Lead: Project Finance Infrastructure (PSP Programme)

Job Description

The role is responsible for leading and guiding the structuring, development, execution, and implementation of infrastructure finance transactions and sustainable financing solutions that support economic development and infrastructure delivery. The role is responsible for leading transaction teams, driving innovative financing initiatives, mobilising public and private sector funding, supporting strategic infrastructure investments, and providing specialist advisory services to internal and external stakeholders in alignment with the PSP Programme’s mandate and strategic objectives.

Key Responsibilities

1. Infrastructure Finance Modelling and Transactions

• Lead the preparation, structuring, negotiation, and execution of complex infrastructure finance transactions, investment operations, and financing solutions under the PSP Programme.
• Direct advanced financial analysis and modelling within multidisciplinary project teams to support the design of complex financial structures and credit enhancement mechanisms that mobilise commercial capital for infrastructure and development finance purposes.
• Provide strategic advisory services to internal and external stakeholders on the development and implementation of sustainable public and private sector infrastructure investments within the PSP Programme.
• Contribute as an integral member of project and programme teams conducting due diligence, feasibility assessments, commercial evaluations, and financial structuring activities for infrastructure finance projects.
• Drive the progression of infrastructure projects to bankability through effective transaction structuring, risk mitigation, due diligence, and stakeholder engagement.
• Lead credit approval processes and negotiate detailed transaction terms in collaboration with Treasury, Legal, Portfolio Management, and other key stakeholders.
• Support the development and expansion of the PSP Programme pipeline, including identification and advancement of viable infrastructure financing opportunities.

2. Financial Structuring and Financing Solutions

• Develop and implement financial advisory solutions for the PSP Programme, including mandated lead arranger (MLA) services and associated technical, financial, environmental, insurance, and banking solutions.
• Lead the design and implementation of innovative and sustainable financing instruments to accelerate infrastructure delivery.
• Structure advanced financing solutions for PSP Programme clients, including blended finance structures, Public Private Partnerships (PPPs), B-BBEE funding structures, local currency financing, guarantees, and derivative hedging instruments.
• Develop and implement complex financing instruments, including project bonds, green bonds, CPI-linked debt, bridging facilities, working capital facilities, construction performance bonds, and project preparation facilities.
• Conduct financial modelling, sensitivity analysis, scenario testing, and transaction analytics to support investment decision-making and transaction execution.
• Support funding mobilisation initiatives through engagement with financial markets, development finance institutions, commercial banks, investors, and strategic partners.
• Provide integrated financial advisory services across technical, financial, environmental, insurance, and banking dimensions within infrastructure finance transactions.
• Facilitate access to financial markets to support PSP Programme investments and operations, contributing to sustainable economic development and infrastructure expansion.

3. Stakeholder and Partnership Management

• Develop and maintain strategic relationships with government institutions, development finance institutions, private sector investors, commercial banks, and infrastructure stakeholders.
• Support public sector institutions in structuring and financing Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) and strategic infrastructure programmes aligned to
• Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Represent the PSP Programme in stakeholder engagements, negotiations, industry forums, and strategic partnership discussions.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to identify investment opportunities, unlock funding, and facilitate infrastructure development initiatives.

4. Governance and Strategic Support

• Comply with governance frameworks, investment mandates, risk management requirements, and regulatory obligations throughout the transaction lifecycle.
• Prepare and review investment memoranda, transaction reports, governance submissions, Board papers, and Executive Committee reports.
• Support long-term financial planning, portfolio strategy, and infrastructure financing initiatives in collaboration with Treasury and Finance teams.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of strategic initiatives, financing frameworks, and infrastructure development programmes under the PSP Programme.
• Perform additional strategic and operational duties as required by the Head of Division.

5. People Management

• Manage internal and external teams, ensuring effective task allocation, supervision, and quality assurance.
• Lead mentor, and develop a high-performing team, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous learning to maximise individual and collective potential.
• Provide leadership and guidance to the Infrastructure Finance team and multidisciplinary project teams.
• Drive talent development initiatives, including coaching, performance management, and career pathing, to build and retain a skilled and motivated team.
• Identify training needs and support professional development initiatives to ensure staff are equipped to meet evolving demands.
• Drive a culture of innovation and continuous improvement across the agency to support strategic agility.

Key Measurements of Outputs

• Quality, accuracy, and robustness of financial models and financing solutions developed.

• Value and number of project approvals, commitments, financial closes, and disbursements achieved.

• Value of infrastructure investment and development catalysed through financing initiatives.

• Value of public and private sector partnerships and funding mobilised.

• Percentage of projects progressed to bankability and successful implementation.

• Effectiveness of transaction structuring, due diligence, and risk mitigation processes.

• Timeliness and quality of investment analysis, governance submissions, and transaction reporting.

• Compliance with governance, regulatory, and credit approval requirements.

• Stakeholder satisfaction with advisory support, financing solutions, and transaction execution.

• Achievement of clean audit outcomes and effective resolution of audit findings.

Expertise & Technical Competencies

Minimum Qualifications

• A postgraduate qualification in Development Finance, Finance, Business, Engineering or Economics.

Minimum Requirements

• A minimum of 10 years demonstrable experience in infrastructure, development or project finance at a professional level, with a minimum of 3 years’ experience in supervising a team.

• Proven track record in end-to-end transaction execution, including structuring, financial modelling, negotiation, and financial close

• Extensive experience working with projects in Public Private Partnerships (PPPs), blended finance and development finance structures, as well as debt and equity structuring

• Familiar with the credit analysis and investment approval processes.

• Extensive exposure to engaging with DFIs, commercial banks, and institutional investors

• Experience in investing in infrastructure in emerging markets, ideally in the transport sector.

• Proven experience in project risk identification, management and mitigation.

• Demonstrable experience in assessing investment transaction opportunities and projects from early review to bankable d