Associate Investment Director, Project Development Fund

Location: Casablanca, Morocco

Description

Africa50 is a specialist investor in African infrastructure, developing, de-risking and delivering projects to unlock growth across the continent.

Africa50 - Project Development operates at the front end of the investment cycle. It works with governments, public authorities, sponsors, developers, lenders, investors and technical partners to originate, structure, de-risk and advance projects toward investment readiness and financial close.

Within Project Development, the Transport and ICT Vertical focuses on transport and logistics infrastructure, including roads, bridges, railways, ports, airports, urban mobility, e-mobility, logistics platforms, regional corridors digital connectivity, data centres, telecommunications infrastructure, fibre networks and other ICT-enabled infrastructure, as well as infrastructure asset recycling.

Purpose of the Role

The Associate Investment Director originates, leads and executes transport and ICT infrastructure development investments from opportunity identification through financial close and transition. Working with the Investment Directors and senior leadership, the role provides transaction leadership and commercial judgement, manages multidisciplinary project teams, develops senior stakeholder relationships and contributes to the growth and strategic direction of the Transport and ICT vertical.

Principal Responsibilities

Originate, assess and prioritize a strong pipeline of transport and ICT infrastructure opportunities by leveraging sector expertise, country knowledge, government and sponsor relationships, market intelligence and strategic partnerships.
Take day-to-day leadership of multiple project development investments, defining the development strategy, Africa50's role, project governance, partner responsibilities, development budget and pathway to bankability and financial close.
Lead the structuring of complex transport and ICT transactions, including PPPs, concessions, asset-recycling arrangements and other public-private delivery models, and recommend appropriate revenue mechanisms, public support, risk allocation and capital structures.
Direct the financial and commercial analysis of projects and oversee the preparation and review of project finance models, traffic and demand assessments, tariff, toll, user-fee or availability-payment assumptions, financing plans, returns and sensitivities.
Lead multidisciplinary financial, commercial, technical, legal, tax and ESG due diligence processes; appoint and manage external advisers; challenge key assumptions; and ensure that material risks are allocated, mitigated and reflected in transaction documents.
Lead negotiations and transaction discussions with governments, public authorities, sponsors, co-developers, strategic partners, contractors, operators, lenders, DFIs and other investors, escalating material matters and seeking internal approvals as required.
Lead the preparation and presentation of opportunity notes, screening memoranda, investment committee papers, board materials, term sheets and other decision documents, ensuring clear, evidence-based recommendations and high-quality outputs.
Lead debt and equity mobilization for selected projects, including investor and lender engagement, assessment of guarantees, concessional resources and blended-finance solutions, and coordination of financing workstreams through financial close.
Manage project plans, budgets, adviser mandates, approvals, conditions precedent and transaction timelines, proactively resolving execution issues and maintaining accountability and quality across project teams.
Build trusted senior relationships with public-sector counterparts, transport/digital infrastructure operators and developers, institutional partners, lenders, investors, advisers and technical partners, and represent Africa50 in relevant external engagements.
Oversee the transition of projects into construction or portfolio monitoring and provide senior input into the supervision and performance of project companies and approved investments.
Lead and develop project teams, review the work of junior investment professionals, and support the Investment Directors in sector strategy, pipeline prioritization, resource allocation, team planning, knowledge development and broader Africa50 initiatives.

Candidate Profile

At least 10 (ten) years of relevant professional experience in transport and/or ICT infrastructure project development, investment, project finance, PPP or concession advisory, infrastructure private equity, a DFI, an investment bank, a transport/digital infrastructure operator or developer, or a related institution.
Significant experience in one or more transport and/or ICT subsectors such as roads, bridges, railways, ports, airports, logistics, urban mobility, e-mobility, regional corridors, digital connectivity, datacenters or infrastructure asset recycling.
Demonstrated track record of leading substantial workstreams on complex infrastructure transactions or development projects and progressing transactions to financial close or other major development milestones.
Proven experience in transaction structuring, multidisciplinary due diligence, negotiations, adviser management, investment committee processes and engagement with senior public- and private-sector stakeholders.
Experience managing and developing investment professionals and coordinating multidisciplinary project teams.
An MBA, MSc or equivalent postgraduate qualification is preferred. Experience in African or other emerging markets is strongly preferred.

Knowledge and Skills

Deep understanding of transport and/or ICT infrastructure development, investment, project finance, PPP and concession structures, public-sector interfaces and risk allocation.
Strong commercial and investment judgement, with the ability to assess complex opportunities, evaluate alternative structures, balance risk and impact considerations and formulate clear recommendations.
Advanced financial modelling and valuation capability, including the ability to review and challenge complex project finance models and underlying demand, revenue, cost and financing assumptions.
Strong origination, business development, stakeholder-management and influencing skills, with the credibility to engage senior government officials, sponsors, investors, lenders, DFIs and strategic partners.
Demonstrated negotiation and transaction-execution skills, including experience with concession agreements, development agreements, EPC/O&M contracts, financing documents and government support arrangements.
Strong leadership and project-management capability, including the ability to direct multiple projects and workstreams, manage budgets and advisers, allocate responsibilities and maintain execution momentum.
Demonstrated ability to prepare and present concise, decision-oriented recommendations to senior management, investment committees, boards and external stakeholders.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. Proficiency in French or Portuguese or another relevant African language is a plus

Essential Qualities

High integrity, maturity and sound professional judgement.
Strong ownership, accountability and delivery focus.
Strategic and commercial mindset combined with a clear commitment to development impact.
Leadership, collaboration and the ability to influence and build trust at senior levels.
Resilience, adaptability and a solution-oriented approach in complex and evolving project environments.
Ability to work under pressure, manage competing priorities and travel across Africa and internationally, with a strong commitment to Africa50's mission and an Africa-focused career.

Location

The position will be based in Casablanca, Morocco, and will require travel across Africa and internationally as needed.

Application

If you are interested in this position, Click here to apply.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

At Africa50, we believe inclusive teams drive stronger and more sustainable impact. We are committed to equal opportunity and fair recruitment practices, and we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds. We strive to create a respectful, diverse, and inclusive workplace where everyone can contribute and grow.