Fractional CFO
Allied Talent Partners
3 days ago
Contract
Remote
South Africa
Allied Talent Partners (ATP), a Three Cairns Group initiative, is a mission-driven, not-for-profit talent marketplace focused on solving the human capital bottlenecks slowing down sustainable development efforts in emerging economies, with an initial focus on Africa. ATP connects vetted, experienced, context-relevant professionals to high-impact opportunities in energy access and sustainable development – strengthening local capacity and fuelling economic vitality. We specialize in fixed-term, deliverable-driven engagements – from interim leadership and generalist projects to niche technical expertise – handling project scoping, talent vetting and matching, contracting, payroll, and compliance so that our clients can focus on impact.
High-Level Overview
The client is seeking a Fractional Chief Financial Officer to support a renewable energy company operating mini-grids across West Africa at a critical stage of financing execution. The business is advancing a Series A raise alongside an asset financing facility, with multiple interested counterparties already identified, but lacks the senior financial leadership required to structure and close these transactions effectively. Reporting to the executive leadership team, the role will focus on bridging this gap while relieving pressure on internal bandwidth. The ideal candidate will bring deep experience in transaction structuring and execution, with the ability to navigate complex, multi-party financing processes in emerging market contexts.
Role and Responsibilities
Role: Fractional CFO
Direct Report: CEO
Candidates Required: 1
Key Deliverables:
Direct Report: CEO
Candidates Required: 1
Key Deliverables:
- Lead structuring and execution support for the Series A raise, including coordination of diligence, investor requirements, and closing processes
- Oversee structuring of the parallel asset financing facility, working across existing term sheets and financing partners
- Advise on corporate and transaction structuring decisions (e.g. jurisdictional considerations such as Mauritius vs existing structures) and implications for current and prospective investors
- Coordinate financial workstreams across multiple stakeholders to drive alignment and maintain momentum toward close
- Strengthen targeted areas of the finance function required to support investor readiness, including investor and covenant reporting, while upskilling the existing controller
Requirements
Experience Required:
- Proven experience as CFO or senior finance lead supporting complex financing transactions through to close
- Demonstrated track record in structuring equity and/or debt financing in infrastructure, energy, or similarly capital-intensive sectors
- Experience working with multiple investors or financing partners in parallel processes
- Background in emerging markets, ideally with exposure to African markets or similar operating environments
- Experience supporting or developing in-house finance teams during periods of scale or transition
Technical Requirements:
- Deep expertise in transaction structuring, including corporate structuring, investor alignment, and financing architecture
- Strong understanding of diligence processes and the financial requirements of institutional investors and DFIs
- Ability to navigate and integrate multiple financing instruments (equity and asset-level financing)
- Familiarity with IFRS reporting environments and investor-level financial expectations
- Strong judgment in prioritising critical finance improvements without derailing transaction timelines
Other Skills:
- Highly execution-oriented, with the ability to maintain focus on defined deliverables in a fractional capacity
- Comfortable operating in ambiguity and managing complex, evolving stakeholder dynamics
- Strong ability to coordinate across internal teams, investors, and advisors without creating bottlenecks
- Pragmatic and solutions-driven, particularly in resolving structuring and process challenges
- Clear communicator capable of distilling complex financial issues into actionable decisions
Other requirements / notes:
This role is explicitly focused on structuring and closing existing financing opportunities rather than sourcing new investors. The ideal candidate will be comfortable operating as a targeted, high-impact resource, balancing transaction delivery with selective capability building within the finance function.
This role is explicitly focused on structuring and closing existing financing opportunities rather than sourcing new investors. The ideal candidate will be comfortable operating as a targeted, high-impact resource, balancing transaction delivery with selective capability building within the finance function.
Working Arrangement
Location: Remote
Language: English; French not required but a plus
Travel: No
Terms of agreement:
Start Date: Q2 2026
Contracting Period: 6-12 months, part time
Location: Remote
Language: English; French not required but a plus
Travel: No
Terms of agreement:
Start Date: Q2 2026
Contracting Period: 6-12 months, part time