Investment Associate

About the job

• We are seeking a highly-skilled and motivated Investment Associate to join our team at PowerGen. As an Investment Associate, you’ll play a critical role on our investment team. The Investment Associate will support in developing, structuring, and fundraising for new projects (across multiple countries) to transform the African power sector. This work will include building detailed financial models, corporate and project-level debt raising (in local currency and USD), complex commercial and legal structuring, government and donor engagement, and ushering projects through the development cycle (incl. Internal Investment Committee approval gates).
• Once a project reaches the implementation stage, the investment associate will support the implementation and asset management teams where necessary to inform ongoing portfolio management and investment decision-making .
• This is an excellent opportunity for individuals with a strong background in finance and a passion for the energy industry.

Activities:

• Support the structuring of project development and equity partners
• Contribution to development of projects in the portfolio with a strong focus on achieving bankable projects
• Participate in negotiations with investors, sponsors, lenders, funders
• Prepare project-related documents for internal and external audiences
• Build and maintain strong relationships with local/regional/global partners
• Anticipate market trends and employ sector/country knowledge
• Perform routine reporting functions for investors and other key external stakeholders, including data collection and financial reporting, and where necessary, liaise with other teams to provide the same

Competencies & Experience:

• 2-4 years’ investment and industry experience in project development, investment and/or project finance in the power sector within: a utility/concessions company, project finance/infrastructure departure of an international investment bank, infrastructure department in a Development Finance institution, the infrastructure / PPP department of a transaction/financial advisory firm or an infrastructure private equity fund with exposure to early/mid-stage project development
• Project management experience
• Solid understanding of concession agreements, PPA, EPC, O&M contracts
• Demonstrated understanding of project and concession financing and policy issues
• Demonstrated track record of closing transactions
• Awareness of the latest trends and developments in financing infrastructure
• Strong connection to Africa and intent to have Africa-focused career
• Strong understanding of the power sector
• Strong understanding of PPP project structuring and project finance
• Strong business development and client relationship skills, track record and ability to focus on clients’ needs effectively and identify potential business partners
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; fluent in French is a plus
• Interest in PowerGen’s mission, strategy & Values
• Strong inter-personal skills, ability to interact effectively with investors, partners and colleagues from various cultural backgrounds; living experience in emerging countries is a plus
• Prior knowledge of African infrastructure and relationships in Africa are a strong plus
• Qualities: Integrity, self-starter, curious,high initiative and bias toward action, positive attitude