Senior Technical Finance Specialist (24 months fixed-term contract)

SUMMARY:
JOB PURPOSE:

• The role provides senior‑level technical finance and investment expertise across the full project lifecycle from deal origination and financial structuring to due diligence, risk management, and portfolio oversight.
• The incumbent will assess complex financial structures, ensure the catalytic use of grant funding, support pipeline development, and contribute to applied research on job creation, value chains, and the green and informal economy, including the Just Energy Transition.
  

• A degree (NQF Level 7 or higher) in Finance, Economics, Accounting, Business Management, Development Finance, or a related field.
• Formal training or qualification in project or programme management.
• 10–15 years’ experience in project finance, corporate finance, structured finance, or investment analysis, including appraisal and closing of complex transactions.
• Demonstrated experience assessing innovative or non‑standard financial structures and grant‑based funding mechanisms.
• Strong understanding of private‑sector financing, incentives, and risk dynamics. Proven ability to conduct due diligence, analyse financial statements and models, and exercise sound investment judgment.
• 5 years of experience at a senior managerial level
  

• Post graduate qualifications in Finance, Economics, Accounting, Business Management, Development Finance, or a related field.
• CFA, CA(SA), MBA (Finance/Strategy), or equivalent senior professional qualification. Experience in development finance, impact investing, blended finance, climate finance, or transition finance.
• Experience working on green economy, informal economy, or Just Energy Transition–related projects or value chains. Experience conducting or translating research on value chains, labour absorption, or economic development outcomes.

POSITION INFO:
RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Originate and develop a pipeline of high‑impact, employment‑focused investment opportunities in partnership with private sector firms, intermediaries, developers, and ecosystem partners.
• Analyse, structure, and assess complex financial instruments and funding models, including blended finance, debt structures, outcome‑based financing, and performance‑linked grants.
• Conduct rigorous financial, commercial, and operational due diligence on project applications, including assessment of financial additionality, sustainability, and execution risk.
• Identify and analyse financial, market, governance, and performance risks arising from different project structures, and recommend appropriate mitigation strategies.
• Lead and quality‑assure appraisal reports and funding recommendations submitted to Technical Evaluation and Investment Committees.
• Provide technical oversight of high‑risk or complex projects within the Jobs Fund portfolio and support remedial action where performance challenges arise.
• Conduct independent applied research on job creation opportunities, priority value chains, the informal economy, and green and Just Energy Transition–related sectors, translating insights into funding and strategy inputs.
• Present financial, risk, and research findings clearly to internal decision‑makers and external stakeholders.
• Coach, mentor, and technically support junior staff, building institutional capability in financial appraisal, risk analysis, and innovative finance.