Project Finance Associate H/F

Avec un chiffre d'affaires de plus de 8,3 milliards d'euros, un accès à 45 des 54 pays du continent et près de 23 100 collaborateurs, nous sommes un acteur majeur dans les domaines de la mobilité, de la santé, des biens de consommation, des infrastructures et de l'énergie.

Partenaire de grandes marques mondiales, notre Groupe intervient sur toute la chaîne de valeur -importation, production, distribution- selon les meilleurs standards internationaux, en s'appuyant sur plus de 170 ans de connaissance terrain et sur les savoir-faire locaux.

Nous déployons une stratégie à la fois industrielle pour favoriser une production locale, et de distribution à travers son réseau, le plus large d'Afrique, pour proposer des produits et services adaptés et abordables au profit des populations.

With Africa For Africa

Pour en savoir plus : www.cfaogroup.com

AEOLUS develops, invests in and manages renewable energy IPP projects in Africa. We are looking for a Project Finance Associate

Key Responsibilities A. Financial Modelling & Analysis

• Build, review and maintain project finance cash flow models for renewable energy IPP projects
• Take ownership of the financial modelling workstream
• Develop and analyse Base Case, Financing Case and Sponsor Case scenarios
• Perform debt sizing and analyse DSCR, LLCR, IRR, NPV and other key financial metrics
• Incorporate and assess key assumptions including tariffs, CAPEX, OPEX, financing terms, taxation and foreign exchange
• Perform sensitivity and scenario analyses
• Coordinate and respond to financial model audits
• Reconcile and ensure consistency between lender, sponsor and other relevant financial models
• Prepare financial analyses supporting investment decisions and internal approval processes

B. Project Finance Structuring & Execution

• Support the structuring of project finance transactions and financing strategies
• Participate in discussions with commercial banks, DFIs, ECAs and other financing institutions
• Analyse and compare term sheets, mandate letters and financing proposals
• Support debt sizing and optimisation of financing terms
• Review financial and commercial provisions of financing documentation
• Coordinate financing workstreams and Conditions Precedent towards Financial Close
• Work closely with financial, legal, technical, tax, insurance and other advisers
• Support the structuring of equity bridge loans, shareholder loans, guarantees and other sponsor financing arrangements
• Participate in the execution process through Financial Close and initial drawdown
• As experience and capabilities develop, the successful candidate will be expected to take increasing ownership of the overall project finance workstream for individual projects.

C. Investment & Project Development

• Perform financial analysis and investment evaluation for new IPP developments and M&A opportunities
• Work closely with Development, Technical and Legal teams
• Analyse the economic and bankability implications of PPAs, EPC contracts, O&M agreements and other key project agreements
• Prepare financial analyses and materials for Investment Committees, Boards and other internal decision-making processes
• Participate in discussions with JV partners and other project stakeholders
• Contribute to project development and transaction execution from development through Financial Close

D. Asset & Portfolio Management

• Analyse Project Company budgets, business plans and forecasts
• Perform Actual vs. Budget / Forecast analysis
• Monitor project cash flows and distribution forecasts
• Monitor debt service, financial covenants and lender reporting requirements
• Analyse dividends, shareholder loan repayments and other shareholder distributions
• Participate in financial discussions with Project Companies, JV partners and lenders
• Monitor financial performance across the portfolio

We are particularly interested in candidates who:

• View financial modelling not simply as an Excel exercise, but as a tool to understand the overall economics and structure of a project
• Are intellectually curious about the commercial, technical, legal and financing considerations behind the numbers
• Want to develop from a strong financial modeller into a broader Project Finance professional
• Are proactive in identifying issues and developing solutions rather than simply executing assigned tasks
• Are comfortable working in a small, entrepreneurial organisation and taking on responsibilities beyond narrowly defined boundaries
• Can work effectively with stakeholders from different countries, cultures and professional backgrounds
• Have a genuine long-term interest in the African energy and infrastructure sector

Required

• Hands-on professional experience in project finance cash flow modelling
• Strong Excel skills and the ability to build, understand and analyse project finance models
• Good understanding of core project finance concepts, including debt sizing, cash waterfalls and financial covenants
• Sound understanding of financial statements and corporate finance fundamentals
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English
• Ability to take ownership of workstreams and manage multiple priorities
• Strong analytical skills, accuracy and attention to detail

Preferred

• Experience in project finance within renewable energy, power or infrastructure
• Experience in the development, financing or investment of IPP projects
• Experience with a financial adviser, bank, developer, IPP or infrastructure investor
• Exposure to international project finance transactions involving DFIs and/or ECAs
• Experience with financial model audits or model reviews
• Experience in emerging markets, particularly Africa
• French or other languages relevant to African markets