UNOPS
This global technical team, composed of infrastructure finance experts, lawyers, economists, and sector experts (transport, health infrastructure, urban development, etc.) works to support several projects and works across countries. The Transactional Advisor will be expected to lead complex infrastructure project preparation engagements and at times also support the analysis and writing of reports. This position is home-based and depending on the project portfolio development in the Africa region, the Transactional Advisor may be required to travel and may have responsibilities in multiple countries. S/he will contribute to the work of Public Private Partnership (PPP) and Infrastructure Finance Advisory Services project development; and work under the supervision of the Technical Services Unit Senior Manager. Based on project requirements and individual background and profile, the Transactional Advisor will work in one or more areas described below, and be required to travel frequently around the region. This travel could exceed 50% of his/her time.
- Business development in PPPs advisory services or in sustainable infrastructure finance
- Devise and propose strategies to expand or improve the reach of UNOPS services in PPP, infrastructure project preparation and other technical assistance related to these areas.
- Work closely with Country Directors or Managers to develop relationships with key institutions and decision-makers in government departments or entities, development banks, and other relevant stakeholders.
- Draw on an extensive network of relationships in PPP advisory services in the energy, transport and other infrastructure sectors.
- Work with other UNOPS Advisors on the development of the overall strategy for the team, including culturally appropriate protocols for engagement with African governments
- Prepare and execute sub-region or country plans to expand the area of advisory services for PPPs and other infrastructure projects that require loan or investment finance.
- In collaboration with government clients, investors, and other stakeholders, source infrastructure projects, including transport and energy PPP projects..
- Establish solid working relationships with project boards, clients and key stakeholders.
- Manage communications and ensure stakeholders are aware of project activities, progress, exceptions and are in a position to accept handover products.
- Advise clients on risks and issues that might impact the achievement of project outcomes and results (including issues of sustainability and post-project requirements such as maintenance).
- Development of infrastructure project proposals for investors and lenders.
- Manage the execution of competitive, transparent tender processes, and the resultant finalization of contractual agreements between investors, lenders, and other project partners.
- Preparation of studies and knowledge management
- Review, update or develop content for operations guidance or manuals for the procedures, policies, programs and products that frame the implementation of infrastructure projects.
- Prepare reports and other written outputs for discussion and approval by UNOPS and other project partners. Contribute to the preparation of diagnostics, assessments and project plans, based on legal, regulatory and operational knowledge.
- Provide advice to project or Country Office teams on the operating frameworks for PPP law and project preparation procedures and requirements in the various countries.
- Review regulatory information provided by partner government agencies.
- Verify compliance with national and local laws and regulations. and advise on the causes and implications, for non-compliance.
- Review the progress of the activities corresponding to the State.
- Review of compliance with the laws and regulations that govern the establishment of institutions, PPP Units, and project preparation facilities.
- Other reviews considered necessary.
- Relationship management and planning of opportunities
- Produce a stakeholder management plan and contribute to business development or partnerships strategies. Follow-up on possible opportunities with potential partners and collaborators, and lead the implementation of the stakeholder management plan..
- Advise the team to identify opportunities with a clear understanding of the restrictions and possibilities within the legal, regulatory and operational frameworks.
- PPP Financial modelling and deal strategy in Infrastructure Finance
- Lead the development of the financial, commercial and overall deal strategy, working with the other experts and leaders of the PPP & Infrastructure Finance Advisory Services team.
- Lead the commercial assessment and viability of the proposed structures of M&A, private equity or asset management transactions to ensure adherence to investment policy or project documentation as appropriate.
- Ensure financial analysis is robust and proper valuation of any assets being analysed is performed under the highest standards of ethics and expertise.
- Ensure proper and thorough representation of risks are effectively communicated to any relevant party.
- Lead in-depth complex financial, operational, stakeholder and general risk analysis.
- Deal with financial institutions and/or institutional investors to ensure transparency and proper evaluation of the proposed projects.
- Ensure quality and proper alignment of all specialists’ work to develop a sound and auditable financial model for each project.
- Lead the definition and data collection for specific conditions for infrastructure projects or acquisition targets.
- Coordinate the development of pre-feasibility and feasibility studies, value-for-money analysis, public-private comparator, project screening matrixes, decision models, risk assessment and matrixes, etc. to ensure proper project due diligence is performed.
- Prepare and review macro-economic and financial assessments and models.
- Recommend debt and equity structures, including assessment of different types of investment financing (loans, bonds, equity arrangements, etc.); and lead the team in the negotiation of financing documents, whether debt or equity and its variations.
- Lead the valuation of target projects or investments over the term of the proposed transactions (distribution of dividends, reduction of capital, etc.).
- Develop exit strategies for the proposed investments.
- Lead the analysis of any financial statements and representations for the projects.
- Lead or perform directly other financial analysis as necessary for the project.
Monitoring And Evaluation Of Functions
The performance of the functions performed by the Transactional Advisor will be monitored and evaluated by Technical Services Unit Senior Manager and with technical coordination with the responsible team, based on the following products:
- The reports of activities and products that the Transactional Advisor must prepare and present.
- The responsiveness of the Transactional Advisor.
- The results of the coordination instances with the associates.
Education/Experience/Language requirements:
Education
- An Advanced University Degree (Master’s or equivalent), preferably in Business Administration, Finance, Public Administration, Law, or related areas, is required.
- A first-level University Degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) with an additional two (2) years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Professional Registration
- Full member status registration with a recognized professional built environment body is an asset.
Experience
- A minimum of seven (7) years of experience in Partnership development and/or Public-Private Partnerships, Infrastructure Finance, Pension Fund Finance, Infrastructure Finance sector, Infrastructure Public Policies, or related fields is required.
- A minimum of seven (7) years of experience (out of the total 7 years) in Africa, in the field of Transaction Advisory is required.
- Experience with Financial Institutions and the Financial sector regulator will be an asset.
- Experience participating in Infrastructure Projects under traditional public contracting or Public-Private Partnerships or concession models in their area of expertise is an asset.
Language Requirements
- Full working knowledge of English is required.
- Knowledge of another official UNOPS language is an asset.
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We encourage women and candidates from underrepresented groups in UNOPS to apply. These include candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities. Click apply and join us!
Remarks: Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.
To apply for this job please visit jobs.unops.org.