Nexant, founded on January 1, 2000, is an independent provider of intelligent grid software and clean energy solutions. The company has extensive experience and expertise in energy efficiency, demand side management, biomass, geothermal, solar, wind, hydrogen, natural gas, clean coal, and CO2 capture and sequestration. The company is headquartered in San Francisco, California and operates from 32 corporate, representative, and project offices located throughout the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.
About the Job
The following is a representative description of the position’s role and responsibilities. Reflecting the flexible nature of our work, Nexant will adjust this description as necessary to meet operating and strategic needs of its business.
Nexant, Inc. seeks Transaction Advisors – technical, financial and legal experts to serve as long-term residents in Abuja, Nigeria. The Transaction Advisors will be part of a network of Transaction Advisors to be located in Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria and Tanzania – for the recently-awarded US Agency for International Development (USAID) Power Africa Transactions and Reforms Program (PATRP) in Sub-Saharan Africa. PATRP aims to increase the supply of, and access to, reliable, affordable energy, and, when possible, lower carbon emissions in the region.
Transaction Selection/Pipeline Development
- Act as both originator and driver of priority projects under the Power Africa initiative to deliver results.
- Coordinate closely with other USG agencies and entities, such as the U.S.‐African Clean Energy Development and Finance Center, established by the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, Ex‐Im Bank, MCC, State Department, and U.S. Trade and Development Agency. The advisor will need to understand the available USG mechanisms, funding constraints, and develop a relationship with a key person in Washington, DC.
- Assist Power Africa to analyze the universe of potential transactions to select those that may be assisted in achieving financial closure, and present recommendations to USAID for prioritization among the selected transactions.
- Review and prepare an analysis of promising private sector driven, high‐impact energy projects and carry out preliminary due diligence (e.g. project merit, competence of project sponsor, risk factors, etc.). This will include identifying available funding sources and potential for USG assistance.
- Maintain close relationships with important private sector and government actors, including project developers, regulatory bodies, commercial banks, investment funds, pension funds, and other donors.
Transaction Advisory Services and Capacity Building
- Assist in the implementation of the new IPP framework developed under Section A above.
- Develop strategies that address capacity shortcomings and thus contribute to accelerated implementation of the IPP framework and adoption of policy reforms and project implementation.
- Assist in accelerating closing on priority transactions by providing independent advice to host government decision makers as needed to achieve project milestones.
- Provide technical assistance on prioritizing projects and preparing standardized transaction documents for energy projects.
- Provide guidance, expertise and direction to host ministry and/or applicable ministries on adoption of reforms necessary to increase private sector investment.
- Promote due attention to issues concerning environment, social soundness, clean energy, climate change, gender and energy, poverty and energy, and the like.
- Liaise with other Power Africa implementing partners, in particular those involved n providing advisory services.
Monitoring and Progress Reporting
- Develop accountability and monitoring mechanisms for tracking progress of Power Africa goals/objectives
- Identify and track key milestones required to complete transactions, and recommend courses of action for expediting transactions.
- Conduct regular reporting and check‐ins with the host country Government and USAID parties.
- Liaise on a regular basis with the USAID and members of the USG Power Africa Working Group in country.
- Bachelors or Masters (preferred) in a related topic
- At least 10 years investment experience, including developing country work, in origination, structuring/execution and post-deal maintenance of various power sector transactions
- Extensive experience in power sector reform issues in the developing world
- Experience in the region and/or one of the six priority countries.
