Project Preparation Associate

2 weeks ago

Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa Allied Talent Partners Full time R80 000 - R120 000 per year
Project Preparation Associate

Department: Management Consultants

Employment Type: Contract / Temp

Location: South Africa


Description 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

Client:
Client is an organization supporting national efforts to enable an inclusive and sustainable transition to a low-carbon economy; whose implementing partner has identified a need for targeted project preparation support to strengthen governance, financial readiness, and alignment of community and sectoral projects with funder requirements. This assignment focuses on improving the structure, quality, and fundability of projects in an existing portfolio, thereby enhancing their ability to attract both domestic and international financing.

Project:
The Project Preparation Associate will work closely with the Lead Consultant and Project Finance Specialist to provide light advisory inputs across selected projects. This includes supporting project proponents to refine their project documentation, strengthen governance and operational readiness, clarify funding needs, and prepare for technical and financial review sessions. The associate will take the lead on several projects within the portfolio, offering structured advisory support and ensuring that each project progresses through required preparation steps. 

The ideal candidate has strong analytical and advisory capabilities, can engage confidently with early-stage project developers, and is comfortable supporting technical and financial specialists by preparing preliminary analyses, summarizing project needs, and consolidating advisory recommendations. 

Role and Responsibilities
Role: Project Preparation Associate
Direct Report: Lead Consultant – Project Preparation  
Candidates Required: 1

Key Deliverables: 
  • Advisory support for assigned projects, including facilitation of working sessions with project proponents and delivery of structured guidance to strengthen project concepts, documentation, and readiness. 
  • Assessment of project needs across technical, financial, organisational, institutional, and governance dimensions, developed in collaboration with the Technical Consultant and Project Finance Specialist, with clear, actionable recommendations to strengthen project readiness. 
  • Coordination and consolidation of specialist inputs, integrating technical and financial assessments into coherent, project-specific advisory outputs and guidance for project proponents. 
  • Preparation of advisory materials, including meeting notes, readiness summaries, tailored action plans, and integrated feedback reports that support timely project advancement. 
  • Identification and escalation of project-level risks, bottlenecks, or information gaps to the Project Lead, along with proposed mitigation steps and follow-up actions. 
  • Support for pitch preparation, including review and refinement of pitch materials, advisory guidance on project positioning, and alignment of messaging with funder criteria. 
  • Contributions to final reporting, providing project-level insights, progress updates, and readiness achievements for inclusion in portfolio documentation (excluding MEL tracking).

Requirements Experience Required:
  • 7+ years experience in relevant sectors, with demonstrable track record supporting project preparation for energy transition, climate, development, or blended-finance-linked projects 
  • Proven track record in providing technical assistance for early-stage or pre-investment initiatives 
  • Evidence of successfully facilitating project–funder matchmaking processes 
  • Experience working in or with the South African development or climate ecosystem (highly advantageous) 
Technical Requirements:
  • Expertise in project design, feasibility assessment, financial structuring, and investment-readiness 
  • Strong capabilities in governance assessment and institutional strengthening 
  • Familiarity with technical standards and funding criteria relevant to climate and just transition projects 
  • Ability to lead, manage documentation, reporting, and performance tracking across multiple workstreams 
Other Skills:
  • Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement abilities 
  • Strong analytical and advisory skills 
  • Ability to work independently and manage multiple concurrent assignments 
  • High level of organisational discipline and attention to detail 
  • Ability to lead workshops, facilitate training, and prepare clients for pitching 

Working Arrangement
Location: South Africa (Hybrid/Remote)
Travel: Occasional in-country travel for pitch events or stakeholder meetings.

Terms of agreement:
Start Date: January 2026 
Contracting Period: 6 months 

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