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Climate & Nature Finance Specialist
Closing Date
2026/10/05
Reference Number
DBS260918-1
Job Title Climate & Nature Finance Specialist
Job Grade 00
Job Type Classification Permanent
Location – Town / City Midrand
Location – Province Gauteng
Location – Country South Africa
Job Profile (Downloadable) Climate and Nature Finance Specialist_Job Profile July 2026 Final 002.docx.pdf (329,09 kb) – 2026/09/20 21:20:52
Job Description
The Climate Finance Specialist is responsible for executing the origination, structuring, and appraisal of climate finance transactions across DBSA’s priority sectors. The role provides technical and operational assistance in advancing DBSA’s climate finance agenda, ensuring projects are aligned with international climate finance mechanisms such as the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Green Climate Fund (GCF), as well as global best practices.
Key Responsibilities
KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS
- Climate Finance Origination and Structuring
Support identification and conceptualisation of climate-aligned infrastructure programmes and projects.
Provide technical inputs (financial, environmental, policy) to project preparation and development.
Assist in building a pipeline of climate and nature investment opportunities by analysing market trends and country priorities.
Contribute to feasibility assessments, risk analyses, and stakeholder consultations to strengthen project design.
Support negotiations, governance approvals, and funding requests with partners such as GEF, GCF, and DFIs.
Participate in preparation of feasibility studies, safeguard reviews, and permitting processes to enable
investment readiness.
Assist in scoping and assessing market opportunities for climate finance across sectors.
Contribute to technical, environmental, and financial due diligence, including financial modelling and risk analysis.
Support evaluation of climate and nature impacts using recognised tools and methodologies.
Assist in structuring climate finance transactions (debt, equity, blended finance) under DBSA policies and standards.
Prepare inputs for investment appraisal reports, including risk assessments and climate rationale.
Support transaction documentation in collaboration with legal, risk, and investment teams.
2. Stakeholder Management
Maintain working relationships with clients, partners, and government officials to support project preparation.
Support partnerships and networking initiatives that advance DBSA’s climate finance positioning.
Liaise with investment peers to contribute to pipeline development.
Represent DBSA in technical working groups and climate-finance industry engagements.
3. Reporting and Governance
Draft accurate and timely reports to GEF, GCF, and other climate finance sources in line with accreditation, fiduciary, and safeguard requirements.
Support the management, administration, and operationalisation of DBSA-accredited climate funds, systems, and reporting frameworks.
Maintain essential documentation, data integrity, and audit-ready records across the climate finance portfolio.
Implement and refine reporting formats, portfolio dashboards, and decision-support tools to strengthen climate investment oversight and management.
Key Measurement of Outputs
Number of opportunities identified through climate finance engagements.
Contribution to programmes developed and implemented.
Value of funds mobilised from international climate finance mechanisms.
Value of bankable projects supported (fee income & returns).
Number and value of projects approved and committed by the transacting division.
Contribution to funds catalysed towards approved projects.
Quality of climate programmes supported.
Strength of stakeholder relationships maintained.
Contribution to team performance and knowledge transfer.
Expertise & Technical Competencies
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
Minimum Qualification
A Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Commerce, Engineering, Environmental Economic Sciences or a relevant field.
Minimum Experience
A minimum of 8 years’ experience in the project financing and mobilising funds for climate-related projects/investments, with 3 years focused on Climate and Nature Financing for energy, water or transport, including the technical and financial aspects of energy efficiency and renewable energy projects and investments.
Experience in renewable energy, energy efficiency, water security, sustainable transport, or related low-carbon
sectors.
Familiarity with climate investment metrics and GHG accounting tools.
Working knowledge of GEF/GCF operations, climate definitions, eligibility criteria, and fiduciary standards.
Exposure to structuring financial instruments such as debt, equity, blended finance, or guarantees.
Good understanding of climate-related markets in Sub-Saharan Africa and awareness of international best practices.
Experience engaging with stakeholders across governments, DFIs, the private sector, and financial institutions.
Experience engaging senior executives in governments, DFIs, the private sector, and financial institutions.
Track record in client relationship management and transaction execution.
Desirable Experience
A postgraduate degree in Finance, Commerce, Engineering, Environmental & Economic Sciences, or a relevant field.
Project finance, private equity and/or venture capital experience.
Experience working with innovative financing models and public-private partnerships.
Experience in mobilising climate and nature finance from UN Convention-based climate and environmental finance mechanisms.
TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES
a) Business Acumen
Reviews own actions against the organisation’s strategic plan; includes the big picture when considering possible opportunities or projects, or thinks about long-term applications of current activities.
Understands the projected direction of the industry and how changes might impact the organisation.
Deep understanding of commercial drivers and can make decisions based on an assessment of alternatives concerning complex business situations.
Deep understanding of DBSA economic priorities and how they can be implemented to meet DBSA’s strategic objectives.
Deep understanding of DBSA’s core sector role in achieving DBSA’s strategic objectives.
Deep understanding of the need to coordinate efforts with many government entities, the private sector, community groups and individuals to ensure effective implementation of new policies and regulations.b) Project Preparation
b) Project Preparation
Demonstrates a sound understanding of limited recourse and balance sheet funding, the process required to prepare projects, and financing documentation required to present projects for investment decisions.
Leads an internal team of sector specialists and analysts to appraise and present transactions to internal committees.
Appoints and leads a team of external consultants/advisors (technical, environmental, financial and legal) to prepare and present the Project Information Memorandum (PIM) to prospective financiers.
Analyses sponsors’ financial statements, understands and reviews financial models.
Demonstrates a sound understanding of the water, transport and energy sectors to identify potential fatal flaws generally associated with these sectors in projects presented and key risks to be mitigated.
c) Project Management
Ability to plan, initiate, execute, control and close projects related to a relevant function as well as to track and manage resources, timelines, costs, deliverables and performance, and implement contingency plans, if necessary, to ensure projects are completed.
Defines, plans and manages large and/or strategic projects, including those with a high degree of technical complexity, with impacts across the organisation and/or with national implications.
Assembles and leads diverse and multidisciplinary teams, ensuring maximum effective resource utilisation.
Successfully manages substantial project budgets and reports directly to senior managers on the progress and results of projects.
Identifies complex issues that need escalation and proposes appropriate corrective action by maintaining a respected profile with relevant external organisations and the research community in general.
d) Deal Structuring
Uses credit enhancement techniques to structure deals and optimise pricing in terms of Basel principles.
Has an in-depth and practical understanding of how to optimise the Capital Structure, collateral package, and debt repayment profile.
Interrogates financial models, including those with a high degree of complexity, to develop an optimal structure.
Identifies complex structural issues that need escalation and proposes appropriate bankable structures.
Demonstrates knowledge on advanced structuring including the use of derivatives, syndicated loans, synthetic loans, securitisations, Inflation linked debt, credit default swaps and subordinated debt.
Prepares specialised or tailored reports relating to new innovative instruments, gather information from a variety of sources, analyse and include in a report to new products approval committees.
Compiles comprehensive specialist reports as required for inclusion into credit committee submissions.
e) Solutions 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.
f) Planning and Organising
Coaches others on advanced planning and organising skills.
Plays a role in transferring advanced planning and organising skills and knowledge to others.
Identifies and acts on opportunities to partner with other units in the department to achieve desired results.
Develops partnership agreements that ensure winwin outcomes for all parties. Develops integrated plans for the work unit and others that interface
with the function’s budget.
Uses advanced time management processes to deal with a high workload and tight deadlines.
Organises, prioritises and schedules tasks so they can be performed within budget and with the efficient use of time and resources.
Achieves goals promptly, despite obstacles encountered, by organising, reprioritising and replanning
g) Detail-oriented
Quickly identifies relevant and irrelevant information to support accurate decision making.
Maps out all the logistics and details of a situation to ensure smooth and flawless implementation.
Consistently identifies all relevant details that are not obvious in complex situations.
Requires the highest standards for accuracy and quality for their work.
Establishes processes to ensure accuracy and quality of services delivered by the team.
h) 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.
Can determine which aspects of this knowledge area need to be transferred to others 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 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.
i) 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.).
Knows various feedback mechanisms to check levels of audience understanding.
Required Personal Attributes
BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES
a) Customer Service Orientation
Tries to understand the underlying needs of customers and matches these needs to available or customised products and services.
Adapts processes and procedures to meet ongoing customer needs.
Utilises the feedback received by customers, in order to develop new and/or improve existing services/ products that relate to their on-going needs.
Thinks of new ways to align DBSA’s offerings with future customer needs.
b) Self-Awareness and Self-Control
Withholds effects of strong emotions in difficult situations.
Keeps functioning or responds constructively despite stress.
May apply special techniques or plan ahead of time to manage emotions or stress.
c) Strategic and Innovative Thinking
Experiments with new approaches, tests scenarios, questions assumptions and challenges conventional thinking.
Creates new concepts that are not obvious to others, leveraging internal and external sources of information, to build incremental revenue and growth opportunities.
d) Driving Delivery of Results
Sets challenging goals that will have a significant impact on the business or support the organisational strategy.
Commits significant resources and/or time to ensure that challenging goals are achieved, while also taking action to mitigate risk.
e) Teamwork and Cooperation
Acts to promote a friendly climate and good morale and resolves conflicts.
Creates opportunities for cross-functional working.
Encourages others to network outside of their team/department and learn from their experience.
The KPA’s, competencies and relationships listed in this document are not exhaustive, and the incumbent will be expected to undertake additional duties within their capacity to meet the needs of business and/or the business unit.
Click here to apply
Climate & Nature Specialist
Closing Date
2026/10/05
Reference Number
DBS260917-5
Job Title Climate & Nature Specialist
Job Grade 00
Job Type Classification Permanent
Location – Town / City Midrand
Location – Province Gauteng
Location – Country South Africa
Job Profile (Downloadable) Job Profile Climate and Nature Specialist_July 2026 Final.docx.pdf (342,12 kb) – 2026/09/17 16:42:48
Job Description
The Climate and Nature Specialist is responsible for providing technical and operational support on climate finance, climate policy, and green investment across DBSA sectors. The role assists in mobilising climate and nature finance from global mechanisms such as the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the Green Climate Fund (GCF), and other climate and nature financing mechanisms. This position contributes to embedding climate and nature considerations into DBSA’s operations and supports the achievement of the Bank’s climate and nature finance targets.
Key Responsibilities
Climate Finance Advisory & Mobilisation
Provide advisory support on GEF/GCF climate finance processes and opportunities.
Assist in identifying co-financing opportunities leveraging GEF/GCF funding.
Support partnerships with internal lending units, DFIs, and private investors to expand access to climate finance.
Contribute to advisory work on adaptation and mitigation financing mechanisms.
Assist in preparation of policy submissions to GEF/GCF, UNFCCC mechanisms, and other fora.
Support DBSA’s representation at climate finance meetings by preparing briefing notes and key messages.
Provide technical input on national and international climate policy, including NDC implementation.
Project Appraisal and Portfolio Support
Support appraisal and monitoring of climate finance projects, ensuring compliance with safeguards and accreditation requirements.
Assist executing agencies with procurement, reporting, and documentation for GEF/GCF projects.
Prepare technical inputs for project documentation, supervision missions, and evaluations.
Stakeholder Management
Build and maintain working relationships with clients, partners, and government officials to support project preparation.
Support partnerships and networking initiatives that strengthen DBSA’s climate finance positioning.
Liaise with investment peers to contribute to pipeline development.
Represent DBSA in technical working groups and industry engagements.
Reporting and Governance
Draft accurate and timely reports to GEF, GCF, and other climate finance sources in line with accreditation, fiduciary, and safeguard requirements.
Support the management, administration, and operationalisation of DBSA-accredited climate funds, systems, and reporting frameworks.
Maintain essential documentation, data integrity, and audit-ready records across the climate finance portfolio.
Implement and refine reporting formats, portfolio dashboards, and decision-support tools to strengthen climate investment oversight and management.
Key Measurement of Outputs
Number of opportunities identified and supported.
Contribution to programmes developed and capitalised through climate and nature funds.
Value of bankable projects supported.
Percentage greening of loan book influenced by specialist inputs.
Quality of stakeholder relationships maintained.
Contribution to team performance and knowledge transfer.
Expertise & Technical Competencies
Minimum Qualification
A Bachelors Degree in Environmental/Natural Sciences, Engineering, Finance, Commerce, Economics or a relevant field.
Minimum Experience
A minimum of 8 years’ experience in the climate and nature/environmental sector or the financial/DFI/development sector with a focus on Climate and Nature Financing or project development for energy, water or transport, including the technical and financial aspects of energy efficiency and renewable energy projects and investments.
Experience in climate change adaptation, nature-based solutions, resilience or mitigation.
Experience in renewable energy, energy efficiency, water security, sustainable transport, or related low-carbon sectors
Proven expertise in climate & nature metrics and GHG accounting tools.
Understanding of GEF/GCF operations, climate and nature definitions, eligibility criteria, and fiduciary standards.
Knowledge of climate-related markets in Sub-Saharan Africa and international best practices.
Experience engaging senior executives in government, DFIs, the private sector, and DFI/financial institutions.
Track record in client relationship management and transaction execution.
Desirable Requirements
A Master’s in Environmental Science related qualification, an MBA or a relevant master’s degree.
Experience in policy dialogue and stakeholder engagement on climate issues.
TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES
Business Acumen
Reviews own actions against the organisation’s strategic plan; includes the big picture when considering possible opportunities or projects, or thinks about long-term applications of current activities.
Understands the projected direction of the industry and how changes might impact the organisation.
Deep understanding of commercial drivers and can make decisions based on an assessment of alternatives concerning complex business situations.
Deep understanding of DBSA economic priorities and how they can be implemented to meet DBSA’s strategic objectives.
Deep understanding of DBSA’s core sector role in achieving DBSA’s strategic objectives.
Deep understanding of the need to coordinate efforts with many government entities, the private sector, community groups and individuals to ensure effective implementation of new policies and regulations.
Project Preparation
Demonstrates a sound understanding of limited recourse and balance sheet funding, the process required to prepare projects, and financing documentation required to present projects for investment decisions.
Leads an internal team of sector specialists and analysts to appraise and present transactions to internal committees.
Appoints and leads a team of external consultants/advisors (technical, environmental, financial and legal) to prepare and present the Project Information Memorandum (PIM) to prospective financiers.
Analyses sponsors’ financial statements, understands and reviews financial models.
Demonstrates a sound understanding of the water, transport and energy sectors to identify potential fatal flaws generally associated with these sectors in projects presented and key risks to be mitigated.
Project Management
Ability to plan, initiate, execute, control and close projects related to a relevant function as well as to track and manage resources, timelines, costs, deliverables and performance, and implement contingency plans, if necessary, to ensure projects are completed.
Defines, plans and manages large and/or strategic projects, including those with a high degree of technical complexity, with impacts across the organisation and/or with national implications.
Assembles and leads diverse and multidisciplinary teams, ensuring maximum effective resource utilisation.
Successfully manages substantial project budgets and reports directly to senior managers on the progress and results of projects.
Identifies complex issues that need escalation and proposes appropriate corrective action by maintaining a respected profile with relevant external organisations and the research community in general.
Solutions 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.
Planning and Organising
Coaches others on advanced planning and organising skills.
Plays a role in transferring advanced planning and organising skills and knowledge to others.
Identifies and acts on opportunities to partner with other units in the department to achieve desired results.
Develops partnership agreements that ensure winwin outcomes for all parties.
Develops integrated plans for the work unit and others that interface with the function’s budget.
Uses advanced time management processes to deal with a high workload and tight deadlines.
Organises, prioritises and schedules tasks so they can be performed within budget and with the efficient use of time and resources.
Achieves goals promptly, despite obstacles encountered, by organising, reprioritising and replanning
Detail-oriented
Quickly identifies relevant and irrelevant information to support accurate decision making.
Maps out all the logistics and details of a situation to ensure smooth and flawless implementation.
Consistently identifies all relevant details that are not obvious in complex situations.
Requires the highest standards for accuracy and quality for their work.
Establishes processes to ensure accuracy and quality of services delivered by the team.
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.
Can determine which aspects of this knowledge area need to be transferred to others 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 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.
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.).
Knows various feedback mechanisms to check levels of audience understanding.
*The KPA’s, competencies and relationships listed in this document are not exhaustive, and the incumbent will be expected to undertake additional duties within their capacity to meet the needs of business and/or the business unit.
Required Personal Attributes
BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES
Customer Service Orientation
Tries to understand the underlying needs of customers and matches these needs to available or customised products and services.
Adapts processes and procedures to meet ongoing customer needs.
Utilises the feedback received by customers to develop new and/or improve existing services/products that relate to their ongoing needs.
Thinks of new ways to align offerings with future customer needs.
Self-Awareness and Self-Control
Withholds the effects of strong emotions in difficult situations.
Keeps functioning or responds constructively despite stress.
May apply special techniques or a plan of time to manage emotions or stress.
Strategic and Innovative Thinking
Experiments with new approaches, tests scenarios, questions assumptions and challenges conventional thinking.
Creates new concepts that are not obvious to others, leveraging internal and external sources of information, to build incremental revenue and growth opportunities.
Driving Delivery of Results
Sets challenging goals that will have a significant impact on the business or support the organisational strategy.
Commits significant resources and/or time to ensure that challenging goals are achieved, while also taking action to mitigate risk.
Teamwork and Cooperation
Acts to promote a friendly climate and good morale and resolves conflicts.
Creates opportunities for cross-functional working.
Encourages others to network outside of their team/department and learn from their experience.
Click here to apply
Manager: Contracts Management
Closing Date
2026/09/29
Reference Number
DBS260915-1
Job Title Manager: Contracts Management
Job Type Classification Contract
Location – Town / City Centurion
Location – Province Gauteng
Location – Country South Africa
Job Profile (Downloadable) Manager – Contract Managment August Final 2026.doc.pdf (1,22 Mb) – 2026/09/15 13:35:13
Job Description
The Manager: Contracts Management role is a strategic management function located within the Independent Power Producer Office (IPPO).
The IPPO was established in 2010 to provide rapid solutions to South Africa’s severe electricity supply constraints, by procuring new energy generation capacity from Independent Power Producers (IPPs). The IPPO was created as a project office hosted by the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) under a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) between the Department of Electricity and Energy (DEE), National Treasury and the DBSA. The mandate of the IPP Office is to provide specialised services to government, including a) IPP Energy Procurement Management, b) Monitoring, Evaluation and Contract Management, and c) Professional Advisory Services. The IPPO’s skills, expertise and success in mobilising and delivering on time is recognised domestically and globally.
The role has been necessitated for the purpose of overseeing and managing end-to-end IPP project contracts entered into between the Department of Electricity and Energy (DEE), Eskom, and the Independent Power Producers. The portfolio of commercial agreements spans multiple technologies including Renewable Energy, Battery Energy Storage, Gas to Power and Hybrid energy facilities.
Reporting to the Senior Specialist: Contract Management, Economic Development, and Monitoring & Evaluation, the Manager: Contract Management will be responsible for leading the strategic execution, implementation, and compliance monitoring of high-value, complex contract portfolios.
The Manager: Contract Management will further ensure absolute regulatory compliance with frameworks like the PFMA and PPPFA, lead a high-performing team of contract administrators, manage formal dispute resolution processes, and effectively handle strategic partnerships and stakeholder expectations across Eskom, government departments, and private sector IPPs.
Key Responsibilities
The Key responsibilities outlined here are not exhaustive and the detail can be found in the attached role profile.
Strategic Contracts Management Input and Oversight
Strategy Development: Formulate and translate IPP Office strategic initiatives into clear contract management policies, standards, and practices.
Legislative Alignment: Monitor emerging legislative changes and integrate updates into new and existing contracts.
Continuous Improvement: Apply lessons learned from contract execution to improve future procurement documentation.
Strategic Contracts Management Execution
Operational Planning: Establish, implement, and monitor the department’s Strategic Plan (SP) and Annual Performance Plan (APP).
Expert Advisory: Provide specialised contract management advice to IPP procurement and implementation teams to resolve complex contractual issues.
Process Optimisation: Align contract management systems and improve operational processes to support achievement of IPP Office targets.
Contract Management Implementation
Contractual Variations: Evaluate legal documents and apply relevant legislation when managing high-value change requests for Implementation Agreements (IAs) and Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs).
Team Coordination: Allocate skills, provide mandates, and evaluate deliverables to ensure streamlined contractual outputs.
Risk and Dispute Mitigation: Clarify contractual ambiguities with the Legal Department to manage risks and prevent compensation or shareholder disputes.
Compliance Management and Monitoring
Lifecycle Compliance: Lead regulatory, legislative, and Eskom governance compliance from project development through to operations.
Agreement Oversight: Monitor IPP and Eskom obligations under PPAs, including construction milestones and technical and Economic Development compliance.
Enforcement and Remediation: Manage due diligence, enforce non-compliance penalty clauses, and act as the key contractual liaison across IPP functions.
Reporting
Performance Monitoring: Initiate and monitor reporting systems to evaluate contractual, construction, and generation milestones.
Data Analysis: Oversee monthly project construction data, energy generation metrics, and project progress toward Scheduled Commercial Operating Dates (SCOD).
Strategic Outputs: Consolidate monthly and quarterly feedback reports for the Head of the IPP Office and track data points supporting the Multi-Year Price Determination (MYPD) allowance.
Stakeholder Management
Relationship Building: Establish and maintain long-term partnerships with the DEE, Eskom, regulators, local municipalities, and private sector Sellers.
Expert Consultation: Provide contract management advisory support to government stakeholders and cross-functional project teams during regulatory proceedings or inquiries.
Claim Advisory: Advise project teams on the review, entitlement verification, and financial or scheduling impact of complex contractual claims.
Staff and Departmental Management
Strategic Leadership: Communicate a clear vision, drive high performance, model strong leadership principles, and foster a collaborative team environment.
Performance Management: Set clear performance standards, delegate tasks effectively, and conduct regular performance reviews and feedback sessions.
Talent Development: Identify skills gaps, mentor potential successors, and implement targeted training interventions to build sustainable contract management capability.
Expertise & Technical Competencies
The minimum requirements of the role are:
Bachelor’s Degree in Law (LLB or equivalent).
Postgraduate qualification (Honours, Postgraduate Diploma, or master’s degree) is advantageous.
Professional certification in Contract Management, Procurement, or Supply Chain Management is preferred.
8-10 years’ relevant experience in contract management, commercial management, procurement, or legal contract administration.
Must have at least 3 years experience working in public sector procurement environment with knowledge and application of relevant applicable legislations
5 years’ management experience leading contract management teams.
Proven experience managing high-value, complex contracts and service-level agreements preferably in the public sector.
Experience in contract negotiations, supplier relationship management, and dispute resolution.
Key Competencies Requirements:
Negotiation & Advisory: Exceptional commercial negotiation and stakeholder influencing skills, with the ability to provide strategic advisory services on high-value contracts and complex claims.
Compliance & Risk Management: Advanced expertise in risk mitigation, dispute resolution, and regulatory oversight across project lifecycles.
Leadership & Management: Strong managerial and leadership skills focused on team empowerment, talent development, and high-performance cross-functional coordination.
Communication & Facilitation: Strong interpersonal, presentation, and networking capabilities for dealing with diverse internal and external stakeholders.
Analytical & Strategic Acumen: Solid financial and business analytics, strategic planning, numerical reasoning, and problem-solving orientation.
Knowledge & Regulatory Requirements
Public Sector Procurement: Advanced knowledge and practical application of South African public sector procurement legislation, including the PFMA and PPPFA, alongside Administrative Law.
Energy Market Dynamics: In-depth understanding of the operating rules, regulatory requirements, and standardisation bodies governing the South African energy market and public sector energy entities.
Organizational Frameworks: Comprehensive knowledge of IPP Office policies, practices, systems, and related legislative mandates
Required Personal Attributes
Professional Excellence: High commitment to integrity, ethical responsibility, customer responsiveness, and excellence orientation.
Operational Resilience: Exceptional ability to work well under pressure, maintain rigorous attention to detail, show assertiveness, and plan effectively.
Click here to apply
Principal Project Development Specialist
Closing Date
2026/09/24
Reference Number
DBS260908-1
Job Title Principal Project Development Specialist
Job Grade 00
Job Type Classification Permanent
Location – Town / City Midrand
Location – Province Gauteng
Location – Country South Africa
Job Profile (Downloadable) Principal Project Development Specialist _Job Profile November 2025 Final Aug 26.docx.pdf (330,21 kb) – 2026/09/08 16:04:35
Job Description
The Principal Project Development Specialist is responsible for leading the execution of technical project development from early-stage preparation through to bankable feasibility, ensuring projects meet the technical, environmental, social, regulatory, and commercial requirements for investment decision-making and financial close.
Key Responsibilities
Project Development and Technical Execution
Provide technical inputs in the development of project development strategies to unlock infrastructure projects in South Africa, SADC and select African Countries through project preparation.
Design projects that support the annual disbursement target and the division’s strategic objectives.
Lead the technical, engineering, and environmental components of project preparation to achieve bankable feasibility.
Develop detailed project development workplans and schedules covering feasibility studies, Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA), technical designs, grid and geotechnical studies, and permitting processes.
Define scope, technical specifications, quality standards, milestones, deliverables, and resource requirements for project development activities
Lead the preparation of pre-feasibility and feasibility studies, including engineering designs, cost estimates, implementation models, scheduling and risk assessments.
Oversee development of preliminary and detailed design work, including capacity sizing, layout planning, technology selection, and constructability evaluations.
Ensure technical solutions are aligned to appropriate technology standards, lifecycle cost considerations, operational performance requirements, and sustainability principles.
Provide technical guidance to the project development team, ensuring maintenance of quality standards and a standardised approach.
Procurement and Management of Technical Service Providers
Draft the Terms of Reference (ToR) and technical procurement specifications for external consultants, engineers, and technical advisors.
Lead the procurement process in line with DBSA procurement governance.
Manage, oversee, and quality-assure outputs of technical service providers, ensuring deliverables meet technical and bankability standards.
Due Diligence and Regulatory Compliance
Review projects for compliance with legislation impacting infrastructure development.
Coordinate with relevant specialists for Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs) and associated management plans in accordance with IFC/World Bank standards, local regulatory requirements, and climate-resilient development principles.
Engage with regulators, utilities, municipalities, and line ministries to secure required permits, licenses, environmental approvals, water use rights, grid connection approvals, etc.
Validate and adhere to all legislative, sector policy, and regulatory conditions that are embedded into feasibility outputs.
Maintain a risk register covering technical, environmental, commercial and execution risks and provide risk mitigation strategies.
Financial and Commercial Assessment Support
Liaise with a multidisciplinary team to support programme implementation, identifying funding needs for the project development.
Provide technical inputs to prepare bankable feasibility data packs to enable financial modelling, investment appraisal, and structuring.
Work closely with financial specialists to test project affordability, revenue models, commercial structures, and risk allocation frameworks.
Bankable Feasibility Report Development
Consolidate all technical, environmental, social, regulatory, commercial and cost data into a bankable feasibility report suitable for due diligence, financial modelling, structuring, and investment decision-making.
Validate accuracy, completeness and technical defensibility for financial appraisal.
Prepare presentations and submissions for Investment Committees and transaction preparation governance structures.
Relationship Management and Stakeholder Relations
Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, global and regional private businesses, banking and multilateral partners and government officials to further develop specific investment opportunities.
Facilitate continuous communication with clients/ projects that the DBSA has funded to adequately support the Division’s monitoring function.
Network and maintain relationships with key internal and external stakeholders to develop specific investment opportunities further.
Identify clients’ pain points and coordinate DBSA’s solution offerings to address them.
Undertake other tasks as assigned by the line manager, from time to time.
Key Measurements of Outputs
Value of bankable projects developed
Value and number of projects approved and committed.
Value of infrastructure catalysed.
Reduction in impairments through de-risking technical and commercial risk aspects of projects
Management of client relationships and key stakeholders
Quality of signed agreements/mandates.
Clean Audit.
Expertise & Technical Competencies
Minimum Requirements
A Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering and/or in the Built Environment (Civil, Construction Management or Quantity Surveying)
Minimum Experience
A minimum of 10 years’ experience in infrastructure project development/preparation in the built environment, public sector management, advisory service or consulting experience.
Experience in dealing with development finance institutions at the various levels of government and business.
Demonstrated expertise in financial modelling and feasibility analysis.
Extensive experience in structuring project finance deals.
Successful track record in business development and stakeholder management.
Understanding of infrastructure project development, feasibility and structuring.
Understanding of financial modelling and project finance structuring.
Knowledge of regulatory frameworks and industry best practices.
Desirable Requirements
Project Management professional with one of the following qualifications: Project Management Institute (PMI), Projects in Controlled Environments (PRINCE) and South African Council for the Project and Construction Management Professions (SACPCMP).
TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES
a) Business Acumen
Deep understanding of commercial drivers and can make decisions based on an assessment of alternatives concerning complex business situations.
Deep understanding of economic priorities of South Africa and Africa and how they can be implemented to meet an organisation’s strategic objectives.
Deep understanding of the need to coordinate efforts with many government entities, the private sector, community groups and individuals to ensure effective
implementation of new policies and regulations.
Takes actions to fit business strategy.
Assesses and links short-term tasks in the context of long-term business strategies or perspectives.
Reviews own actions against the organisation’s strategic plan; includes the big picture when considering possible opportunities or projects, or thinks about long-term applications of current activities.
Anticipates possible responses to different initiatives.
Understands the projected direction of the industry and how changes might impact the organisation.
b) Project Management
Ability to plan, initiate, execute, control and close projects related to a relevant function as well as to track and manage resources, timelines, costs, deliverables and performance, and implement contingency plans if necessary, to ensure projects are successfully.
Defines, plans and manages large and/or strategic projects, including those with a high degree of technical complexity, with impacts across the organisation and/or with national implications.
Assembles and leads diverse and multi-disciplinary teams, ensuring maximum effective resource utilisation.
Successfully manages substantial project budgets and reports directly to senior managers on the progress and results of projects.
Identifies complex issues that need escalation and proposes appropriate corrective action by maintaining a respected profile with relevant external organisations and the research community in general.
c) Project Preparation
Demonstrates a sound understanding of limited recourse and balance sheet funding, the process required to prepare projects, and financing documentation required to present projects for investment decisions.
Leads an internal team of sector specialists and analysts to appraise and present transactions to internal committees.
Appoints and leads a team of external consultants/advisors (technical, environmental, financial and legal) to prepare and present the Project Information
Memorandum (PIM) to prospective financiers.
Analyses sponsors’ financial statements, understands and reviews financial models.
Demonstrates a sound understanding of the water, transport and energy sectors to identify potential fatal flaws generally associated with these sectors in projects presented and key risks to be mitigated.
d) Solution Focus
Identifies broad, highly complex problems based on a multitude of factors, many of which are complex and sweeping in nature, difficult to define and often contradictory.
Creates procedures to articulate the nature of problems and to identify and weigh alternate solutions.
Evaluates the effectiveness of solutions using approaches tailored to the situation.
e) Financial Analysis
Serves as subject matter expert.
Evaluates and determines fiscal, operational, and service impacts; analyses and evaluates legislation; and implements and evaluates statistical models in their subject areas.
Demonstrates in-depth technical and administrative knowledge of the rules and regulations in the subject area and to defend analyses, testimony, and recommendations relating to a variety of issues before management and commissions.
f) Risk Management
Drives integration and standardisation of risk management processes across the organisation.
Advises on the application of the organisation’s risk management policies, industry best practices and constructs organisation guidelines.
Analyses trends in risk management and internal control, evaluates implications, defines, and implements organisation-wide response.
g) Negotiation
Has an appreciation of cultural sensitivities and differences.
Effectively employs a variety of advanced behavioural/interpersonal competencies to control the negotiation situation.
Can take the lead in a variety of sensitive negotiation situations requiring high levels of tact and diplomacy.
Can 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 DBSA.
h) Commercial Awareness
Deep understanding of commercial drivers and can make decisions based on an assessment of alternatives concerning complex business situations.
Deep understanding of DBSA economic priorities and how they can be implemented to meet DBSA’s strategic objectives.
Deep understanding of DBSA’s core sector role in achieving DBSA’s strategic objectives.
Deep understanding of the need to coordinate efforts with many government entities, the private sector, community groups and individuals to ensure effective implementation of new policies and regulations.
i) Communication and Reporting
Able to communicate complex problems or concepts by making them simple and understandable for others.
Adapts language to the level of the audience 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.
Designs / customises reports to meet user needs.
Prepares complex or tailored reports, gathers information from a variety of sources, analyses and
includes in a report.
Keeps standard reports under review and proposes improvements to meet user needs.
j) 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.
Required Personal Attributes
BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES
a) Achievement Orientation
Focuses on new or more effective ways of improving own work and meeting targets.
Focuses on raising quality, customer satisfaction and revenues.
Makes specific changes to systems and processes to improve efficiency and quality.
Formulates own objectives and action plans to achieve a measurable improvement in the future.
b) Analytical Thinking
Identifies multiple elements of a problem and breaks down each of those elements in detail, showing causal relationships between them.
Uses several analytical techniques to identify several solutions and weighs the value of each.
c) Conceptual thinking
Creates new concepts that are not obvious to others and not learned from previous education or experience to explain situations or resolve problems.
Looks at things in a significantly novel way, breakthrough thinking.
d) Strategic and Innovative thinking
Recognises opportunities or problems emerging in patterns and trends, and their impact on the business and profitability drivers.
Applies learning from previous situations and experiences.
Sees underlying causality in the current situation. Applies business acumen to make sound decisions.
Recognises opportunities or potential problems, before they become obvious, by seeing the connections in a range of sources of information, including insights from outside DBSA.
Restates complex knowledge in a way that makes it easier for others to understand.
e) Commercial Business Acumen
Understands business fundamentals.
Analyses and comprehends organisational goals and strategies.
Understands tactical business fundamentals in the public sector environment and incorporates them into decision-making.
f) Teamwork
Acts to promote a friendly climate and good morale and resolves conflicts.
Creates opportunities for cross-functional working.
Encourages others to network outside of their own team/department and learn from their experience.
*The KPA’s, competencies and relationships listed in this document, are not exhaustive, and the incumbent will be expected to undertake additional duties within their capacity to meet the needs of business and/or the business unit.
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