Senior Fund Specialist (IFISA) at Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA)

Job Description    

• The Mandate of IFISA has been captured in a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) amongst the National Treasury, the DBSA and Government Technical Advisory Centre entered into on 02 January 2026. The MoA has been informed by an in independent business case. The Senior: Fund Specialist (IFISA) is responsible for supporting the execution of the asset management and treasury functions, which include monitoring and evaluation physical asset management, monitoring and evaluation of financing instruments, facilitating the mobilisation and crowding-in of capital through the structuring, distribution, and syndication of financial instruments in both primary and secondary capital markets.

Key Responsibilities    
Strategic Outputs

• Support IFISA’s strategic intent and progressively contribute a robust portfolio of projects, leading to improved funding and implementation opportunities.
• Support the monitoring and evaluation activities of physical infrastructure assets and financing instruments.
• Implement the M&E strategy/process/system that will ensure tracking of the implementation of projects .This would include amongst others the tracking of all projects/programmes inputs, outputs and impact results.
• Develop infrastructure investment model, strategies, tools, and products focused on core, stable cash-flow generating infrastructure assets.
• Monitor and provide recommendations to maintain and improve the financial sustainability, stability, and operational effectiveness of the Infrastructure Fund.
• Manage treasury operations including payments, liquidity, and cash management for the Infrastructure Fund.

Investment and Portfolio Management

• Develop and implement and efficient data collection processes and systems.
• Implement, monitor, and evaluate infrastructure projects and associated assets to ensure effective execution and performance tracking.
• Undertake data analysis and reporting for all relevant purposes
• Manage the implementation and ongoing management of asset portfolios in line with IFISA’s strategic mandate.
• Support governance oversight for financing instruments and physical infrastructure assets executed through IFISA.
• Prepare investment memoranda and summaries including analysis of returns, investment case development, and sensitivity/scenario analysis.
• Perform asset valuation in line with market-standard valuation frameworks and guidelines.
• Develop and utilise financial models, including capital market instrument tranching and scenario modelling.
• Conduct post-execution monitoring of investments, including quarterly portfolio performance reporting.
• Review and negotiate legal financing documents with working knowledge of inter-creditor arrangements.
• Ensure compliance with relevant legislative frameworks including Capital Market Listing Rules, MFMA, PFMA,Companies Act, and King V.
• Manage the monitoring of the projects' implementation to ensure compliance with facility agreements and contractual obligations by conducting technical reviews and risk assessments to identify and mitigate potential project execution issues.
• Engage project sponsors, advisors, and stakeholders to ensure project implementation aligns with transaction documentation execution plans.
• Prepare and submit project approval reports in line with internal governance and business plan eligibility criteria.
• Develop and implement procurement plans for projects and provide procurement support to project owners as required.
• Support the management of a portfolio of investment instruments, including but not limited to debt, equities, bonds, debentures, preference shares, and subordinated instruments.
• Oversee the management of IFISA’s assets and liabilities to ensure adequate capital and liquidity for business operations.
• Prepare and present reports, memoranda, and strategic documents for executive committees, boards, and key stakeholders.

Treasury, Liquidity and Fund Operations

• Manage the design, implementation, and monitoring of blended financing mechanisms for identified infrastructure projects.
• Maintain and build relationships with intermediaries, including rating agencies, global asset managers, and coinvestors.
• Manage accounting reporting, budgeting processes, and financial systems such as SAP.
• Drive the development and execution of the IFISA’s asset management strategy.
• Advance research and enhance the identification of refinancing and capital mobilisation opportunities.
• Manage liquidity, capital structure, and balance sheet health of the Infrastructure Fund.
• Oversee funding operations, debt issuance processes, and related financial reporting.

Stakeholder Relations and Engagement

• 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 IFISA.

Key Measurements of Outputs

• Effective monitoring, evaluation and portfolio management in line with M&E Risk Framework.
• Adequate controls and implementation of the accounting and treasury function.
• Adequate project data collection and reporting.
• Value of infrastructure catalysed.
• Value of private & public sector partnerships and funding.
• Crowding in of capital.
• Effective liquidity and investment management.
• Issuance of capital market instruments
• Clean Audit.

Expertise & Technical Competencies    

Minimum Requirements

• A Bachelors Degree in Accounting/Finance/Engineering/Mathematic/ Statistics/Business Science/Actuarial or equivalent.
• A Post Graduate Qualification.
• A minimum of 8 years’ experience including in portfolio management of project finance/listed and/or unlisted capital market instruments.
• Proven track record in managing finance, investments or assets on a portfolio basis.
• Demonstrated excellence in the field of finance and structuring of financing instruments.
• In-depth understanding and knowledge of finance and accounting, asset management, risk management and portfolio strategy knowledge and skills including understanding of systems such as SAP.

Desirable Requirements

• A postgraduate qualification CA(SA), CFA, MBA Engineer, Actuary.

Deadline:6th October,2026