Senior Associate, Product Solutions – Lagos, Nigeria

Job Description:

The Structured Products Solutions business seeks to bring together a wide range of investment solutions to help sovereign, sub-sovereign and a segment of corporate clients to access the markets efficiently for their capital expansion & structured trade (“Trade”) requirements. Amongst others, the team is responsible for:

• Providing debt financing and structuring solutions to corporates, sovereigns and sub-sovereigns.
• Developing innovative solutions that make use of, amongst others, AFC’s strong credit rating and Preferred Creditor Status to facilitate the efficient mobilisation of capital and thereby minimise borrowing costs and enhance investment returns. The candidate:
• Will be excpected to support the business in originating, executing & monitoring transactions in relation to capital expansion plans and trade finance for sovereigns & sub-sovereigns, and medium-to-large corporate companies across Africa, with the goal of delivering bespoke credit solutions to clients whilst minimising credit losses.
• Should have experience in analysing corporate balance sheets and in executing corporate and trade finance transactions.

Responsibilities:

• Support origination and management of new clients and opportunities across Africa.
• Pitch, structure, negotiate, market, execute and close transactions.
• Assist in client coverage and management of key accounts.
• Support the preparation and review of term sheets, transaction summaries and board approval requests
• Support management of transaction processes from origination to closing, including engagement with legal and financial advisors in the analysis for such transactions.
• Work with other team members in Investments and colleagues across the organization to process the administration of each transaction as it goes through the approval process.
• Build/Develop/Review and investigate key aspects of financial models (including, pricing, valuation, and other business decision making models) to evaluate the financial viability of transactions.
• Support executing tasks encompassing technical review of all projects (infrastructure related) projects.
• Develop presentations and proposals (including “pitch books”) to new and existing clients.
• Prepare transactions documents (engagement letters, proposals, presentations, Information Memorandums, term sheets, valuations etc.) for transactions being contemplated by AFC
• Undertake transaction-related research and analysis on prospective clients and companies to identify financial trends and issues as well as provide a sound basis for investment decisions
• Conduct financial analysis and risk assessment on project proposals, including developing and interpreting financial models and financial statements.
• Participate in deal meetings and assist in maintaining client relationships
• Conduct due diligence on prospective clients

Skills

• Oral, reading, writing: English is mandatory. A Second language such as Portuguese, Arabic, French, Mandarin, Spanish, or other will be an advantage.
• Highly proficient in the development of Microsoft Excel financial models and analysis as well as development and review of Microsoft PowerPoint presentations for marketing purposes (pitchbooks).
• A good understanding of the technical and financial aspects related to the review of sovereigns & corporates seeking term and trade finance.
• Ability to respond to issues associated with risk assessment of investments and drive transactions through the investment approval process
• Ability to write credit and investment memoranda.
• Ability to negotiate Term Sheets and participate in negotiations of facility and investment agreements
• Strong quantitative analysis and problem-solving skills.
• Well-developed communication and business writing skills, power of persuasion as well as the ability to interface directly and effectively with senior officers of wide range of potential clients
• Effective time management skills and ability to work under pressure in a fast- moving environment
• Experience with transactions involving the use of the following:
  • guarantees and unfunded instruments.
  • Commercial/political risk insurance,
  • Export credit (Buyers & Supplier Credit), etc.
  • complex structures such as credit linked notes and asset/commodity backed loans, etc.

Attributes

• Detail oriented with strong organisational skills. Must be able to manage a wide variety of tasks and requests competently on a daily basis
• Flexibility and ability to work with limited supervision. A self starter, able to assume the initiative following basic leads provided by senior colleagues and team members
• Strong team work capabilities, and ability to work seamlessly with staff within the division and across the Corporation. Willingness to support other staff to achieve corporate goals
• An entrepreneurial mindset with the capacity to develop innovative ideas or work with other team members of build up transaction ideas for onward marketing to clients
• Ability to manage multiple business priorities within a regularly changing landscape. Able to work under pressure and meet challenging deadlines regularly
• Ability to originate and generate new business leads towards enhancing the overall business development efforts of the organization

Knowledge

• In-depth experience in the interpretation and analysis of financial statements, financial analysis and ability to develop complex financial models including financial projections, valuation methodologies and basic infrastructure project review knowledge.
• Good knowledge of financial products, including: project and structured debt, mezzanine, treasury, capital markets, and guarantees. Trade financing experience will be an advantage.
• Advanced credit and investment review capacity
• Good market knowledge of the investment sector in Africa generally, and the infrastructure segment specifically.
• Strong research skills, with a clear capacity to develop research material using publicly available information, and by leveraging various networks and internal resources.

Requirements: Qualification and Skill

Qualifications:

• A first degree from a recognised university.
• Strong mathematical aptitude. CFA/Accounting/other related qualifications are an added advantage.
• Relevant advanced degree e.g. Master’s Degree in Business Administration, Economics, Finance, or a related field of study, will be advantageous.

Experience:

• 8 to 10 years professional experience preferably in related investment banking – deal origination and execution.
• Proficient in transaction modelling and understanding transaction structures.
• Excellent self-management skills. Language
• Solid communication and writing skills.
• Fluency in writing and speaking English is mandatory. Others
• Willingness to travel “out-of-station” with minimal prior notice
• Team player with the potential to take the lead on transactions

Benefits and Contractual information:

• 3 Year renewable employment contract
• Willing and able to relocate to Nigeria, Lagos.
• Suitably qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.

If you wish to apply for the position please send your CV to Chalden Du Toit at [email protected]

Chalden Du Toit

[email protected]

Senior Recruitment Consultant

CA Finance

CA Global Headhunters is an international staffing company with a specific focus on recruitment in Africa. Our extensive, diverse candidate network built up over 10 years comprises the most skilled and experienced candidates. We recruit talent of the highest standards across African sectors, including Mining, Oil & Gas, Engineering, Banking, Finance, Legal, Insurance, Commodities, and Agriculture. As African markets continue to grow and develop, so too does our skill and expertise, ensuring that we deliver the best service to both clients and candidates.

Thanks to our access to global networks and resources, we understand our clients’ cultures, operations, business strategies, and industries. We are always on par with the latest technologies and trends which assist us in sourcing the best talent for clients. Whatever stage of the project lifecycle, we can put forward the right candidates with the right skills.