Job Description

The purpose of this role is to build a robust pipeline of projects through the origination of innovative programmes in key infrastructure sectors in South Africa, the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and selected African Countries to provide a standardised programme design and approach in relation to governance, procurement, and funding.

Key Responsibilities

1. Programme Development

Participate in the development of programme origination strategies to unlock infrastructure projects in South Africa, SADC, and select African Countries through project preparation. Develop sector-specific strategies to promote the development of projects aligned to the development priorities of the DBSA. + Conduct market research and needs analysis to ascertain the gaps and requirements.
+ Follow sector trends.
+ Understand legislation impacting infrastructure development, e.g., the Division of Revenue Act, conditional infrastructure grant guidelines, sector governance frameworks, etc.
+ Profiling and identifying the gaps for infrastructure development for South Africa, SADC, and select African countries.
+ Comprehensively map industry or sector opportunities to generate a list of potential programmes to be developed.
Conduct in-depth macro-level feasibility assessments to provide insight into the programmes: + National, Provincial, and Local landscape sector-specific challenges.
+ Environmental and regulatory assessments.
+ Community structures and needs.
Identify, originate, and design projects/programmes at a macro level that support the annual disbursement target and the division's strategic objectives. Develop pilot projects to test the design, measure the success of the programmes, and review the design for final development and execution handover. Liaise with Programme Development Execution (PDE) department to support programme implementation, identifying funding needs for the programme and development of funding structures for projects developed through the programme. Prepare and present programme development proposals for approval by various committees. Develop funding strategies and initiate innovative fundraising and partnering initiatives. Provide a steady flow of deals into the Programme by: + Identify and structure project opportunities from a project developer/sponsor perspective.
+ Define project concept and scope.
+ Engage with clients and obtain a mandate as a project developer.
Support efficient risk management of projects (programmes), provide opportunities for equity investments in projects, and improve the quality of the loan book by: + De-risk the technical and commercial risk aspects of projects.
+ Facilitate a better understanding, assessment, and pricing of project risk.
+ Ensure DBSA has the right of first refusal to finance projects that are prepared through the programmes developed.
Actively manage programmes developed: + Manage pilot projects for the programme and initiate the preparation thereof.
+ Identify service providers required to undertake project preparation on projects developed.
+ Appraise projects and programmes (prepare proposals for DBSA's governing structures for approval).
+ Structure the PMO governance and structure.
+ Negotiate MoA with programme owner.
+ Develop profiles for PMO resources and initiate the recruitment process.
Provide comprehensive reporting on expenditure and progress on all programme management offices (PMO).

2. Stakeholder Management

Build and maintain strong relationships with clients at global, regional, and local levels, including businesses, banking, and multilateral partners and government officials, to further develop specific project preparation opportunities. Manage expectations from programme owners and ensure third-party programme mandates are understood by the DBSA teams. Liaise with Investment divisions' peers to develop a pipeline for the DBSA market at large. Contribute to the development of the DBSA's brand and reputation through positioning the bank as a partner of choice for end-to-end infrastructure development and financing across Africa.

Key Measurement of Outputs:

Sector Strategies developed and maintained. Number of opportunities identified through the sector strategy papers. Number of programmes developed. Value of bankable projects (Fee income & returns on project preparation investments). Value and number of projects approved and committed by the transacting division. Value of funds catalysed towards projects approved and committed by the transacting division. Fee Income. Quality of loan book. Percentage of loan book in priority geographies and sectors. Reduction in impairments through de-risking technical and commercial risk aspects of projects. Management of client relationships and key stakeholders. Team behavioural KPI's. Coaching and mentoring to transfer skills.

Expertise & Technical Competencies

a) Business Acumen

Reviews own actions against the organisation's strategic plan; includes the big picture when considering possible opportunities or projects, or thinks about long-term applications of current activities. Understands the projected direction of the industry and how changes might impact the organisation. Deep understanding of commercial drivers and can make decisions based on an assessment of alternatives concerning complex business situations. Deep understanding of DBSA economic priorities and how they can be implemented to meet DBSA's strategic objectives. Deep understanding of DBSA's core sector role in achieving DBSA's strategic objectives. Deep understanding of the need to coordinate efforts with many government entities, the private sector, community groups, and individuals to ensure effective implementation of new policies and regulations.

b) Project Management

Ability to plan, initiate, execute, control, and close projects related to a relevant function as well as to track and manage resources, timelines, costs, deliverables, and performance, and implement contingency plans, if necessary, to ensure projects are completed. Defines, plans, and manages large and/or strategic projects, including those with a high degree of technical complexity, with impacts across the organisation and/or with national implications. Assembles and leads diverse and multi-disciplinary teams, ensuring maximum effective resource utilisation. Successfully manages substantial project budgets and reports directly to senior managers on the progress and results of projects.

Minimum Requirements

A minimum of an Honours degree in Finance, Business, Legal, Accounting, Engineering, or Economics. At least 8-12 years' experience in infrastructure financing with a proven track record in deal origination, sourcing viable and bankable projects, structuring and closing investments in SA and the rest of Africa. Demonstrated excellence in the field of business origination and development. Experience in engaging with high-level politicians, dignitaries, and stakeholders in South Africa and the rest of Africa.

Desirable Requirements

A postgraduate qualification, preferably a CA or CFA, or MBA, would be advantageous. Project finance experience. Private equity and/or venture capital experience and track record will be a distinct advantage.

Required Personal Attributes

a) Customer Service Orientation

Tries to understand the underlying needs of customers and matches these needs to available or customised products and services. Adapts processes and procedures to meet ongoing customer needs. Utilises the feedback received by customers to develop new and/or improve existing services/ products that relate to their ongoing needs. Thinks of new ways to align offerings with future customer needs.

b) Self-Awareness and Self-Control

Withholds the effects of strong emotions in difficult situations. Keeps functioning or responds constructively despite stress. May apply special techniques or a plan of time to manage emotions or stress.

c) Strategic and Innovative Thinking

Experiments with new approaches, tests scenarios, questions assumptions, and challenges conventional thinking. Creates new concepts that are not obvious to others, leveraging internal and external sources of information, to build incremental revenue and growth opportunities.

d) Driving Delivery of Results

Sets challenging goals that will have a significant impact on the business or support the organisational strategy. Commits significant resources and/or time to ensure that challenging goals are achieved, while also taking action to mitigate risk.

e) Teamwork and Cooperation

Acts to promote a friendly climate and good morale and resolves conflicts. Creates opportunities for cross-functional working. * Encourages others to network outside of their team/department and learn from their experience.