Aifa Financial Advisor / Senior Project Finance Analyst

Engie Africa; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 600 000 - 1 000 000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dynamic Financial Advisor/Senior Project Finance Analyst to join their AIFA team. This role involves leading financial analysis, valuation, and structuring activities to support growth in the renewable energy sector. You will collaborate with experts to develop robust financial models and provide strategic insights for project financing. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in finance, excellent analytical skills, and a passion for problem-solving. Join a forward-thinking company dedicated to creating sustainable energy solutions and making a significant impact in the industry.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in project finance or financial advisory.
• Proven competency in complex financial modelling and analysis.

Responsibilities

• Lead financial analysis and project financing activities.
• Perform valuation and financial modelling for investments.

Skills

Financial Modelling

Problem Solving

Analytical Skills

Negotiation Skills

Communication Skills

Teamwork

Education

Finance / Economics Degree

Professional Qualification (CFA, CIMA, ACA, ACCA)

Technical Qualification (e.g. Engineering)

Tools

Excel

VBA

Job description

Join to apply for the AIFA Financial Advisor / Senior Project Finance Analyst role at ENGIE Africa. The Acquisitions, Investments and Financial Advisory (AIFA) team plays a key role in reconciling ENGIE's growth ambitions and long-term shareholder value creation objectives.

Our role is to provide valuation and structuring guidance throughout the business development process and to secure the most competitive sources of funding for our projects. The AIFA South Africa team is seeking an experienced Project Finance professional with a strong passion for financial modelling, problem solving and a drive for growth.

You will collaborate with a team of modelling experts to develop, analyse, and optimise financial models, ensuring their robustness and reliability. The Financial Advisor will be responsible for leading the financial analysis, valuation, structuring and project financing activities in support of ENGIE's activities in South Africa.

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: 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.

QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

1. 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);
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 environments;
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 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 detail;
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

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).

ENGIE Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd is committed to equality, employment equity, and diversity.

In accordance with the employment equity plan of ENGIE Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd and its employment equity goals and targets, preference may be given, but is not limited, to candidates from under-represented designated groups.

ENGIE Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd reserves the right not to make an appointment to the posts as advertised.

Candidates with disabilities are encouraged to apply for positions.

Seniority level: Mid-Senior level

Employment type: Full-time

Job function: Finance and Sales

Industries: Utilities