Jobs at National Empowerment Fund

Job description

Strategic Leadership of Regional Operations

• Provide strategic leadership to all Regional Offices.
• Develop and implement regional investment strategies aligned to:
• NEF Strategic Plan
• Annual Performance Plan (APP)
• Organisational KPIs
• Shareholder priorities
• Government industrial policy transformation objectives
• Drive consistent implementation of investment strategy across all Regional Offices
• Develop regional performance improvement initiatives
• Lead organisational change across Regional Offices. 

Regional Investment Growth

• Drive sustainable investment growth across all provinces
• Ensure sufficient and quality deal flow to meet annual investment targets.
• Monitor pipeline conversion rates and timelines.
• Identify underperforming regions and implement corrective interventions.
• Develop regional business development strategies.
• Ensure equitable distribution of investments nationally.
• Promote investment in rural areas, townships, secondary cities and economically underdeveloped districts.

Business Development

• Provide leadership on regional business development.
• Develop strategic partnerships with Provincial Governments, Municipalities, DFIs, Industry Associations, Business Chambers, Incubators and Enterprise Development programmes
• Promote NEF products nationally.
• Identify emerging investment opportunities.
• Develop regional sector strategies.

Technical Investment Support

• Provide technical guidance to Regional Managers throughout the investment process
• Support deal origination, deal structuring, funding solutions, financial modelling, transaction packaging, pricing as well as risk identification and mitigation
• Provide technical oversight on transactions and assist on complex transactions.
• Support early review committees.
• Mentor Regional Investment Associates and Analysts.

Quality Assurance

• Ensure investment reports submitted by Regional Offices meet NEF standards.
• Review commercial analysis, developmental impact, financial assumptions and financial implications as well as funding structures and investment recommendations.
• Improve investment quality and turnaround times.
• Reduce rework by Funds.
• Ensure consistency of investment recommendations nationally.

Regional Pipeline Management

• Monitor pipeline health nationally.
• Review pipeline ageing, conversion ratios, approval rates, decline trends and turnaround times.
• Implement interventions where required.
• Ensure regional targets are achieved.

Developmental Impact

• Ensure investments maximise the employment creation, black ownership, women ownership, youth ownership, people living with disabilities, rural development, township economy, localisation and industrialisation.
• Promote investments that deliver measurable socio-economic impact.
• Ensure alignment with national transformation priorities. 

Stakeholder Management

• Maintain relationships with Provincial MECs, Municipalities, Development Agencies, Provincial Economic
  Departments, Business Organisations and Industry Associations.
• Represent NEF nationally.
• Resolve regional escalations. 

Performance Management

• Manage Regional Managers
• Monitor performance and drive accountability.
• Develop regional capability.
• Support succession planning.
• Ensure alignment of regional KPIs with organisational objectives. 

Investment Process Improvement

• Drive implementation of Standard Operating Procedures, investment governance, technology adoption, AI-enabled screening, CRM improvements and pipeline management systems.
• Ensure standardised investment practices nationally. 

Governance and Risk

• Ensure regional compliance with Investment Policies, Delegation of Authority, Risk and Governance framework, compliance requirements, monitor audit findings and implement corrective actions.

Minimum requirements

Experience / Skills Required

• Minimum 10 years investment experience with at least 5 years in senior management;
• In depth working experience in Development Finance, Corporate Finance, Private Equity, Investment Banking, Commercial Banking and Project Finance fields;
• Extensive experience in transaction structuring, investment committee presentations, financial modelling, business development, portfolio management, regional management, stakeholder engagement and leadership;
• Solid expertise managing geographically dispersed teams.

Qualification Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Management, Engineering, Commerce Investment Management or related field.
• Postgraduate qualification (e.g., MBA, CA(SA), CFA, Master’s) is advantageous.

Personal Attributes/Behaviours/Attitudes

Technical Competencies

• Investment Structuring
• Corporate Finance
• Financial Modelling
• Commercial Analysis
• Risk Assessment
• Development Finance
• Portfolio Management
• Business Development
• Stakeholder Management
• Negotiation
• Performance Management
• Project Management

Behavioural Competencies

• Strategic Leadership
• Visionary Thinking
• Decision Making
• Influencing
• Relationship Building
• Problem Solving
• Innovation
• Change Leadership
• Customer Orientation
• Results Orientation
• Integrity

go to method of application »

Job description

Deal Origination and Investment Execution

• Identify, originate, and structure commercially viable deals aligned with NEF’s mandate in the Eastern Cape.
• Assess new applications for commercial viability and eligibility against NEF’s investment criteria.
• Prepare investment proposals, including financial models, risk analysis, and investment motivations.
• Present deals to NEF Committees (Investment and Credit) for approval.
• Ensure timeous implementation and disbursement of approved transactions within set turnaround times.
• Address Credit Risk queries and Legal structuring matters collaboratively with head office teams.
• Oversee post-approval implementation and handover to Post Investment for monitoring. 

Pipeline Development and Business Growth

• Drive active deal flow generation within the province through stakeholder engagement, outreach, and business development.
• Work with municipalities, provincial departments, DFIs, and business chambers to source viable projects.
• Identify investment opportunities that contribute to job creation and provincial economic growth.
• Maintain a strong and quality pipeline that aligns with NEF’s annual investment and empowerment targets.

Financial Analysis and Modelling

• Develop robust financial models to evaluate project feasibility, profitability, and repayment capacity.
• Conduct sensitivity and scenario analyses to support decision-making.
• Support valuations, pricing, and structuring of funding packages (debt, equity, or blended instruments).
• Provide quantitative and qualitative inputs for investment reports and presentations. 

Regional Leadership and Office Management

• Oversee daily operations of the Eastern Cape Regional Office and ensure compliance with NEF policies.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to the regional analyst and administrator.
• Ensure high-quality deal screening, timely reporting, and effective client communication.
• Manage resources and workflows to meet turnaround time targets and organisational KPIs.
• Foster a results-oriented, collaborative regional team culture aligned with NEF’s core values. 

Stakeholder Management and Representation

• Represent the NEF in provincial stakeholder meetings, investment forums, and development partnerships.
• Coordinate with provincial government, business associations, and local enterprises to promote NEF offerings.
• Ensure alignment of provincial initiatives with NEF’s strategic priorities and transformation objectives.
• Promote NEF’s visibility through outreach programmes, SME workshops, and public engagements.

Minimum requirements

Experience / Skills Required

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in investment analysis, deal structuring, or corporate finance.
• Proven experience in SME funding, venture capital, or development finance.
• Strong understanding of financial modelling, valuation, and credit risk analysis.
• Exposure to legal and transaction documentation (Shareholders Agreements, SPAs, etc.).
• Demonstrated ability to originate and close transactions independently.
• Experience engaging with government and development stakeholders preferred.

Qualification Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Investment Management or related field.
• Postgraduate qualification (e.g., Honours, CFA Level 1, MBA) advantageous.

Personal Attributes/Behaviours/Attitudes

• Strong deal-making and analytical skills.
• Advanced financial modelling and Excel proficiency.
• Excellent business writing and presentation ability.
• Ability to balance developmental and commercial imperatives.
• Sound judgment, integrity, and decision-making ability.
• Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills.
• Ability to lead and inspire a small team.
• Professional maturity and self-motivation 

Attitudes and Behaviour

• Integrity and ethical conduct.
• Results-oriented and deadline-driven.
• Strategic and proactive thinker.
• Client-focused with a developmental mindset.
• Collaborative and adaptable.
• Professional representation of NEF at all times.