About the role

The Projects and Investments Finance Director will lead the Project Development Arm (PDA) finance team and manage all finance related matters for the PDA, its subsidiaries and projects. Key responsibilities include pre-investments financial review and recommendation, on-going investment support and post-investment financial reporting, valuations and management, in addition to support for the strategy and implementation of project disposal/exits, as well as ensuring financial sustainability, efficiency and value for money in all aspects of the PDA’s operations.

The Finance Director will be part of the PDA’s Executive Committee (ExCo) and act as the key point of contact on all finance related matters for ExCo, the Investment Committee, the Board, the group’s Audit Committee, the group’s Asset and Liability Management Committee, as well as the members of PIDG, other external partners, co-developers, and stakeholders including bankers, auditors, Owners and other funders.

The Finance Director will act as an ambassador of the PDA, displaying and demonstrating the highest ethical and moral standards, while effectively managing and controlling budgets and expenditure in accordance with the Group’s policies and procedures.

Role and responsibilities

Business partnering and management reporting

• Act as financial business partner to the PDA ExCo, helping them to forecast and manage annual budgets for each functional area within the PDA and leading on the PDA’s overall business plan and budgeting processes;
• Support the Asset Management team in providing financial controlling services and reporting from project companies (eg quarterly pro-forma financial performance trends);
• Lead the regular (monthly and quarterly) reporting to the Group and PDA governance committees;
• Responsibility for PDA financial sustainability KPI monitoring and value for money (VFM) and efficiency reporting and overall oversight / management;
• Lead the PDA finance function’s work on financial sustainability, including investment committee processes (in co-ordination with strategy and portfolio management team), financial sustainability KPI’s, metrics and associated disciplines along with associated cashflow and P&L projections.
• Support to the Global CFO, PIDG Exco and CIPDO, PDA as required.

PDA fundraising, investments and divestments

• Support the Global CFO and CIPDO with fundraising activities, including associated financial modelling and finance aspects of due diligence activities as well as monitoring project spend for the Group / Owners and prioritising how scarce Owner funding is allocated to projects, including the preparing of needs letters for Owner funding;
• Support the PDA executive leads with analysing project prospects through to business case, investment approval, overall monitoring throughout the project lifecycle and oversight and ultimate disposal to ensure returns are maximised whilst not compromising on other factors such as sustainable development impact, HSES, risk and financial controls. This includes:
  • being a member of the PDA’s investment sign off process including commenting on finance related clauses within company contracts / project agreements on the PDA’s entry, change or exit of a project or investments;
  • Review and advise on financial content within investment papers before submission to the relevant investment committees – with a particular focus on the commercial viability of the project, the financial sustainability of the PDA’s investment and how realistic the underlying financial assumptions are;
  • Review and challenge project financial reports prepared by the project teams and provide analysis of expenditure against approved budgets;
  • Overseeing the delivery of regular project valuations to IPEV standards for use both by the business and external audit process; and
  • Monitor. assess and support the exit strategies for projects to ensure cash is recycled across the PDA.
• Provide business support and financial control related support and advice to the PDA on projects, and to the project companies themselves as required;
• Company Directorship – represent the PDA as director on the boards of project companies, as may be nominated by CIPDO from time to time.
• Responsible for providing timely updates to the ExCo and Investment Committee on project related matters (including project progress updates, funding requests etc).
• Take ownership of leading and presenting comprehensive project and investment valuations to the Valuations Committee. This includes preparing detailed analysis, financial models, and supporting documentation, while ensuring alignment with organisational goals and valuation standards. Collaborate closely with business teams to gather relevant inputs, address queries, and incorporate feedback to deliver accurate and insightful valuations.

PDA finance operations and controls

• Managing the global PDA finance team including talent management, development and succession planning;
• Work collaboratively with Group Financial Controller and Head of FP&A in the preparation and analysis of financial results of the PDA.
• Responsibility for oversight and in collaboration with Group Financial Controller the day to day running of the PDA’s finances, including financials controls, delegated authorities, payments, reconciliations, cash management;
• Ensure in collaboration with Group Financial Controller that the PDA and all related entities are tax compliant and comply with the group’s tax operating policies and procedures (OPP). Oversee tax planning and review, and work with external advisors as required. Manage outsourced accounting and tax service providers as required;
• Responsibility for the PDA’s treasury function / cash management including relationships with bankers;
• Respond to ad hoc requests for financial information and analysis from senior management and Owners/PIDG;
• Working with PIDG, ensure necessary insurance is in place for the PDA and review insurance coverage on a periodic basis;
• Lead any financial investigations required as the result of concerns over financial performance, a compliance incident, whistleblowing complaint or any other event which warrants the PDA taking action.
• Drive global finance and PDA project initiatives and new system working groups and projects across the group alongside the Head of Finance Transformation.

Qualifications and education requirements

• Educated to a degree level;
• Qualified accountant or equivalent (CIMA, ACCA, ACA); CFA
• 10+ year post qualification experience.

Skills

• Good IFRS knowledge – especially IFRS 9 and 10, including IPEV based valuations;
• Comfortable with international corporation tax, including transfer pricing arrangements, sales taxes and payroll calculations / requirements;
• Good at team management and leadership across multiple locations, including influencing skills and ability to interact with, gain credibility and respect of all internal and external stakeholders, including multidisciplinary teams and resources;
• Strong Excel, report writing and communication skills;
• Comfortable with presenting to Boards, Audit Committees and external key stakeholders.

Experience

• Experience of private markets (Infrastructure, PE, VC, Private Debt), including supporting fund-raising efforts. Familiar with PE jurisdiction set ups;
• Experience of optimising finance functions, including finance process redesign and associated system implementations, including introducing and embedding new accounting/reporting systems;
• Financial services experience (wholesale banking and/or investment funds) and/or experience with working with government departments or PPP arrangements and/or impact and value for money focused INGO’s an advantage;
• Self-starter requiring minimal supervision;
• Exposure to long term financial planning and modelling as well as group wide reporting, planning and budgeting;
• International / cross border team liaison;
• Ability to work well under pressure and be able to meet deadlines;
• A mix of small and large company experience helpful;
• Exposure to emerging markets in Africa / Asia;
• Strong appreciation and passion for PIDG and the PDA’s mandate with a strong work ethic;
• Desire to work in a fast-paced and demanding environment essential.

Closing date for application: 13/12/24

PIDG is an equal opportunities employer and values the diversity of all its employees, associates, owners, service providers and customers.