Corporate Finance Specialist (Debt-Raising)
Contract / TempJob Overview
Allied Talent Partners (ATP), a Three Cairns Group initiative, is a mission-driven, not-for-profit talent marketplace focused on solving the human capital bottlenecks slowing down sustainable development efforts in emerging economies, with an initial focus on Africa. ATP connects vetted, experienced, context-relevant professionals to high-impact opportunities in energy access and sustainable development – strengthening local capacity and fuelling economic vitality. We specialize in fixed-term, deliverable-driven engagements – from interim leadership and generalist projects to niche technical expertise – handling project scoping, talent vetting and matching, contracting, payroll, and compliance so that our clients can focus on impact.
High-Level Overview
Client:
The Client is a South African renewable energy developer and engineering firm that designs, builds, and operates solar PV and battery storage projects for commercial and industrial clients. With a growing portfolio of embedded generation and larger wheeled projects, the Client is entering a growth phase requiring deeper financial planning and capital structuring expertise. The organization is well-established in the clean energy sector and operates with strong governance, experienced leadership, and institutional backing.
Project:
This assignment will place a Corporate Finance Specialist within the executive team to lead the development and execution of the Client’s debt-raising strategy. The role will focus on assessing project viability, structuring and negotiating debt facilities with local banks, and optimizing capital deployment across the renewable portfolio.
This assignment will place a Corporate Finance Specialist within the executive team to lead the development and execution of the Client’s debt-raising strategy. The role will focus on assessing project viability, structuring and negotiating debt facilities with local banks, and optimizing capital deployment across the renewable portfolio.
Debt-raising will occur roughly once every 18 months, aligned with large projects (100MW or more). Each cycle will span about 60 working days and cover the full financing process — from documentation to lender engagement and negotiation — for portfolios of around R350 million.
Role and Responsibilities
Role: Corporate Finance Specialist (Debt-Raising)
Direct Report: CEO, with dotted reporting line to CFO
Candidates Required: 1
Key Deliverables:
1. Analysis & Structuring
Direct Report: CEO, with dotted reporting line to CFO
Candidates Required: 1
Key Deliverables:
1. Analysis & Structuring
- Review, validate, and enhance existing project and portfolio models for use in debt structuring and financing analysis.
- Collaborate with the asset management and finance teams to integrate operational forecasts, technical performance data, and financial inputs – including revenue, cost, and lifecycle assumptions – into project and portfolio models to ensure accuracy, consistency, and lender readiness.
- Design optimal capital structures (debt/equity mix, tenor, covenants, and pricing assumptions) to support portfolio-scale renewable investments.
- Conduct scenario and sensitivity analysis to test project resilience under varying debt terms, tariff assumptions, interest rates, and cost structures.
- Conduct market analysis and identify target lenders, mapping appetite, credit conditions, and funding instruments across commercial banks, DFIs, and green finance platforms suitable for the Client’s project portfolio.
- Prepare investment memoranda and financial documentation for internal approvals and lender engagement.
2. Transaction Execution & Financing Delivery
- Lead the debt-raising process from origination to financial close, including lender identification, term-sheet negotiation, and due-diligence coordination.
- Oversee transaction execution, including loan documentation, drawdown scheduling, and satisfaction of conditions precedent.
- Coordinate internal and external advisors (legal, technical, and financial) to ensure alignment on structure, compliance, and risk allocation.
- Explore innovative financing mechanisms, such as sustainability-linked facilities, green bonds, or blended finance structures.
- Support investor and stakeholder presentations to communicate project bankability, risk mitigation, and financial structure.
3. Institutional Strengthening & Knowledge Transfer
- Establish streamlined financing processes, documentation standards, and model governance protocols for ongoing and future projects.
- Strengthen internal capability in debt structuring, lender engagement, and project finance execution.
- Support leadership in developing a long-term capital strategy, including portfolio gearing, refinancing, and capital recycling frameworks.
Requirements
Experience Required:
- 6–8+ years in corporate or project finance, preferably within renewable energy or infrastructure.
- Demonstrated success in debt raising, financial structuring, and bank negotiations.
- Familiarity with South African financial institutions, DFIs, and project finance frameworks.
Technical Requirements:
- CFA qualification preferred; CA or Master’s degree beneficial but not required.
- Advanced understanding of financial modelling and integration of technical, operational, and financial inputs into project and portfolio analyses.
- Strong command of credit analysis, scenario testing, and capital structure optimization.
Other Skills:
- A strategic doer – able to combine portfolio-level perspective with hands-on delivery.
- Builds trusted relationships with internal teams, lenders, and external advisors.
- Communicates with clarity and influence across technical and executive audiences.
- Operates independently with professionalism, accountability, and sound judgment.
- Organized, adaptable, and effective in dynamic, fast-moving environments.
Working Arrangement
Location: Johannesburg
Travel: Minimal within Johannesburg
Terms of agreement:
Start Date: ASAP
Contracting Period: 6 Months
Location: Johannesburg
Travel: Minimal within Johannesburg
Terms of agreement:
Start Date: ASAP
Contracting Period: 6 Months