South Africa Buy-In Transaction Advisor

USAID/Empower Southern Africa (ESA) Program
South Africa Buy-In Transaction Advisor
Scope of Work
Title: South Africa Buy-In Transaction Advisor
Reports to: The South Africa Buy-In Technical Lead
 

I. BACKGROUND
The USAID Empower Southern Africa (ESA) Project is a $85 million, five-year activity aimed at increasing the availability of and access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and clean energy in South Africa in order to reach measurable outcomes.

The activity will support the accelerated connection of more Southern Africa homes, businesses, and institutions to reliable electricity and increase its productive use, ESA will contribute to the following three objectives:
• Objective 1 – Ending Energy Poverty
• Objective 2 – Accelerate a Carbon Free Future
• Objective 3 – Bolstering Energy Sector Investment and Innovation

ESA Purpose: To increase the availability of and access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern electricity in Southern Africa. The ESA program aims to provide support and strengthen capacity of key energy role players in South Africa through the South Africa Buy-In workstream. This will be achieved by accelerating the completion of clean energy projects, strengthening transmission grid, and increasing investment in and performance of distribution grid. In South Africa, the vision and objectives of the South Africa Buy-In are to establish an ambitious long-term partnership to support South Africa’s pathway to low emissions and climate resilient development, to accelerate the just transition and the decarbonization of the electricity system, and to develop new economic opportunities such as green hydrogen and electric vehicles amongst other interventions to support South Africa’s shift towards a low carbon future.

Clean energy generation underpins the transition and will strengthen energy security in South Africa. ESA will provide combined support for both on-grid and beyond-the-grid efforts. This combined on- and beyond-the-grid approach will optimize USAID resources to provide targeted advisory services, catalytic grants, and investment mobilization more effectively to a range of energy sector institutions including government ministries, utilities, regulators, private sector energy companies and their trade groups, investors, multilateral organizations and initiatives, academic institutions and/or civil society. ESA’s South Africa Buy-In workstream may seek to advance activities in South Africa through some of the following opportunities:
• Identify and assess opportunities to facilitate renewable energy projects to increase new energy generation using clean energy technologies.
• Forge partnerships with South African energy players to address electrification backlog.
• Evaluate collaboration opportunities with the USG Interagency and other donors.
• Design and potentially fund conditional grant vehicles in collaboration with various partners.
• Utilize existing partnerships to promote the intergovernmental relations by demonstrating effectiveness of working in coordinated manner to catalyzing investment in various spheres of government

II. PURPOSE OF ASSIGNMENT
ESA seeks a full-time transaction advisor to manage activities under the South Africa Buy-In scope. The Advisor will be responsible for financial and transaction advisory under the South Africa Buy-In workplan, building relationships with South Africa Buy-In stakeholders, coordinating with government and international stakeholders, and ensuring continuation of existing activities.

III. PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The South Africa Buy-In Transaction Advisor is expected to undertake the following specific activities:
• Assess the financial viability of the project.
• Review legal agreements, contracts, and regulatory requirements.
• Evaluate funding options, debt capacity, and financial structuring.
• Conduct a comprehensive feasibility study for the project.
• Determine full project cycle costs, affordability limits, risks, and optimal value-for-money methods of delivery.
• Provide technical, legal, and financial advisory support.
• Ensure compliance with relevant legislation and regulations.
• Assist in procuring a private partner for the project.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to structure the project.
• Prepare project documentation, including information memoranda, request for proposals (RFPs), and other relevant documents.
• Define the project’s objectives, risks, and key performance indicators.
• Conduct financial modelling, sensitivity analysis, and scenario planning.
• Ensure compliance with local laws and regulations.
• Advise on risk allocation and dispute resolution mechanisms.
• Perform due diligence on the project, including technical, environmental, and social aspects.
• Identify potential risks and mitigation strategies.
• Evaluate the project’s alignment with sustainability goals.
• Assist in negotiations with potential partners, lenders, and other stakeholders.
• Optimize terms and conditions to achieve the best outcome for the client.
• Facilitate the transaction process, from bid evaluation to financial close.
• Coordinate with legal, financial, and technical teams.
• Ensure a smooth transition to the implementation phase.
• Supervise short-term consultants.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the South Africa Buy.

- Donor Coordination:
o Establish and/or advance relationships with International Partners Group (IPG) and IPG+ members (e.g., donors).
o Understand details of activities undertaken by IPG+ members listed in the grants register so that all activities undertaken by ESA are additional and not duplicative of ongoing efforts.

- USG Coordination:
o Work with USG partners to understand USG interagency funding and activities committed to the South Africa Buy-In.
o Develop understanding of USG activities, as well as IPG and other donor South Africa Buy-In activities, to help coordinate support at a technical level between all partners at an early-stage of new activity planning.

- Private Sector Engagement
o Serve as the project’s focal point for capturing private sector engagements in PATT related to South Africa Buy-In; maintain internal tracking of potential partners.
o Include Private Sector activities in ESA updates/deliverables.
o Coordinate private sector engagements with USG counterparts (particularly Power Africa/DFC/USTDA/Commerce).
 

IV. QUALIFICATIONS
The candidate for this assignment should have a degree in a relevant field and possess at least 10 years of work experience on energy sector development or power sector programs, with demonstrated experience/understanding on South Africa’s Just Energy Transition activities, experience planning or coordinating energy transition and renewable energy activities, and proven experience managing coordination with USG, national, and international stakeholders. Experience of successful collaboration with South African Government Agencies, Public Utilities, Independent Power Producers, and other Private Sector stakeholders acting in the Just Energy Transition space is preferred as well. Candidates should possess a master’ degree in a relevant field (preferred), in addition to an advanced degree in a relevant expertise, such as Business Administration, Finance, Energy Studies, Engineering, Public Policy, International Development, Sustainable Development, Law, or another relevant field.

Additional qualifications include:
• Prior experience leading USAID/Power Africa or international donor-funded programs strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to motivate and lead a dynamic team of professionals across large geographies.
• Demonstrated leadership, versatility and integrity.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English
• Attention to detail.
 

V. DUTY STATION
The position will be based in Pretoria, South Africa at the ESA headquarters and may require travel to other countries in the region. Remote work arrangements within South Africa may be granted depending on project priorities and position requirements.
 

VI. APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Please send your curriculum vitae (CV) or resume to esarecruitment@chemonics.com with a subject line South Africa Buy-In Transaction Advisor. Applications must be submitted by July 12, 2024, 11:59pm SAST. Early applications encouraged. No telephone inquiries, please. Chemonics is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factors