AIFA Financial Advisor / Senior Project Finance Analyst

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Perform valuation and financial analysis/modelling for investments/divestments in compliance with AIFA methodologies;
2. Lead the AIFA workstream for the assigned projects: due diligence, debt raising, negotiations;
3. Advise on risk allocation, appropriate mitigation factors and contingencies, hedging strategy, bankability issues, optimization & tax structuring;
4. Prepare and present files for investment decision, including relevant sensitivity analysis;
5. Establish projects' impacts on financing and accounting at local and ENGIE Group level;
6. Actively support the commercial process by providing timely insights and advice on the economics and financials of commercial opportunities;
7. 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);
8. Support the structuring, negotiation and execution of project financing and equity transactions;
9. Maintain market intelligence, screen opportunities, monitor and assess competitors' approach to financing/funding projects;
10. Handle non-project related AIFA activities (e.g. annual impairment tests, lookbacks, etc.)

COMMUNICATION AND WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:
Internal:

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

External:

1. Banks and International Financial Institutions
2. Multilaterals / Export credit agencies
3. Tax / accounting advisors and auditors
4. Legal, Technical and Insurance advisors
5. Partners & competitors
6. Off takers / tendering authorities / Customers
7. Contractors / suppliers
8. Other 'stakeholders' and relevant parties

QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS:
Degree / Experience:

1. Finance / Economics based degree or a professional qualification such as CFA, CIMA, ACA, ACCA (or equivalent) or technical qualification/degree (e.g. engineering).
2. Minimum 5 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);
3. More than 2 years of experience in a lead role; experience in planning and managing processes;
4. Proven experience and demonstrable competency with complex financial modelling (including debt modelling);
5. Advanced proficiency in Excel (incl. understanding and use of basic Macros);
6. Experience in supporting the financing efforts for a bid (and/or support a project to financial close) preferable;
7. 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:

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

Specific knowledge / skills:

1. Strong and proven analytical and quantitative skills, including proficient financial modelling;
2. Commercial acumen with good understanding of accounting topics and tax structures;
3. Evaluation methodologies, financial models, business plans preparation, and simulation tools;
4. Demonstrable understanding and familiarity with key project finance concepts;
5. Planning ability and capacity to deliver on plans and to work autonomously;
6. Ability to identify and present the key aspects, challenges and potential issues of a project;
7. Good negotiation skills and interpersonal skills;
8. Strong communication skills and team spirit;
9. Expert knowledge of Excel, especially financial models (including VBA), Word and Power Point.

Business understanding:

1. Understanding of the renewable power industry and the IPP and C&I models;
2. Understanding of banking and funding processes issues;
3. Understanding of contractual structure of a typical contracted-output IPP.

Language:

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

Location / travel:

1. Location: Johannesburg, Republic of South Africa.

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