Vacancies at Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA)

Key Performance Areas:

• Support the Bank in developing and implementing policy, strategy, products, and services which align with good International Industry Practice, the delivery of sustainable infrastructure solutions and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Support the application of DBSA environmental and social safeguard standards (ESSS) in all DBSA operations.
• Assess and appraise the environmental, social and governance (ESG) impact of potential investments by identifying ESG development outcomes, key risks and proposing mitigation measures. Reporting on the outcomes of these assessments to bank investment decision making structures (Development Results Working Group, Investment Committee & Board Credit, and Investment Committee).
• Support the embedding of gender considerations in the Banks operations through the implementation of the Gender Marker System in appraisal of the Banks investment and development projects.
• Provide on-going ESG monitoring and reporting on the ESG outcomes of existing investments. Where deviations to loan conditions occur, recommend corrective measures.
• Evaluate the environmental, social and governance impact of investment projects funded by the DBSA. Socioinstitutional expertise is required.
• Support reporting to international partners including the IDFC on the ESG outcomes of the DBSA portfolio.
• Build and maintain stakeholder networks and finance partnerships to promote ESG in the Banks operations.
• Provide advice to clients to support sustainable infrastructure delivery and in building and maintaining Institutional Good Governance.
• Represent DBSA at technical meetings, industry events and relevant fora.
• Assist where required on any strategic ESG related projects within the DBSA
• Mentor graduates when required.

Qualifications and Experience:

Minimum Requirements

• An advanced degree in, Social and Environmental Sciences, or any other relevant degree.
• A minimum of 8 in preparing and appraising projects for investment, quantifying development outcomes, identifying and mitigating environmental, social/governance risks.
• At least 6 years relevant experience in the development and / or infrastructure sectors (sustainable infrastructure, social infrastructure, biodiversity, water, energy, transport or similar).
• At least 4 years’ experience on assessing Socio institutional risks at a transaction/investment level.
• Demonstrate experience/ understanding in the application of good international industry practice principles in ESG such as but not limited to the UN Principles for Responsible investment, UN Global Compact, the IFC Performance
• Standards, the Equator Principles, relevant national legislation such as the National Environmental Management Act 07 of 998.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the rule of law, justice, applicable environmental and social legislative requirements, and its application to investment processes in Africa.
• Demonstrate knowledge of corporate governance and its principles (particularly within a public sector, municipal and utilities context) ESG, and responsible investing.
• Working knowledge of BBBEE and gender considerations.
• Innovative approaches/experience on how to improve ESG sustainability within development finance institutions and the financial services sector.
• Good knowledge of financial markets and ESG considerations in the development finance, financial services, and investment sector.
• Proven ability to undertake research, analyze and synthesize diverse ESG related data (especially climate related) and information to deliver independent, high-quality professional reports.
• Proven ability to communicate ideas clearly and confidently, and present ideas to clients and industry partners.
• Must be able to travel for business purposes.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Understanding of ESG reporting requirements and frameworks such as TCFD, Green House Gas Protocol etc
• Basic knowledge of carbon foot printing and carbon footprinting tools and the ability to apply the tools
• An understanding of Climate risk integration into credit risk systems will be highly advantageous
• Understanding of gender mainstreaming and grievance redress mechanisms.

Desired Requirements

• An Honours or Masters qualification in the Social / Environmental Sciences, relevant Engineering, Climate Risk management / mitigation/ adaptation, or Sustainable Development field

Professional registration with a relevant professional body such as:

• Institute of Directors
• Chartered Institute of Secretaries
• Chartered Institute of Development Finance (CIDEF)
• IAIA (SA) – International Association for Impact Assessments (South Africa)
• Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA)
• SACNASP
• Or other relevant professional body

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Strategic Direction

• Review the past decade’s strategic objectives and articulate the next decade’s strategic objectives, for approval by the JIC.
• Develop medium to long term (5-10 years) strategies in line with the Independent Power Producers Procurement Programme (IPPPP) and other energy sector related imperatives.
• Develop innovative strategies and business plans aligned to the medium-term development plan (MTDP) of the DMRE in respect of energy.
• Operationally and in respect of the IPPO itself, develop and submit the IPPO Corporate Plan(s) for approval by the JIC and the Shareholder; And develop associated execution plans, policies and procedures for the organisation.

Stakeholder Management

• Manage complex stakeholder relations and maintain effective relationships with the Ministers of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) and Electricity (MoE), associated departments and leadership (DG’s & DDG’s), the Joint Implementation Committee (JIC), National Treasury (NT) and the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), IPPO management and employees.
• Develop and grow relationships to increase the IPPO’s reach, influence and impact of the Independent Power Producers Procurement Programme (IPPPP) within the country.
• Evidence stakeholder engagement that results in increasing the shareholder and other stakeholders’ appreciation and understanding that the IPPO’s development mandate extends beyond financial returns.

Financial Management

• Evidence balance sheet and development impact growth as well as financial sustainability.
• Initiate and co-ordinate the formulation of business plans and annual budgets and monitor progress towards their achievement.
• Oversee, duly supported by the Chief Finance Officer, the preparation and submission of the annual and interim financial reports and statements.
• Prepare and provide reports as well as recommendations to the respective governance and stakeholder groups for prudent decision making.
• Monitor that effective internal controls are in place and ensure compliance with all applicable Acts, policies as well as all related protocols of good practice in all IPPO’s operations.
• Oversee the development, improvement and implementation of financial, technological and procurement policies, in line with best practices, legislation and other regulatory requirements.

Ethical Governance

• Entrench good governance principles and practices that protect the integrity of the IPPO as well as its internal and external stakeholders.
• Promote ethical decision-making processes and practices.
• Build a collaborative and trusting culture that advances employee empowerment and growth.

Operational and People Management

• Transition the IPPO to a future state of readiness in line with the key strategic imperatives.
• Maintain a strong performance culture and continued organisational capacitation of physical and non-physical assets to support delivery.
• Provide direction and management to the IPPO, to enable the strategy execution.
• Attract, retain, and develop talent and ensure succession planning and sufficient capacity and capability in all critical functions, supporting diversity strategies and initiatives as well.
• Promote IPPO values and a culture of high performance through implementing performance management in line with the planned strategic objectives, goals, quality standards and agreed key performance measures using sound performance management principles.

Minimum Requirements

• A degree with related majors in Engineering [e.g. Electrical Engineering] and/or Finance [e.g. CA(SA)], plus a relevant postgraduate degree, that is competence-related [e.g. Master’s in Engineering] and/or business related [e.g. MBA].
• A minimum of 12 years’ relevant experience in a medium to large enterprise, in the energy management sector.
• The required experience must include 5 years as an executive of a medium-size enterprise [e.g. CEO] or 5 years as a division executive of a large-size enterprise.
• A strong career track record of achievement in the medium/large enterprise, with evidenced achievement of energy management in SA.
• Well-developed financial and quantitative competencies.
• An above-average understanding of the energy sector.
• Demonstrated leadership competencies and the required emotional intelligence, ethics, to lead within and outside of the IPPO.
• Evidence of and demonstrated ability of having managed a large cross-function team of executives/senior managers.
• Demonstrated evidence of change management, business transformation and associated activities.
• A commitment to as well as an evidenced track record in good corporate governance including but not limited to the King IV, the Companies Act, PFMA, etc.
• Evidenced knowledge of government structures, regulations, compliance requirements, and policies.
• Evidenced passion for energy management, coupled with strong commercial acumen and the ability to balance development versus profitability and sustainability.