and maintain strategic partnerships to enhance the mandate of the IF.
• Collaborate with the Infrastructure Finance, Asset Management and Treasury, Legal and Project Management
• Units to:
• Progress deals to financial close and disbursement.
• Formalise client relationships and contracts for deals originated for the IF.
• Monitor the progression of deals on an ongoing basis.
• Work in tandem with the Project Preparation Division, ISA, NT and project owners to facilitate project preparation, scoping, feasibility studies and business plans to close investment deals.
• Undertake continuous infrastructure research and provide recommendations on significant developments, emerging opportunities, and challenges in areas of responsibility.
• Research and analyse the business context, operations and financial performance in search of new opportunities.

Stakeholder Relations and Partnerships

• Build and maintain relationships, and networks with external stakeholders, partners, and clients to position IF’s projects and value proposition
• Remediate and eliminate partnership obstacles and inefficiencies, through in-depth knowledge of all new products, structured products and services offered by competitors.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, and private businesses to facilitate the identification of opportunities to initiate viable projects.
• Develop annual client plans for key clients in a business unit, including business development forecasts and key initiatives.
• Network and maintain relationships with key internal and external stakeholders to enhance the mandate of the IF
• Develop and maintain IF’s Project database working closely with the Programme Management Unit.
• Develop and present IF reports in various forums governance and committees.

Project Socio-Economic Impact Assessments

• Lead and manage infrastructure research and development.
• Collaborate with the knowledge management and economic research units of the DBSA to formulate timely research to inform decision-making.
• Partner with academic and other knowledge generators to enhance the IF infrastructure research capability.
• Develop and maintain socio-economic impact or development impact indicators for IF projects.
• Develop and maintain budget review infrastructure database information.
• Collaborate with the DBSA Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) function to incorporate retrofit these elements into the IF financing offering for compliance with relevant frameworks..
• Conduct research and analyse the client's business context, operations and financial performance in search of new opportunities.
• Lead the introduction approaches into infrastructure financing.
• Incorporate important infrastructure-related reforms into IF’s project environment.
• Manage cost-benefit analysis requirements in infrastructure financing.

Key Measurements of Outputs:

• Number of programmes/projects accepted into the IF pipeline.
• Number of potential projects originated and a number of new clients and projects.
• Value and number of projects packaged and submitted for funding consideration for Government contributions for projects/programmes.
• Value and number of project approvals, commitments and disbursements.
• Value and number of projects prepared and committed for IF pipeline.
• Value of private sector funding catalysed for approved projects/programmes.
• Value of project preparation funding mobilised.
• Partnerships established to promote IF as a leader in infrastructure development and generate deal flow.
• Successful management and implementation of agreed projects/programmes.
• Quality of delivery of projects/programmes.
• Quality of investment book.
• Investor satisfaction of invested projects/programmes.
• Number of CBA undertaken and managed.
• Number of research initiated, lead and managed.

Expertise & Technical Competencies    
Qualifications and Experience:

Minimum Requirements

• A Postgraduate Degree in Development Finance, Finance, Business Administration or Economics.
• A minimum of 10 years proven experience in infrastructure projects/programmes funding and financing, of which 5 years experience operating in middle management.
• Infrastructure financing and structuring experience will be a distinct advantage, with an identifiable example of a closed project.
• Proven ability to oversee and lead large-scale infrastructure projects and programmes and PPPs, proven ability to negotiate and close deals..
• Proven track record in formulating and maintaining strategic partnerships with the public and private sectors.
• Experience in leading, initiating and developing new business strategies and opportunities to create a pipeline of development impact projects ensuring deal flow and bankability.
• Demonstrated excellence in the field of project origination and development.
• Experience in procurement management and engagement with SCM and service providers to support business performance.
• Demonstrated ability to work on new or innovative projects/programmes and the ability to bring ideas from conception to completion.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the complex legal and regulatory environment for infrastructure and infrastructure procurement in SA.
• Proven track record of packaging, leading and preparing quality Budget Facility for Infrastructure (BFI) submissions to Infrastructure South Africa (ISA) and the National Treasury.
• Sound knowledge and a good grasp of the infrastructure landscape, financial markets political economics, macroeconomics as well as socio-economic development issues, challenges and opportunities in South Africa.
• Ability to undertake and manage a Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) to demonstrate economic costs and benefits of projects
• Ability to undertake, lead and manage infrastructure research.

Desirable Requirements

• A Masters degree in Development Finance,Finance, Business Administration or Economics.

Technical Competencies

• Business Development
• Deal Origination
• Planning and Organising
• Written Communication
• Project Management
• Commercial Business Acumen
• Presentation Skills
• Risk Identification & Assessments
• Solution Focused
• Knowledge of Contracts
• Negotiation Skills
• Financial Acumen
• Reporting & Communication

Deadline:17th June,2025