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Which team will you join?

AFD is an inclusive public financial institution and the main player in France’s international development policy. It invests in projects that improve the daily lives of people, in developing and emerging countries, and in French overseas territories.

AFD intervenes in many sectors – energy, health, biodiversity, water, digital technology, training and supports the transition to a safer, more equitable and more sustainable world: a world in common.

Through its network of 85 agencies, AFD operates in 115 countries, and in 2019 granted 14.1 billion euros for the financing of high impact projects in favour of the achievement of sustainable development objectives. 50% of AFD’s commitments target the African continent. https://www.afd.fr/fr

AFD’s Regional Directorate for Southern Africa, located in Johannesburg, is in charge of the activity’s activities in South Africa, Angola, Botswana, eSwatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Malawi, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. AFD’s partners in southern Africa include central and local governments, public companies, universities, research centres, etc. Half of the projects are co-financed – partnerships being essential to fulfil our mandate in support of the provision of basic public services, the preservation of natural resources, and the low-carbon and equitable transition of societies.

AFD started working in South Africa in 1994 and has granted more than 2.5 billion euros in funding since 2003. Urban development has always been one of AFD’s main areas of intervention. in South Africa.

What will your role be?

The “Investment Officer in Municipalities and Urban Development” position concerns AFD’s activities in the urban and territorial development sector, mainly in South Africa, without excluding support from other countries in the Southern Africa region.

Under the responsibility of the Deputy Director, you will be responsible for the following activities:

1. Identification of new cooperation opportunities
– identification of new technical and financial cooperation through proactive dialogue with local stakeholders, in particular on credit enhancement and diversification of financing options for secondary municipalities;
– coordination of investigation and due diligence missions (financial, economic, legal, social, environmental and technical necessary for the investigation of new operations);
– preparation of project instruction documents.

2. Monitoring of the portfolio in execution
– monitoring of the implementation of non-sovereign loans and technical cooperation grants: compliance with contractual commitments (technical, financial, legal), review of technical and financial reports, validation of the procurement process. market, coordination of supervision missions;
– monitoring of the credit risk of AFD borrowers in the urban sector;
– active contribution to decisions, in consultation with local partners, other players in French cooperation and AFD headquarters.

3. Strategy and communication
– the link with the network of actors in the sector (ministry of finance, public administrations, other development institutions, research centres, private sector, etc.). Participation and intervention in seminars and conferences on the subject in South Africa;
– contribution to AFD’s strategic reflection on the sector, in consultation with the various internal teams, to ensure the consistency of AFD’s positioning;
– close dialogue with other players in French cooperation (French embassy, ​​economic service, business France, etc.);
– contribution to AFD’s communication actions on the portfolio in charge.

Why join the French Development Agency?

Joining AFD means contributing to building a common world, the mission of our group. A world in common is a world which preserves the 5 main common goods: the planet, the social bond, peace, partnerships and economic prosperity.

Who are we looking for?

1. Professional skills
– experience in finance and planning of local governments in South Africa, with good knowledge of the institutional system (central and local);
– additional knowledge in the field of international development, investment and/or water and sanitation would be an advantage;
– at least 5 years of professional experience.

2.
Master or equivalent training in urban/territorial planning, development or local finance.

3. Personal qualities
– capacity for autonomy, the strength of the proposal, in a team spirit;
– rigour and analytical skills;
– very good interpersonal skills, ability to interact with people and in various contexts.

4. Languages
– Fluency in professional, oral and written English is essential;
– Knowledge of French appreciated.

A word from your manager Would you like to get involved in promoting environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive urban development in South Africa and the region, within a dynamic and multicultural team of 39 people? We are waiting for you in Johannesburg!

What team will you join?

French Development Agency (AFD) offices in Johannesburg, Gauteng

AFD is an inclusive public financial institution and the main actor in France’s international development policy. It makes commitments to projects that genuinely improve the everyday lives of people, in developing and emerging countries and in the French overseas territories.

AFD works in many sectors – energy, health, biodiversity, water, digital technologies, training – and supports the transition to a safer, more equitable and more sustainable world: a world in common.

Through its network of 85 agencies, AFD operates in 115 countries and has committed in 2019 EUR 14.1bn to finance impactful project for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. 50% of AFD’s commitment is dedicated to the African continent. https://www.afd.fr/en

The Johannesburg-based regional office for Southern Africa covers AFD’s activities in Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, eSwatini, Zambia and Zimbabwe. AFD’s partners in Southern Africa include local and national governments, financial institutions, banks, state-owned enterprises, universities and research institutions. Around half of AFD’s projects are co-financed with partners, which is essential to implement its mandate to achieve sustainable delivery of public services, preserve and manage natural resources, promote the transition to low-carbon economies, foster social inclusion. AFD started operations in South Africa in 1994 and has committed more than EUR 2.5bn since 2003. Urban development has always been a strong pillar of AFD’s intervention in South Africa.

What will be your role?

The position of “Investment Officer in Municipalities and Urban Development” focuses on AFD’s operations in the urban sector in South Africa, without excluding potential involvement in other Southern Africa countries covered by the regional office.

Under the supervision of the Deputy Regional Director, the Investment Officer will be responsible for:

1. Origination and portfolio development

– Originate new opportunities: proactive dialogue with local stakeholders to identify new technical and financial cooperation, especially regarding credit enhancement and diversification of funding options for secondary municipalities;
– Coordinate appraisal missions and due diligence (economic, financial, legal, social, environmental and technical aspects necessary to evaluate potential funding operations);

– Prepare appraisal project documents.

2. Portfolio management

– Monitor the implementation of non-sovereign loans and grants for technical cooperation: compliance with agreements’ technical, financial and legal undertakings; review of technical and financial progress reports; supervision of procurement processes; coordination of supervision missions;
– Monitor the creditworthiness of AFD’s borrowers in the sector covered;
– Contribute proactively to the decision-making process, in concertation with local partners, the French cooperation team, and AFD’s headquarters.

3. Strategy and communication
– Network with diverse partners (National Treasury and other Government bodies, development stakeholders such as DBSA, NGOs, research institutions, private sector, etc.). The investment officer will in particular attend/contribute to national and local events in the municipal sector in South Africa.
– Contribute to the strategic thinking of AFD in the region and liaise with relevant departments at headquarters to ensure consistency with strategic objectives and AFD policies;
Monitor the evolution of urban development and municipal management in South Africa;
– Ensure constant dialogue with French services (French embassy, ​​Business France, Economic Service, Chamber of Commerce…);
– Contribute to AFD’s communication (preparation of projects’ presentation documents, organization of events).

Why join the French Development Agency?

Joining AFD means contributing to building a world in common, the mission of our group. A world in common is a world that preserves the five main public goods: Earth, social cohesion, peace, partnerships and economic prosperity.

Who are we looking for?

1. Professional skills
– Experience in local government finance and planning in South Africa, with good knowledge of institutional (national and local government) functioning.
– Additional knowledge in the fields of international development, investment and / or water & sanitation would be highly appreciated.
– At least 5 years of experience in project management.

2. Training

Master’s degree or equivalent in urban/territorial planning, development and/or finance.

3. Personal skills
– Ability to work in autonomy, within a team spirit, and to proactively propose solutions, ideas.
– Strong and rigorous analytical, synthesis and writing skills.
– Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact with different types of audiences and stakeholders in different contexts.

4. Language skills
– Excellent English written and oral communication skills.
– Speaking French would be an advantage.

A word from your manager

You’re willing to make a difference and promote environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive urban development in South and Southern Africa within a dynamic and multicultural regional team of 39 staff? We are waiting for you at our Johannesburg office in Bryanston!