AIFA Financial Advisor / Project Finance Analyst

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Perform valuation and financial analysis/modelling for investments/divestments in compliance with AIFA methodologies;
• Prepare comprehensive model documentation detailing assumptions, methodologies, and results
• Maintain meticulous records of modelling processes and methodologies to uphold our high standards and ensure consistency
• Communicate model findings and insights effectively to clients and internal teams
• Advise on risk allocation, appropriate mitigation factors and contingencies, hedging strategy, bankability issues, optimization & tax structuring;
• Prepare files for investment decision, including relevant sensitivity analysis;
• Establish projects’ impacts on financing and accounting at local and ENGIE Group level ;
• Actively support the commercial process by providing timely insights and advice on the economics and financials of commercial opportunities;
• Support the capital structuring on projects and recommend best financing strategy (based on in depth knowledge of the current banking market, capital markets, ECAs and other sources of funds);
• Support the structuring, negotiation and execution of project financing and equity transactions;
• Maintain market intelligence, screen opportunities, monitor and assess competitors’ approach to financing/funding projects;
• Handle non-project related AIFA activities (e.g. annual impairment tests, lookbacks, etc.)

Communication & Working Relationships

Internal:

• Business Development Department
• Expertise centres (IFRS, Fiscal etc.)
• Legal team
• Engineering & construction
• Globalized Corporate Finance / Treasury & Tax / Insurance Departments

External:

• Banks and International Financial Institutions
• Multilaterals / Export credit agencies
• Tax / accounting advisors and auditors
• Legal, Technical and Insurance advisors
• Partners & competitors
• Off takers / tendering authorities / Customers
• Contractors / suppliers
• Other ‘stakeholders’ and relevant parties

Qualfications, Experience and Skills

Degree / Experience

• Finance / Economics based degree or a professional qualification such as CFA, CIMA, ACA, ACCA (or equivalent) or technical qualification/degree (e.g. engineering).
• Minimum 3 years of relevant experience (preferably within a sponsor-side AIFA / project finance team or within a bank, financial advisory firm and/or accounting/fiscal advisory firm);
• Proficiency in Project Finance concepts
• Proven experience and demonstrable competency with complex financial modelling (including debt modelling)
• Advanced proficiency in excel (incl. understanding and use of basic Macros)
• Experience in supporting the financing efforts for a bid (and/or support a project to financial close) preferable
• Experience in planning and managing processes preferable
• Demonstrable prior experience of project financing for power projects in RSA, including: REIPPP, RMIPPP, ESIPPP, and private procurement bidding and financial close processes; or any other country in Africa would be a valuable experience for the role.

Behavioural Competencies

• Dynamic and results-driven work ethic
• Ability to adapt to competitive and changing environment
• Ability to take accountability for the quality of work
• Ability to work within a team of members from varying cultural backgrounds as well as with counterparts of varying cultural backgrounds;
• Ability to work together with the other departments, promotes cooperation with other departments, knowledge sharing across the team;
• Presence and interpersonal credibility advantageous;
• Ability to maintain high standards in terms of work quality, attention to details;
• Ability to multitask, to keep functioning effectively when under pressure and to maintain self-control;
• Ability to demonstrate support for innovation and for organizational changes, critical thinking;
• Ability to explore new ideas, creativity, flexibility and ability to take initiative;
• Maintains high ethical standards.

Specific knowledge / skills

• Strong and proven analytical and quantitative skills, including proficient financial modelling;
• Commercial acumen with good understanding of accounting topics and tax structures;
• Evaluation methodologies, financial models, business plans preparation, and simulation tools ;
• Demonstrable understanding and familiarity with key project finance concepts;
• Planning ability and capacity to deliver on plans and to work autonomously;
• Ability to identify and present the key aspects, challenges and potential issues of a project;
• Good negotiation skills and interpersonal skills
• Strong communication skills and team spirit

• Good knowledge of Excel, especially financial models (including VBA), Word and Power Point.

Business understanding

• Good understanding of the renewable power industry and the IPP and C&I models;
• Good understanding of banking and funding processes issues;
• Good understanding of contractual structure of a typical contracted-output IPP.

Language

• Fluent in English is mandatory, knowledge of other language(s) is a plus.

Location / travel

• Location: Johannesburg, Republic of South Africa.

Travel through Africa and possible to travel outside region (e.g. Paris, Belgium, Dubai).