Chief Executive Officer CEO SA-H2 Fund

Introduction

CFM NL is a collaboration between Climate Fund Managers B.V. (“CFM”) and Invest International. CFM is a leading global manager of climate finance funds. CFM has raised in excess of US$ 1.5 bln for its first two funds, Climate Investor One (renewable energy) and Climate Investor Two (water, sanitation and oceans), which has both used a blended finance structuring approach, bringing together capital from public sources, which in turn catalyses private sector commitments to geographies and technologies where such private sector capital is currently insufficient. Invest International is a Dutch Development Finance Institution (DFI) that manages around EUR 2.0 bln in (development) funds to (i) contribute to the future earning capacity of the Netherlands and (ii) to support the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. Invest International have become a strong promoter of the energy transition in general and green hydrogen in particular, with a keen interest to unlock this industry for the Netherlands and Europe. 

Utilising the low cost of renewable energy (abundant solar and wind resources), availability of land for the required infrastructure, ports, proximity to off-take markets and effective regulatory frameworks, South Africa has significant potential for competitively producing and exporting green hydrogen to international markets while also creating significant local impact in terms of economic growth, foreign direct investment, access to green energy, water treated, domestic off-take and (in)direct jobs created.

To tap into this opportunity, SA-FM was established by CFM NL B.V. (“CFM NL”) to raise, deploy and manage a financing platform (SA-H2 Fund) through which multiple energy transition infrastructure investments shall be executed (including but not limited to green hydrogen, power-to-X, renewable energy, and associated infrastructure).

The SA-H2 Fund is envisaged to be a closed-end US$ 1.0 bln blended finance vehicle designed to initiate a transformative shift in climate change mitigation and adaptation in South Africa.

Job Purpose

The CEO SA-H2 Fund Managers is responsible for providing visionary leadership, setting long-term objectives, and managing the day-to-day operations of the organization. This role will report to the Board of SA-H2 Fund Managers and is based in our Cape Town office in South Africa.

It will be expected that the CEO works closely with the board, investment committees, and senior leadership team to develop and execute the firm's investment strategies, manage risk, and deliver optimal returns to investors while ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. In addition, the CEO shall act as the interface with shareholders CFM and Invest International, local government agencies and investors.

Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership:

• Define and drive the overall strategy and vision of the SA-H2 Fund, ensuring alignment with market trends and investor expectations.
• Set financial goals and business strategies to achieve profitability and sustainable growth.
• Lead the organization through dynamic market conditions, adapting strategies to evolving financial environments and opportunities.
• Foster a high-performance culture by providing leadership, mentorship, and development opportunities for key executives.

Investment Strategy: CI3 SA-H2 Green Hydrogen Fund

• Work closely with the CFM team on the (build out of) the Fund’s investment pipeline & securing initial investments for the Fund
• Collaborate with public and private stakeholders on the development on the South African green H2 value chain surrounding CI3’s investments, domestically as well as internationally
• Oversee the formulation and execution of investment strategies that align with the firm’s goals and risk appetite.
• Ensure diversification, risk management, and optimal allocation of funds across portfolio to maximize returns.
• Stay updated on financial markets, investment opportunities, and emerging asset classes.
• Direct research and analysis efforts on investment trends, economic conditions, and market performance.
• Represent Fund/Fund Manager on Steering Committees, Boards and Shareholder meetings

Operational Oversight:

• Manage and optimize all aspects of the Fund Manager’s operations, including financial performance, resource allocation, and overall organizational efficiency.
• Ensure robust internal controls, processes, and systems are in place to manage operational risk and compliance.

Capital Raising and Investor Relations:

• Lead fundraising initiatives and capital acquisition efforts for the Fund.
• Collaborate with CFM fundraising team on raising capital from domestic as well as international investors, which may include donors, charitable foundations, development finance institutions, multilaterals, institutional, corporate and strategic investor.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with institutional and individual investors.
• Serve as the primary spokesperson and public face of the firm, communicating the company’s vision, strategy, and performance to stakeholders.
• Organize investor updates, presentations, and reports to communicate financial performance and strategic initiatives.

Financial Oversight:

• Oversee financial performance metrics, ensuring that revenue, profitability, and growth targets are achieved.
• Develop and oversee the company's budget, financial planning, and capital allocation.
• Regularly review financial statements, investment reports, and portfolio performance, ensuring transparency and accuracy.

Governance, Risk & Compliance:

• Implementation and oversight of governance structure(s) for the Fund and Fund Manager
• Work closely with the Board of Directors to ensure the firm's governance structures and practices meet regulatory and ethical standards.
• Collaborate with legal, compliance, and risk management teams to ensure all activities adhere to local and international regulatory requirements
• Ensure that the firm’s activities comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and industry standards.
• Implement and uphold best practices for compliance and risk management, fiduciary responsibilities, and investor protection.

Team Leadership and Management

• Work closely with CFM HR on the recruitment of the dedicated SA-H2 Fund investment team
• Provide mentorship, and guidance to investment professionals, promoting a collaborative and growth-oriented work environment.
• Promote the overall success of the Fund and the Fund Manager

Qualifications and Experience

• MBA / Master’s Degree in (Development) Finance, Engineering, Economics or equivalent.
• A minimum of 15-years of experience in private equity, investment banking, corporate finance or industry with a strong track record in deal structuring and execution in the Renewable Energy, Water, Oil & Gas, (Green) Hydrogen and/or other relevant sectors.
• Strong analytical, communication and negotiation abilities.
• Project finance experience, preferably in South Africa and/or other African countries, with a proven ability to work across technical/financial and legal aspects of a transaction and work with various specialists internally and with government/shareholder/lender type stakeholders.
• Strong network in the South African public and private sector
• Knowledge of relevant regulations and ESG Principles
• Knowledge of regulatory /compliance requirements for managing a fund in South Africa
• Cat I and Cat II Representation / Key Individual experience under South Africa’s FAIS regulations desirable

• Ability to plan and prioritise effectively: strong process and team management skills.

• Ability to apply sound business judgment and an analytical, pragmatic, and creative approach to problem solving.
• Technically proficient (Advanced) in Excel, Word, PowerPoint.
• Willingness to travel frequently

Behavioural Competencies

• Leadership - Knows how to inspire others, connects people. Galvanises others into action and gives direction to personal leadership.
• Strategic Insight – Sets strategic objectives for the organisation. Thinks and formulates strategies in an organisation-wide manner.
• Result-oriented - is focused on achieving objectives and results, persevering in the face of adversity
• Structuring - Apply, implement and maintain structure in day-to-day business.
• Organisational Sensitivity- Recognizes the impact of one's own decisions or actions on other parts of the organisation.
• Situational Awareness – is well informed about developments in one's environment and effectively using this information for one's own organisation.
• Commercial Drive - Demonstrates the will and the strength to generate business.