Senior Fund Specialist (IFISA)

The Mandate of IFISA has been captured in a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) amongst the National Treasury, the

DBSA and Government Technical Advisory Centre entered into on 02 January 2026. The MoA has been informed by an in independent business case. The Senior: Fund Specialist (IFISA) is responsible for supporting the execution of the asset management and treasury functions, which include monitoring and evaluation physical asset management, monitoring and evaluation of financing instruments, facilitating the mobilisation and crowding-in of capital through the structuring, distribution, and syndication of financial instruments in both primary and secondary capital markets.

Minimum Requirements

A Bachelors Degree in Accounting/Finance/Engineering/Mathematic/ Statistics/Business Science/Actuarial or equivalent.

A Post Graduate Qualification.

A minimum of 8 years’ experience including in portfolio management of project finance/listed and/or unlisted capital market instruments.

Proven track record in managing finance, investments or assets on a portfolio basis.

Demonstrated excellence in the field of finance and structuring of financing instruments.

In-depth understanding and knowledge of finance and accounting, asset management, risk management and portfolio strategy knowledge and skills including understanding of systems such as SAP.

Desirable Requirements

A postgraduate qualification CA(SA), CFA, MBA Engineer, Actuary.

TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES

Detail Orientation:

Reviews all relevant information or aspects of a situation before taking action or making a decision.

Pays close attention to details that are important to others to make sure they are right.

Verifies that work has been completed according to the standards and procedures.

Planning and Organising:

Uses time management procedures effectively.

Can exercise independent judgement regarding all planning and organising issues.

Uses specialised software to plan and manage own time.

Plans and manages multiple priorities and deadlines.

Adaptability:

Is able to operate in a rapidly changing and increasingly unpredictable environment.

Gives thought to scenarios impacting the world of work and the world of business.

Written Communication:

Is relied on by others to help them write complex technical and non-technical documents and briefs in clear concise language.

Is able to determine which aspects of this knowledge area need to be transferred to others in order to achieve organisational goals.

Coaches’ others and transfers communication skills and knowledge to others.

Asset Management:

Exceptional understanding of monitoring and evaluation, finance, structuring and innovation.

Ability to function under pressure within a “start-up” environment handling multiple priorities.

Accuracy and high attention to detail.

Commercial Business Acumen:

A good understanding of business and commercial drivers impacting operations.

An understanding of general commercial strategy and the role of departmental strategy in the broader context of organisational objectives.

Is comfortable with commercial discussions notwithstanding the absence of a readily identifiable legal component.

Has the ability to structure or provide advice on legal instruments (e.g., contracts), based on strategic requirements.

Legal and Regulatory Policy Knowledge:

Knowledge of applicable legislation and the legal policies and procedures pertaining to relevant laws.

Knowledge of topics such as procurement laws, claims, financing agreements, financial laws, etc.

Knowledge and ability to enforce conditions and provisions of contracts, grants, agreements and leases.

Ability to understand legal rights and responsibilities and the possession of authority to make legal decisions.

Protects the organisation’s legal rights, utilizing a broad knowledge base of all major legal disciplines.

Presentation Skills:

Knows how to deliver arguments persuasively by employing a range of advanced presentation techniques (e.g., the appropriate use of body language, how to close a presentation so that the audience continues to think about the subject matter etc.).

Has knowledge of various feedback mechanisms to check levels of audience understanding.

Procurement Services:

Articulates and prepares required documents and related elements of the procurement request including terms and conditions for the sourcing, selection and award process.

Receives, safeguards, opens, records, tracks, assesses compliance with terms.

Develops relationships by effective resolution of complaints and concerns.

Prepares effective correspondence, questions and reports, statements of circumstance and briefing notes.

Risk Identification & Assessments:

Diagnoses significant and emerging risks to which the business is exposed.

Advises on applicable aspects of legal risk identification and assessment.

Solution Focused:

Identifies complex problems based on a broad range of factors, many of which are ambiguous or difficult to define.

While remaining guided by organisational values, identifies optimal solutions, thinking first in terms of possible approaches and flexibilities in the system vs. blind adherence to rules or procedures.

Evaluates the effectiveness and efficiency of solutions after they have been implemented and identifies needed changes.

Knowledge of Contracts:

Identify contractual issues related to monitoring and evaluation.

Has an in-depth knowledge of the legal framework and appropriate regulation. Ability to apply this to develop appropriate contractual terms, conditions and documentation.

Identifies and resolves risk and liability.

Negotiation Skills:

Has an appreciation of cultural sensitivities and differences.

Effectively employs a variety of advanced behavioural/interpersonal competencies to control the negotiation situation.

Is able to take the lead in a variety of sensitive negotiation situations requiring high levels of tact and diplomacy.

Is able to place a discrete negotiation situation within the context of a broader long-term relationship and is not threatened by conceding ground to protect the longer-term interests of IF.

Financial Acumen:

Makes sound financial decisions after having analysed their impacts on the organisation, partner agencies, and community.

Effectively prepares budgetary submissions and forecasts for own department.

Knows the internal and external factors that impact on resource and asset availability.

Is able to interpret management account reports in an operational/commercial context and take action as appropriate to maximize revenues and control costs.

Reporting & Communication:

Designs, reviews and improves reporting processes and provides guidance.

Leads production of complex environment reports, takes an editorial role, determines content and level of detail, and ensures consistent messaging and branding.

Is relied on by others to help them write complex technical and non-technical documents and briefs.

Is able to determine which aspects of this knowledge area need to be transferred to others in order to achieve organisational goals.

Coaches others and transfers communication skills and knowledge to others.

Able to communicate complex problems or concepts, by making them simple and understandable for others.

Adapts language to the level of the audience in order to ensure that the message has a positive impact and is interesting to the audience.

Is articulate, demonstrates a wide range of vocabulary, and is confident when talking to large/high level audiences.

Strategic Outputs

Support IFISA’s strategic intent and progressively contribute a robust portfolio of projects, leading to improved funding and implementation opportunities.

Support the monitoring and evaluation activities of physical infrastructure assets and financing instruments.

Implement the M&E strategy/process/system that will ensure tracking of the implementation of projects .This would include amongst others the tracking of all projects/programmes inputs, outputs and impact results.

Develop infrastructure investment model, strategies, tools, and products focused on core, stable cash-flow generating infrastructure assets.

Monitor and provide recommendations to maintain and improve the financial sustainability, stability, and operational effectiveness of the Infrastructure Fund.

Manage treasury operations including payments, liquidity, and cash management for the Infrastructure Fund.

Investment and Portfolio Management

Develop and implement and efficient data collection processes and systems.

Implement, monitor, and evaluate infrastructure projects and associated assets to ensure effective execution and performance tracking.

Undertake data analysis and reporting for all relevant purposes

Manage the implementation and ongoing management of asset portfolios in line with IFISA’s strategic mandate.

Support governance oversight for financing instruments and physical infrastructure assets executed through IFISA.

Prepare investment memoranda and summaries including analysis of returns, investment case development, and sensitivity/scenario analysis.

Perform asset valuation in line with market-standard valuation frameworks and guidelines.

Develop and utilise financial models, including capital market instrument tranching and scenario modelling.

Conduct post-execution monitoring of investments, including quarterly portfolio performance reporting.

Review and negotiate legal financing documents with working knowledge of inter-creditor arrangements.

Ensure compliance with relevant legislative frameworks including Capital Market Listing Rules, MFMA, PFMA,Companies Act, and King V.

Manage the monitoring of the projects' implementation to ensure compliance with facility agreements and contractual obligations by conducting technical reviews and risk assessments to identify and mitigate potential project execution issues.

Engage project sponsors, advisors, and stakeholders to ensure project implementation aligns with transaction documentation execution plans.

Prepare and submit project approval reports in line with internal governance and business plan eligibility criteria.

Develop and implement procurement plans for projects and provide procurement support to project owners as required.

Support the management of a portfolio of investment instruments, including but not limited to debt, equities, bonds, debentures, preference shares, and subordinated instruments.

Oversee the management of IFISA’s assets and liabilities to ensure adequate capital and liquidity for business operations.

Prepare and present reports, memoranda, and strategic documents for executive committees, boards, and key stakeholders.

Treasury, Liquidity and Fund Operations

Manage the design, implementation, and monitoring of blended financing mechanisms for identified infrastructure projects.

Maintain and build relationships with intermediaries, including rating agencies, global asset managers, and coinvestors.

Manage accounting reporting, budgeting processes, and financial systems such as SAP.

Drive the development and execution of the IFISA’s asset management strategy.

Advance research and enhance the identification of refinancing and capital mobilisation opportunities.

Manage liquidity, capital structure, and balance sheet health of the Infrastructure Fund.

Oversee funding operations, debt issuance processes, and related financial reporting.

Stakeholder Relations and Engagement

Build and maintain strong relationships with clients and project operators

Network and maintain relationships with key internal and external stakeholders to enhance the mandate of the IFISA.

Key Measurements of Outputs

Effective monitoring, evaluation and portfolio management in line with M&E Risk Framework.

Adequate controls and implementation of the accounting and treasury function.

Adequate project data collection and reporting.

Value of infrastructure catalysed.

Value of private & public sector partnerships and funding.

Crowding in of capital.

Effective liquidity and investment management.

Issuance of capital market instruments

Clean Audit.