Project Finance & Delivery Manager

We are seeking a Project Finance & Delivery Manager to oversee the full project lifecycle, with a particular emphasis on project execution, stakeholder coordination, and delivery during construction and early operations.

While the role will support financing activities up to Financial Close, its primary focus is project management and delivery oversight once financing is secured. The successful candidate will ensure that projects move efficiently from financial close into construction, commissioning, and operational readiness, coordinating EPC contractors, lenders, advisors, government authorities, and internal teams.

This role acts as the bridge between financing, development, and project execution, ensuring that financing requirements, contractual obligations, and technical milestones remain aligned throughout the project lifecycle.

Given the geographic focus, the role requires professional fluency in both English and French, with daily engagement across stakeholders in Francophone West Africa.

The position works closely with the Project Director, including periodic presence in project locations.

Key Responsibilities

1. Project Development & Pre-Financial Close Support

• Support the development team by ensuring projects are structured for bankability and execution readiness.

• Coordinate inputs from technical, legal, environmental, and financial advisors.

• Assist in aligning project documentation, such as:

o Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs)

o EPC contracts

o O&M agreements

o Grid connection agreements

• Ensure project timelines and contractual frameworks are aligned with financing and construction requirements.

• Prepare and contribute to internal investment committee documentation.

2. Financial Close Coordination

• Support and coordinate activities required to achieve Financial Close.

• Work alongside lenders, advisors, and internal stakeholders to ensure conditions precedent are satisfied.

• Coordinate preparation and submission of required documentation for lenders.

• Manage closing timelines and ensure alignment between legal, financial, and technical workstreams.

• Ensure all project agreements are ready to transition smoothly into the construction phase.

3. Construction Phase Oversight

• Following Financial Close, the role transitions primarily into project execution and delivery management.

• Responsibilities include:

• Overseeing construction progress in coordination with the EPC contractor.

• Monitoring project schedules, budgets, and milestones.

• Ensuring compliance with:

o EPC contract terms

o lender requirements

o environmental and social commitments.

• Coordinating with technical advisors and engineers.

• Managing project reporting to stakeholders and investors.

• The role will act as the central coordination point between contractors, lenders, advisors, and internal teams.

4. Stakeholder & Contractor Management

• Maintain effective relationships with:

o EPC contractors

o O&M providers

o utilities and offtakers

o host government agencies

o lenders and DFIs

• Ensure contractors meet performance, schedule, and quality requirements.

• Facilitate resolution of construction or contractual issues.

• Coordinate regular project progress meetings and reporting cycles.

5. Post-Financial Close Compliance

• Monitor adherence to:

o financing covenants

o reporting obligations

o environmental and social action plans.

• Coordinate the preparation of periodic reports to key stakeholders and investors.

• Manage stakeholder approvals for contract variations or project changes.

6. Risk Management & Issue Resolution

• Identify potential risks related to:

o construction delays

o contractor performance

o regulatory approvals

o grid connection timelines

• Work with stakeholders to develop mitigation strategies.

• Escalate critical issues internally and ensure timely resolution.

7. Commissioning & Operational Readiness

• Coordinate activities required for project commissioning and handover.

• Ensure readiness for:

o testing and commissioning

o grid synchronization

o commercial operations date (COD).

• Work with O&M providers to ensure a smooth transition into the operational phase.

8. Internal Governance & Reporting

• Prepare regular project status updates for senior management and investment committees.

• Maintain clear documentation of:

o project decisions

o approvals

o contractual obligations

• Support internal compliance, governance, and audit processes.

Deliverables / What Success Looks Like

First 90–180 Days

• Gain full understanding of the existing project pipeline.

• Establish structured project management and reporting frameworks.

• Coordinate completion of remaining Financial Close activities where applicable.

• Develop clear construction oversight plans for active projects.

First 12 Months

• Successfully oversee construction progress and stakeholder reporting for key projects.

• Maintain strong coordination among contractors, stakeholders, and internal teams.

• Ensure projects remain on schedule, within budget, and compliant with financing obligations.

• Support successful commissioning and transition into operations.

Required Skills & Experience

Must-Have

• 5-10 years of experience in infrastructure, energy, or project finance environments.

• Experience working on large infrastructure or energy projects during development and construction phases.

• Demonstrated exposure to project-financed transactions in emerging markets.

• Strong project coordination and stakeholder management skills.

• Professional fluency in English and French (written and spoken).

• Ability to work effectively with multinational stakeholder, contractors, and government stakeholders.

Preferred

• Experience with renewable energy projects (solar, wind, hybrid systems, or storage).

• Prior experience in West Africa or Francophone Africa.

• Understanding of EPC contracts, PPAs, and project finance structures.

• Experience working with Development Finance Institutions (DFIs).

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Finance, Economics, Business Administration, or related discipline.

• Postgraduate degree (MBA or MSc) in Energy, Finance, Infrastructure, or Project Management preferred.

• Professional certifications in Project Management (PMP or equivalent) are advantageous.

Core Competencies

• Project leadership and coordination

• Stakeholder and contractor management

• Cross-cultural communication

• Structured problem-solving

• Attention to detail and accountability

• Ability to operate effectively in emerging market environments.

Tools & Technical Proficiency

• Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word

• Project management tools such as MS Project, Primavera, or similar

• Experience managing virtual data rooms and project documentation systems

• Basic financial modelling capability is beneficial.

Working Conditions

• Frequent travel across other West African markets.

• Combination of office-based work and on-site project visits.

• Ability to work across multiple time zones and multicultural teams.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: ₦2,000,000.00 - ₦2,080,000.00 per month

Application Question(s):

• Do you live in Any West African Countries?

• Do you have 5-10 years of experience in infrastructure, energy, or project finance environments? If yes, which one?

• Do you have experience working on large infrastructure or energy projects during development and construction phases?

• Do you have exposure to project-financed transactions in emerging markets?

• Do you have strong project coordination and stakeholder management skills?

• Do you have a PMP Certification?

• Do you have experience managing virtual data rooms and project documentation systems?

• Do you have basic financial modelling capability?

• Are you comfortable with frequent travel across other West African markets?

Education:

• Master's (Preferred)

Experience:

• Project Finance: 5 years (Required)

Language:

• French (Required)

• English (Required)

Willingness to travel:

• 75% (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Abuja