Senior/Principal Project Developer

Job Description

 

Africa50 LogoAbout the company

Leading independent infrastructure fund that focuses on high-impact African projects mostly in the energy and transport sectors. Currently require a Senior Investment Officer with 10 years experience of non-routine financing or development of private or PPP infrastructure projects.

 

Purpose of role

The Senior/Principal Project Developer role is to provide leadership, management and technical support to ensure the effective development and increased number of bankable projects for Africa50 PD.

Reports To: Project Development Director
Department: Investment
Location: Casablanca

 

Principal responsibilities

  • Work across all the infrastructure sectors
  • Develop a strong pipeline of project development investment opportunities through anticipating market trends and employing sector/country knowledge
  • Execute Africa 50’s project development investments with a strong focus on achieving bankable projects
  • Lead negotiation for infrastructure project documents, including Concession Agreements, Purchase Agreements, EPC Contracts, O&M Agreements, Supply Agreements, etc.
  • Develop a thorough understanding of the power, transport and utilities sectors, including markets, major operators and technologies
  • Have a good understanding of project and concession financing, policy issues, license conditions, tariff regimes and privatizations
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with local/regional/global infrastructure companies, banking and multilateral partners, suppliers and government officials to further develop the sector, to build consensus around project proposals and develop bankable projects
  • Lead and manage project teams, mentor and develop junior staff
  • Represent Africa 50 in project steering committees and governance bodies, as decided by Africa 50 management

 

Knowledge, Skill and Experience

  • Significant relevant work experience: At least 10 years’ development experience in private or PPP infrastructure projects; Work experience as project developer in the power or transport industries in challenging environments is a plus
  • Knowledge of overall infrastructure sector trends; experience in emerging markets especially Africa is a plus
  • Strong knowledge of project management and governance, experience in an infrastructure project company during construction and/or operation phase, at senior management level is a plus
  • Strong business and project development and client relationship skills, track record and ability to focus on clients’ needs effectively and identify potential business partners
  • Ability to generate senior government officials’ support and to create sufficient trust and confidence between investors and governments while developing bankable project structures
  • Ability to interact directly and independently with the senior management of potential clients, of financial and technical partners as well as senior government officials
  • Strong inter-personal skills, ability to interact effectively with clients and colleagues from various cultural backgrounds; living experience in emerging countries is a plus
  • Experience of successfully mentoring/developing junior investment and/or development staff
  • Operational experience of implementation of commonly used environmental and social standards in the infrastructure sector; genuine commitment to sustainable development.

 

Academic and professional qualification

  • Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent
  • MBA, MSc or equivalent qualification

 

Technical competencies

  • Deep understanding of large scale project development
  • Knowledge of how investments are structured
  • Strong understanding of project and concession finance
  • Sound knowledge of legal, policy, tax and regulatory matters
  • Fluent English (French is a plus)
  • Technical understanding of the power, transport and utilities sectors.

Behavioural/interpersonal competencies

  • Interest in Africa50’s mission, strategy and values
  • Culturally sensitive and able to relate to people of diverse backgrounds
  • Strong negotiation skills
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Able to build and maintain strong relationships at all levels
  • Ability to lead, manage, mentor and develop staff
  • Highly motivated, committed to highest ethical standards
  • Willingness to travel extensively
  • Genuine commitment to sustainable development.