Company Description

We are one of the Financial Times' Africa's Fastest Growing Companies! PowerGen ranked 40th in the overall rankings and 5th in the Energy & Utilities sector. PowerGen a leading renewable energy platform in sub-Saharan Africa. PowerGen owns and operates renewable energy and distribution utility assets to deliver clean, reliable, and affordable power to all. We are looking for professionals who want to be a part of a highly driven team which is at the forefront of the market and hungry to reshape the landscape of energy in Africa. We want leaders who are committed to the mission and able to think broadly and dynamically about a complex challenge, without losing focus on the critical day-to-day details of managing projects or a team.

Job Description

Purpose / Role Overview

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Investment Associate to join our Investments team, based in Nairobi. You will play a leading role in originating, structuring, and fundraising for new projects across multiple African markets, helping to transform the African power sector through scalable, bankable investments.

In this role you will;

• Lead the development of complex financial models and investment cases at both corporate and project level.
• Drive debt and equity fundraising (local currency and USD), including managing due diligence and negotiations.
• Coordinate commercial and legal structuring, and manage key external stakeholders including lenders, investors, governments, and donors.
• Oversee projects through the development cycle (including internal Investment Committee approval gates) and support implementation and asset management teams with ongoing portfolio management and investment decision-making.
• This is an excellent opportunity for candidates with a strong project finance background and a passion for the African energy sector to take on more ownership, leadership, and deal accountability.

Key Responsibilities;

1. Deal Origination & Structuring

• Identify, screen, and prioritize new project and platform investment opportunities in target markets.
• Lead the commercial and financial structuring of transactions, including equity, mezzanine, and debt instruments.
• Design and refine project structures (SPVs, concession models, PPPs) that meet investor, lender, and regulatory requirements.
• Assess bankability risks and propose mitigation strategies to strengthen project risk/return profiles.

2. Financial Modelling & Investment Analysis

• Own and develop complex project finance and corporate financial models, including scenario analysis and sensitivity testing.
• Prepare valuation analyses (DCF, comparable transactions, benchmarking) and recommend pricing/terms.
• Analyze project economics, capital structures, and risk allocation, providing clear recommendations to senior management.
• Ensure all models and analyses meet internal quality standards and withstand external due diligence.

3. Fundraising & Transaction Execution

• Lead (or co-lead) equity and debt fundraising processes with DFIs, commercial banks, funds, and strategic partners.
• Coordinate and respond to investor, lender, donor and partner due diligence (commercial, technical, financial, legal, ESG).
• Support/lead negotiations on key transaction documents (term sheets, financing agreements, shareholder agreements, PPAs, EPC/O&M, concessions).
• Prepare high-quality investment materials, including Information Memoranda, pitch decks, and Investment Committee papers.

4. Stakeholder, Government & Donor Engagement

• Build and maintain strong relationships with investors, lenders, and development finance institutions.
• Engage with governments, regulators, and utilities on project-related issues.
• Manage relationships with donors, grant providers, and technical assistance partners.
• Represent the company in investor calls, conferences, and sector fora as needed.
• Contribute to policy and regulatory discussions where relevant to project development and financing.

5. Portfolio Management & Asset Support

• Support the implementation and asset management teams with financial and commercial expertise.
• Monitor portfolio performance against investment cases, covenants, and KPIs; recommend corrective actions where needed.
• Assist with refinancings, restructurings, and follow-on capital raises.

6. Internal Process, Governance & Team Development

• Lead the preparation and presentation of materials for Internal Investment Committee and senior leadership approvals.
• Help strengthen internal investment processes, tools, templates, and documentation standards.
• Mentor and coach junior team members in financial modelling, deal execution, and stakeholder management.
• Contribute to market and competitor intelligence, sector research, and thought leadership on financing trends in African infrastructure.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Transaction Delivery: Number and value of projects reaching financial close and/or major development milestones.
• Capital Raised: Volume and quality (terms, tenor, risk profile) of debt and equity capital mobilised.
• Bankability & Structuring Quality: Strength of project structures and risk allocation as assessed by lenders, investors, and IC.
• Portfolio Performance: Alignment of realized project returns with approved investment cases; covenant compliance.
• Stakeholder Satisfaction: Feedback from investors, lenders, partners, and internal stakeholders on responsiveness, quality, and reliability.
• Team Contribution: Effectiveness in mentoring junior staff and improving team tools, processes, and knowledge base.

Qualifications

Qualifications, Experience & Competencies

Experience

• 5–7 years of relevant experience in project development, investment, and/or project finance in the power or infrastructure sector, ideally within:
  - Utility / concessions company
  - Project finance / infrastructure department of an international investment bank
  - Infrastructure department of a Development Finance Institution (DFI)
  - Transaction/financial advisory firm focused on infrastructure / PPPs
  - Infrastructure or energy-focused private equity fund with early/mid-stage project development exposure
• Demonstrated track record leading or co-leading transactions to successful close.
• Hands-on project management experience managing multi-stakeholder, multi-country workstreams.

Technical Knowledge

• Strong understanding of project finance, PPP structures, and concession models.
• Knowledge of concession agreements, PPAs, EPC and O&M contracts, and related risk allocation.
• Familiarity with infrastructure financing instruments (senior debt, mezzanine, blended finance, guarantees, etc.).
• Understanding of policy, regulatory, and market issues affecting energy and infrastructure in Africa.
• Advanced financial modelling skills in Excel (or similar) and strong quantitative analysis abilities.

Sector & Regional Fit

• Deep interest and preferably experience in the African power sector.
• Strong connection to Africa and intention to build an Africa-focused career.
• Prior living/working experience in emerging markets is a strong plus.

Skills & Behavioural Competencies

• Strong business development and client relationship skills; proven ability to understand and respond to client/investor needs.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; French or other regional languages are a plus.
• High level of integrity, ownership and accountability; strong initiative and bias toward action.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively across cultures and disciplines.
• Highly organized, able to manage multiple projects and deadlines in parallel.
• Curiosity, resilience, and a positive, solutions-oriented mindset.

Location & Travel

Location: Nairobi, Kenya (regional hub for Africa operations).

Travel: Up to ~25–40% travel within Africa and internationally, depending on project requirements.

Additional Information

Benefits and Compensation:

A competitive package including annual compensation, performance bonuses, health insurance, professional development and team building events. And you'll be working with a dynamic team of people passionate about electrifying East and West Africa!