Investment Director Green Energy and Infrastructure, Johannesburg

Impact Fund Denmark (Formerly Ifu); Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 1 000 000 - 1 500 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading development finance institution in Johannesburg seeks an experienced Investment Director for their Green Energy & Infrastructure team. In this role, you will drive impactful investments, mentor team members, and engage with stakeholders while ensuring compliance with high ESG standards. The ideal candidate has a strong background in investment lifecycle management, particularly in the green energy sector. This position offers a hybrid working environment and opportunities for personal development.

Benefits

Hybrid workplace

Personal development training

Diverse working environment

Qualifications

• Experience in sourcing, structuring, executing, and managing investments.
• Proficiency in financial modelling, valuation, negotiation, and due diligence.
• Expertise in Green Energy & Infrastructure ideally coupled with additional sector experience.
• Ability to integrate ESG considerations into investment decisions.
• Familiarity with the African investment landscape.

Responsibilities

• Drive investment processes and ensure alignment with impact priorities.
• Mentor team members on transactions and strategic decisions.
• Engage as active owners during portfolio management.
• Build and maintain relationships with public and private sector partners.
• Ensure investments meet high ESG standards and mitigate risks.

Skills

Investment lifecycle understanding

Financial instruments (equity and debt)

Financial modelling

Impact-driven focus

Leadership skills

Interpersonal skills

Job description

Apply by 26 October

Are you motivated by creating investment with impact?

Impact Fund Denmark is currently building out a new team in Johannesburg, hiring a new Investment Director for the Green Energy & Infrastructure team. The position is based in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Green Energy & Infrastructure (GEI) is supporting the green transition which is crucial in tackling global warming and helping the communities most vulnerable to climate change adapt to its consequences. We invest in green energy and infrastructure, increasing access to clean and affordable renewable energy, as well as supporting the green transition. Focus areas are energy systems, circular economies and electric mobility.

You will be reporting to a Managing Director in Denmark and collaborate closely with colleagues in the GEI team on deals specifically in Southern Africa but also broader across Impact Fund Denmark’s markets. You will also support and collaborate across the team in Johannesburg representing Impact Fund Denmark in the region.

About Impact Fund Denmark

Impact Fund Denmark is Denmark’s Development Finance Institution. We aim to be a best-in-class impact investor by making commercial private sector investments that support the green transition, as well as building just and inclusive societies in developing countries and emerging markets. Impact Fund Denmark has a strong focus on creating sustainable and responsible businesses, which generate measurable social, economic and climate impacts as well as solid financial returns.

In alignment with Danish government’s reform of Impact Fund Denmark and the new Africa strategy, we aim to significantly scale our commitment, targeting 50% of our capital base to be invested across Africa. This ambitious expansion underscores the critical role of Africa’s private sector as a key driver of sustainable development and economic growth in the region.

The job

Key responsibilities for the role are:

Investment strategy and execution

• Collaborate to structure and drive investment processes, including due diligence, financial modelling and the development of value creation and impact creation plans.
• Source impactful investment opportunities within Green Energy & Infrastructure
• Ensure all investments align with Impact Fund Denmark’s green, just and inclusive impact priorities, as well as the SDGs.
• Utilise multiple financial instruments, including equity, debt, and guarantees, to tailor solutions to each project’s needs.

Leadership and team development

• Investment Directors mentor the team, providing guidance on complex transactions and strategic decisions.

Active ownership and value creation

• The team collectively engages as active owners, driving value and impact creation during the holding period of portfolio investments.
• Develop and implement strong value creation and impact creation plans, with Investment Directors providing strategic oversight and team members contributing to execution.
• Collaborate with stakeholders and board members to track, evaluate and refine project outcomes, ensuring alignment with Impact Fund Denmark’s mission.

Stakeholder engagement

• The team builds and maintains relationships with public and private sector partners, leveraging networks to mobilise additional capital.
• Represent Impact Fund Denmark at external events, forums and industry networks, strengthening its position as a leading impact investor.

Compliance and risk management

• Ensure all investments meet Impact Fund Denmark’s high ESG standards and adhere to legal, environmental and social compliance frameworks.
• Assess and mitigate risks throughout the investment lifecycle, with senior team members providing guidance on complex risk assessments.

In Impact Fund Denmark we attach great importance to good teamwork and collaboration, maintaining a positive atmosphere and having fun together. We help each other out, share our knowledge, and – while each of us hold high standards and integrity to our work – we don’t take ourselves too seriously and share a good laugh.

Your qualifications & experience

Key qualifications across the roles are:

Investment expertise

• Strong understanding and experience of the investment lifecycle, including sourcing, structuring, executing, and managing investments.
• Experience with financial instruments such as equity and debt.
• Proficiency in financial modelling, valuation, negotiation, and due diligence processes.

Sector knowledge

• Expertise in Green Energy & Infrastructure idealy coupled with additional sector experience
• Awareness of global trends and challenges in sustainable development and impact investing.

Impact-driven focus

• Demonstrated ability to integrate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations into investment decisions.
• Strong commitment to fostering measurable impact in line with the SDGs.

Strategic thinking and problem solving

• Ability to assess opportunities critically and design innovative solutions that balance financial returns and societal impact.
• Proven track record of identifying value creation opportunities and developing actionable strategies.

Leadership and teamwork

• Leadership skills to guide and mentor team members and manage complex transactions independently.

Communication and relationship management

• Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills to engage with stakeholders, partners, and investee teams.
• Proven ability to represent an organisation in external forums and build long-term partnerships with public and private sector entities.

Cultural and regional awareness

• Familiarity with the African investment landscape, including local challenges, opportunities, and regulatory environments.
• Ability to work effectively in diverse and multicultural settings.

Active ownership and value creation

• Experience in post-investment value creation, including portfolio management and active ownership.
• Strong capability to develop and execute Value Creation Plans (VCPs) and Impact Creation Plans (ICPs).

Note we use case studies as part of our assessment process

Impact Fund Denmark is collaborating with FB Search on this process. By applying to our applicant system, you are confirming they can process your application. To register your interest please apply via this advert.

Please reflect thoroughly about the requirements and demands of the position before submitting your application.

Working and learning at Impact Fund Denmark

Learning is an important element of working in Impact Fund Denmark, and we will support your personal development through training, sparring and by ensuring that you get exciting and challenging tasks and new opportunities for growth. When joining Impact Fund Denmark, you will take part in our extensive onboarding program to get the best possible start in your new role.

Impact Fund Denmark offers a hybrid workplace, allowing you to manage your own time effectively. We have a diverse and inclusive working environment with more than 130 talented individuals from 20+ different nationalities. We work seamlessly together with colleagues around the corner, cross the organization and between offices in Asia, Africa, LATAM and Europe.

Impact Fund Denmark (IFU – the Investment Fund for Developing Countries) is a Danish impact investor contributing to green, just and inclusive societies as well as supporting the Sustainable Development Goals. Impact Fund Denmark provides risk capital to companies operating in developing countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America and parts of Europe. Investments are made on commercial terms in the form of equity, loans and guarantees. Impact Fund Denmark has co‑invested in over 1,300 companies in more than 100 developing countries and emerging markets. Contracted investments total EUR 31 billion, of which Impact Fund Denmark has contributed EUR 3.4 billion. Capital under management will be growing from EUR 2.1 billion to EUR 5.0 billion over the next few years. Read more at Impact Fund Denmark