POSITION DESCRIPTION
Position Title: Project Finance Specialist
Position Classification: Fixed Term – (Full Time), Tunisian, and CCN, and will be based in Tunis, Tunisia.
Background: The Power Tunisia activity seeks to advance self-reliance in Tunisia by strengthening the country’s institutional capacity to manage, operate, and maintain a modern, diversified and financially sound electricity system. The activity has three core objectives:
- Objective 1: Strengthening the Tunisian Energy Sector’s Performance
- Objective 2: Diversifying and Securing Energy Supply
- Objective 3: Promoting Advanced Technology Pilots and Partnerships
Position Overview: Support the Power Tunisia technical team in the successful planning, management, and implementation for all financial aspects of deploying funds under the four USAID Power Tunisia Activity Fund. The Project Finance Specialist will assist in project origination, due diligence, and transaction facilitation, and will coordinate with external commercial and financial stakeholders to build awareness and capacity of renewable energy (RE) and energy efficiency (RE) finance. This position will also support activities to advance the Program’s goal to mobilize private sector investment for small, medium, and large scale RE and EE investment projects.
Detailed Responsibilities: The Employee shall perform the following general functions:
- Conduct deal flow analysis for energy projects, including vetting, forecasting, valuation, scenario analysis, tracking deal flows, conducting due diligence on behalf of the project, identifying markets with the highest potential for future energy projects, and determining financial feasibility
- Develop and maintain pipeline of investment projects in various stages of maturity
- Assist potential borrowers in developing business plans, loan applications and investment grade audits
- Design and deliver trainings for counterpart lending institutions, energy auditors and other stakeholders resulting in establishment of a project pipeline of loan applications
- Facilitate meetings between potential borrowers and counterpart financial intermediaries
- Liaise with local and international investors to understand and overcome barriers to renewable energy and energy efficiency project finance
- Collaborate with internal and external teams in support of proposals, presentations and other renewable energy project pursuits
- Develop marketing materials and support conferences/workshops/trainings for energy sector stakeholders on innovative renewable energy and/or energy efficiency financing
- Support project reporting as needed
- Other duties as assigned
Supervisor and Reporting Responsibilities: For all routine responsibilities and duties, either directly or indirectly related to the Position description, the Employee shall report directly to, and be supervised by the position of Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP). The Employee’s Supervisor may change from time to time on an ad hoc or temporary basis depending on the needs of the Project.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s in Finance, Economics, or other relevant degree; MBA preferred
- Minimum of seven (7) years’ work experience in the energy sector building financial models and finalizing financing for energy projects in developed and developing countries
- Relevant, recent experience with at least two of the following energy sources or technologies: Alternative and Renewable Energy (wind, solar, hydropower, biofuel), Energy Efficiency and Storage; and/or Transportation Sector Energy Technologies.
- Expertise in energy markets, revenue flows, and conducting market assessments
- Established relationships with local commercial banks
- Previous experience in a commercial bank (relationship manager, loan officer, risk manager) preferred
- Experience developing and accessing business plans developed for loan application purposes
- Demonstrated ability to: lead teams; succeed in an interdisciplinary environment; and to work in
challenging political and security situations requiring good judgment, discretion, and political
savvy.
- Previous experience delivering training preferred
- Experience in Tunisia or another MENA developing country economies
- Prior experience on USAID or donor-funded projects preferred
- Excellent communication skills, including strong presentation, networking and facilitation skills
- Fluent in French and/or Arabic required
- Fluent in English (both oral and written) preferred