Programme Lead: Infrastructure Finance and Investment

POSITION INFO:
The purpose of the Infrastructure Finance Investment Lead is to drive the development and implementation of a strategy for mobilisation of infrastructure and investment efforts across economic sectors (including the tourism sector) by identifying, engaging and maintaining relationships with potential investors, financiers and strategic partners for priority projects and programmes. The incumbent will coordinate targeted investor outreach, prepare investor-facing materials, facilitate market sounding and investor engagements, and support the positioning of projects as credible and investment-ready opportunities. The role works closely with project sponsors, internal teams and public and private sector stakeholders to promote the infrastructure pipeline, track investor interest and feedback, and enable follow-up actions that advance funding, financing and partnership opportunities.   Provide strategic leadership for investment mobilisation, funding and financing across the priority investment propositions, ensuring alignment with national priorities and organisational objectives. Lead the development and execution of investment strategies, capital mobilisation plans and financing solutions to attract public, private, institutional and development finance into priority projects and programmes. Oversee the structuring, appraisal and packaging of investment opportunities to ensure projects are commercially credible, bankable, risk-informed and attractive to investors and financing partners. Build and manage senior-level relationships with investors, financiers, development finance institutions, multilateral development banks, government entities, project sponsors and strategic partners. Provide investment governance, oversight and quality assurance for funding proposals, investor engagements, transaction preparation and investment decision-making processes. Monitor investment pipeline performance, funding progress, investor commitments, risks and market trends, and provide strategic advice, reporting and recommendations to executive leadership and relevant governance structures. Establish, maintain and regularly update a Prioritised Investment Proposition (PiP) portfolio aligned to strategic goals (FDI attraction, GDP impact, youth and rural job creation). Implement a standardized process to review, assess and rank individual investment propositions for viability, strategic fit and measurable impact on FDI, GDP and inclusive employment. Maintain criteria and scorecards that weight foreign investment potential, expected GDP contribution, and inclusive job outcomes (disaggregated by youth and rural metrics). Proactively secure or facilitate finance for priority PiPs, including preparing investment-ready documentation, deal structuring and de-risking support. Match PiPs with appropriate funders—international investors, development finance institutions, national banks and impact investors—targeting partners whose mandates advance FDI, GDP growth and jobs for youth and rural communities. Track funding pipelines and close funding gaps through tailored financing strategies (blended finance, guarantees, equity, concessional debt).   Formal qualification\/degree Any of the following qualifications: Postgraduate\/NQF level 8 related qualification in Financial Engineering, Development Finance, Economics, Actuarial Science or Accounting. Work experience Minimum of 8 years of experience in mobilisation infrastructure and investment projects\/proposals across sectors, infrastructure finance, financial modelling, risk assessment, and strategic financial management, with a strong background in public-private partnerships and green finance. Managing projects projects and proposals from investment mobilization, deal making, implementation, operationalization and managing the investment commercial imperative. Additional Advantage: Minimum of 3 years’ experience working at a management level.   Additional Advantage: Registration with a statutory body or legally recognized association.   International best practice in infrastructure funding financing. Relevant Legislation such as PFMA\/MFMA Regulations, Donor Funds, PPP Framework. Strong analytical skills in assessing funding opportunities, with experience in economic modelling, policy evaluation, business model development, and financing mechanism. Knowledge of infrastructure industry trends, financial markets, and regulatory frameworks. Strong understanding of infrastructure issues and the interrelated linkages. Proficiency in financial modelling tools with ability to effectively interpret and communicate the output and recommendation.     Ability to build and manage relationships Good written and verbal communication skills Excellent scheduling and time management skills Good analytical skills Good interpersonal skills Ability to liaise and engage with both internal and external stakeholders Good technical understanding of financial concepts Ability to multitask and thrive under work pressure Ability to delegate responsibly Solutions oriented Good presentation skills Proficiency in MS Office: Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, MS Teams   UCF competency profile (behavioural) Communication Skills Relationship Building Adaptability Innovation Problem Solving Attention to Detail Teamwork Organizational Skills Resilience Ethical Conduct Continuous Learning UCF competency profile (technical) Ability to build and manage relationships Good written and verbal communication skills Excellent scheduling and time management skills Good analytical skills Good interpersonal skills Ability to liaise and engage with both internal and external stakeholders Good technical understanding of financial concepts Ability to multitask and thrive under work pressure Ability to delegate responsibly Solutions oriented Good presentation skills Proficiency in MS Office: Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, MS Teams IDC is committed to equality, employment equity and diversity. In accordance with the employment equity plan of the IDC and its employment equity goals and targets, preference may be given, but not limited to candidates from underrepresented designated groups.