Project Preparation Specialist (Water Partnerships Office) - Midrand at Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA)

Job Description    

The Project Preparation Specialist will be responsible for the preparation of projects accepted intthe project preparation pipeline. This entails one or more of the following roles: scope or define a project that is in an early preparation phase, for projects scoped/defined facilitate public bidding for participating in the project and conduct feasibility studies.

Key Responsibilities    

Technical Outputs.

• Prepare projects in partnership with the Head: WPO, Programme Leads and other relevant stakeholders, government, project owners/sponsors by:
• Conducting feasibility studies (economic, technical, financial, social, environmental, legal etc.)
• Manage and guide service providers procured tdthe preparation of projects tensure bankable projects are developed
• Economic cost-benefit analysis if required
• Confirm the development impact of the project and structure accordingly
• Provide innovative and flexible financial structures for (complex) transactions
• Appropriate structuring of the project (project finance or corporate finance) town, operate and maintain the project
• Provide support in the selection of WPproject preparation pipeline of priority infrastructure projects by:
• Advising on legal, regulatory and policy compliance requirements
• Providing information on the “products” and programmes the WPis offering and communicate to prospective WPclients in the public and private sectors
• Working with the relevant Programme Leads and consult with municipalities, water boards, SA Government departments, regional institutions and SOEs (where relevant) and other WPclients treview master
• plans/development plans and present potential bankable projects
• Perform project gap analyses of projects selected tdetermine level of project preparation required as per
• DBSA Project Assessment Tool (PAT).
• Identify sectoral and product experts and specialists required in line with determined project preparation work required.
• Prepare project appraisal reports for preparation facility and present tthe DBSA/WPdecision making structure for approval.
• Provide terms of reference on outstanding preparation work required tprepare the project for bankability, and the implementation agreement and monitoring plan.
• Negotiate with sponsors the preparation facility agreement and oversee the implementation of the facility in
• accordance with the implementation plan of the preparation facility.
• Oversee disbursements tapproved facility agreements.
• Present regular monitor and progress reports as per implementation plan.
• Provide technical support in the procurement of service providers texecute the preparation activities on projects.
• Provide support tProgramme Leads testablish and maintain panels of service providers.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients at global, regional, local levels including businesses, financial institutions, multilateral partners, and government officials tfurther develop specific project preparation opportunities.
• Manage relationships at various levels with the relevant project stakeholders, service providers, partners and
• lead promoters, in accordance with the project’s preparation objectives and products.
• Provide feedback on the status of clients’ application timeously and advise them on the WPO’s processes and procedures.
• Communicate continuously with clients/ projects that the WPhas funded with a view tadequately support the office’s monitoring function

Key measurement of outputs

• Number and quality of Project Preparation Appraisal Reports (PAR) submitted, approved and committed
• Number of projects successfully prepared and committed for implementation
• Disbursements on project preparation facilities
• Management of relationships with new/existing clients and service providers.
• Team behavioural KPI’s.

Expertise & Technical Competencies    

Minimum Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in Business, Economics, Engineering, or Finance.
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience in appraising, negotiating and committing project preparation in support of
• corporate finance or structured finance transactions in a financial institution.
• Experience in doing business in South Africa with Municipalities is a requirement.
• Demonstrated experience and understanding of the water sector as well as the project preparation cycle and
• requirements tprepare bankable projects
• Knowledge and understanding of all legislation relevant tthe business of DBSA/WPas well as the water sector
• (i.e., PFMA, MFMA, PPPFA, NWA, WSA, etc.)
• Strong knowledge and experience in working with local government planning cycle and processes