The purpose of the Research Specialist is to provide high quality applied research support that is directly aligned Bank’s strategy. The role advances the Bank's catalytic DFI positioning by generating evidence-based insights that inform investment decisions, deepen sector intelligence, and support capital mobilisation across the infrastructure value chain.
The Research Specialist further contributes to thought leadership on DFI financing tools, infrastructure, economics, climate and sustainable development, reinforcing DBSA’s reputation as a leading knowledge institution in development finance.
1. Research Agenda Design, Execution and Dissemination
- Provide inputs into and execute the annual research agenda as approved by IDKC Board. in alignment with the DBSA's Corporate Strategy, responding to strategic priorities across all sectors in the DBSA, including energy transition, municipal finance, regional
- integration, and climate resilience.
- Translate strategic research priorities into concrete research projects supporting the Bank's Insights, Execution and Enablement (IEE) function and senior leadership decision-making (CEO, Exco, and Board).
- Deliver short-turnaround research briefs, background papers, and Board Enrichment platform inputs that provide timely evidence Bank's investment pipeline, sector strategies, and policy positions.
- Lead the peer review and editing of research outputs to ensure credibility, intellectual rigour, and alignment with DBSA quality standards.
- Facilitate the dissemination of research outputs through Knowledge Sessions, publications, and other institutional platforms to build internal and external awareness.
2. Applied Research, Econometric Analysis
- Apply econometric principles and a solid understanding of infrastructure development within the Bank’s operational sectors to support operations.
- Strengthen research outputs by aligning with Insights, Execution & Enablement (IEE) and automation priorities.
- Drive thought leadership by staying abreast of domestic, regional, and international research agendas.
- Conduct applied econometric and quantitative research to inform operational decision-making across the Bank’s core sectors, including energy (renewables, just transition, and transmission infrastructure), transport and logistics, water and sanitation, ICT and social infrastructure, spanning South Africa, the SADC region, and the Rest of Africa (ROA).
- Produce research and intelligence on finance instruments, including climate related financing such as green/sustainable bonds to support DBSA's climate finance mobilisation objectives and alignment with the South Africa Just Energy Transition Investment Plan (JET-IP).
- Apply advanced data analytics, geospatial analysis, and econometric modelling tools (R, Stata, SPSS, Eviews or equivalent) to large, multi-source datasets including administrative, financial, and spatial data.
- Generate sector-specific intelligence on energy transition scenarios, infrastructure investment models, and regional economic integration to strengthen the Bank's strategic positioning and thought leadership.
- Monitor and integrate emerging global research methodologies, DFI best practices, and innovation in infrastructure economics into the Bank's research approaches.
3. Stakeholder Engagement, Knowledge Leadership and Policy Influence
- Develop and maintain relationships with sector specialists, as well as, among others, operational units, and strategic divisions (including IDD, Project Preparation, and Climate Finance) to ensure research relevance and uptake across the infrastructure value chain.
- Initiate, develop, and manage research partnerships with other DFIs, multilateral development banks (MDBs), think tanks, academia, and government agencies — from conceptualisation through to publication and launch.
- Engage regulators, government departments, the Presidential Infrastructure Coordinating Council (PICC), and industry bodies to align research with national policy priorities (such as NDP Vision 2030, National Infrastructure Plan 2050, Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan).
- Contribute to DBSA's thought leadership outputs including sector reports, working papers, policy briefs, and opeds that advance evidence-based public discourse on infrastructure development, development finance and social and development impact.
4. Institutional Capacity Building, Knowledge Management and Research Integration
- Design and deliver research training programmes that build institutional analytical and policy analysis capacity across DBSA business units.
- Champion the integration of sustainability principles, and just transition frameworks into the Bank's research methodologies.
- Drive knowledge-sharing initiatives including seminars, internal knowledge sessions, and cross-functional learning platforms to build a culture of evidence-based decision-making aligned to DBSA’s strategic priorities.
Key Measurements of Outputs
- Delivery of a high-quality annual research agenda that is approved, on time, and aligned to DBSA's Corporate Strategic priorities.
- Produce and publish at least 2 high-quality research articles in different accredited journals.
- Production and timely dissemination of research outputs (reports, policy briefs, sector analyses, Board papers)
- Successful completion of short-turnaround research projects and input into the Board Enrichment themes as requested by the Chief Economist.
- Quality and rigour of applied econometric and quantitative analyses supporting operational decision-making across the sectors of the DBSA, including energy transition, municipal finance, regional integration, and climate finance.
- Depth and impact of external partnerships and networks with DFIs, MDBs, think tanks, universities, and government research entities.
- Demonstrated contribution to DBSA's positioning as a thought leader in infrastructure development finance — including publications, conference presentations, and contributions to national/continental policy discourse.
- Effectiveness of knowledge dissemination through Knowledge Sessions, training programmes, and cross-functional capacity building initiatives.
- Integration of ESG Sustainability, just transition, and climate finance considerations into research outputs and
institutional frameworks.
INTERNAL LIAISON RELATIONSHIP (*The list is not exhaustive)
- All business units and other relevant divisions
- DBSA Investment Committees and others
EXTERNAL LIAISON RELATIONSHIP (*The list is not exhaustive)
- Third Parties/Service providers
- DFIs, Knowledge partners, Think tanks, local/international organisations
- Research houses and data providers
Minimum Qualification
- A postgraduate qualification (Master’s degree) in Economics, Development Studies, Public Policy, Social Sciences, or closely related field.
Minimum Experience
- A Minimum of 8 years’ experience in applied research in economics, infrastructure, development finance, or related fields.
- Proven experience designing and executing research agendas, including short-turnaround projects aligned to institutional priorities.
- Strong proficiency in econometric and quantitative methodologies, with hands-on experience in tools such as R, Stata, SPSS, or EViews.
- Advanced capability in analysing and managing large, complex, multi-source datasets (administrative, financial, geospatial, and survey data).
- Sound knowledge of infrastructure development and financing across key sectors (energy, transport, logistics, water and sanitation, ICT).
- Strong policy analysis skills, with the ability to translate research into actionable recommendations for leadership and stakeholders.
- Proven track record in producing high-quality research outputs (reports, policy briefs, investment papers, and publications).
- Experience engaging senior stakeholders (executives, clients, regulators, and government) to align research with policy and investment objectives.
- Strong project and partnership management skills, including budgeting, delivery of multiple initiatives, and collaboration with external partners.
Desirable Requirements
- A PhD or Doctoral qualification in Economics, Development Studies, or a related discipline.
- Direct experience working in a DFI, MDB, or development finance context (e.g., AfDB, World Bank Group, NDB, or similar).
- Experience in research on municipal finance reform, local government infrastructure delivery.
- Working knowledge of infrastructure project lifecycle origination, preparation, appraisal, financing, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
- Exposure to continental and regional research agendas in Sub-Saharan Africa and the SADC region.
TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES
Research and Econometric Analysis
- Expert command of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, econometric modelling, and policy analysis.
- Advanced proficiency in R, Stata, SPSS, Eviews, or equivalent tools; experience with large multisource datasets.
- Proactively identifies the need for, initiates, plans and manages research projects as necessary.
- High level of skill in the use of advanced/complex analytical techniques, tools and models covering all potential business circumstances (such as GHG screening, resource utilisation and quantification) and highlighting potential risks/opportunities.
- Translates research reports into lucid and valid summaries and gives effective presentations of the findings.
- Able to translate findings into reports and present findings to key stakeholders and important meetings.
- Advises on the formulation and revision of policy in the light of research findings.
Policy Analysis and Translation
- Translates complex research into concise, actionable policy briefs, sector strategies, and investment recommendations.
- Advises on policy formulation and revision in light of research evidence.
Presentation Skills
- Can reinforce key presentation points with examples.
- Is able to translate technical terminology into language understandable to the audience.
- Has insight into the audience’s behaviour and motivation and responds appropriately and professionally, adapting communication style as appropriate.
Reporting
- Designs / customises reports to meet user needs.
- Prepares complex or tailored reports, gathers information from a variety of sources, analyses and includes it in a report.
- Keeps standard reports under review and proposes improvements to meet user needs.
Planning and Organising
- Plans and manages multiple priorities and deadlines.
- Uses effective advanced time management processes to deal with high workload and tight deadlines.
- Organises, prioritises, and schedules tasks so they can be performed within budget and with the efficient use of time and resources.
- Achieves goals in a timely manner, despite obstacles encountered, by organising, reprioritising, and re-planning.
- Can model a range of scenarios covering all potential business circumstances and highlight potential risks/opportunities.
Written & Verbal Communication
- Understands that different writing styles are required for different documents or audiences.
- Writes effectively with clarity.
- Reviews others’ documents for clarity and impact.
- Able to understand topic switches and use vocabulary of attitude.
- Reasonably fluent in speaking.
- Able to communicate complex problems or concepts by making them understandable for others.
Stakeholder Management
- Actively engages partners and encourages others to build relationships that support DBSA objectives.
- Proactively manages partner relationships, preventing or resolving any conflict.
- Adapts style to work effectively with partners, building consensus, trust and respect.
- Delivers objectives by bringing together diverse stakeholders to work effectively in partnerships.
h) Project Management
- Demonstrates a practical knowledge of project management principles and techniques.
i) Learning and Knowledge Sharing
- Open to new ideas.
- Shares own knowledge.
- Applies knowledge in daily work.
- Builds partnerships for learning and knowledge sharing.
- Share findings and impact through approved DBSA channels.
BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES
a) Achievement Orientation
- Ability to act on feedback and take/ use constructive criticism to revise the course of a deliverable or action, should this be required.
- Flexibility and the ability to identify and work with different views and perspectives
- Undertakes challenging assignments and strives to complete them.
- Sets priorities and chooses goals on the basis of calculated costs, anticipated benefits and improvement of performance.
- Aims at exceptional performance; setting out to achieve a unique standard.
- Constantly analyses outcomes to ensure the achievement of business goals.
- Identifies short-term opportunities or potential problems, aiming to achieve better outcomes.
b) Customer Service Orientation
- Tries to understand the underlying needs of customers and matches these needs to available or customised products and services.
- Adapts processes and procedures to meet ongoing customer needs.
- Utilises the feedback received by customers to develop new and/or improve existing services/products that relate to their ongoing needs.
- Thinks of new ways to align DBSA’s offerings with future customer needs.
c) Integrity
- Is willing to end a business relationship because it was associated with unethical business practices.
- Is capable of challenging senior management (appropriately and respectfully) in order to act on espoused values.
d) Leading and Empowering Others
- Creates the conditions that enable the team to perform at its best (e.g., setting clear direction, providing appropriate structure, getting the right people, obtaining needed resources).
- Monitors performance against clear standards, addresses performance issues promptly and takes action to get performance back to desired levels.
- Proactively asks for feedback on own performance from team members, aiming to become more effective.
- Ensures tasks are delegated so that team members are empowered to deliver results and develop their capabilities.
e) Strategic and Innovative Thinking
- Recognises opportunities or potential problems before they become obvious, by seeing the connections in a range of sources of information, including insights from outside DBSA.
- Restates complex knowledge in a way that makes it easier for others to understand.
- Experiments with new approaches, tests scenarios, questions assumptions and challenges conventional thinking.
- Creates new concepts that are not obvious to others, leveraging internal and external sources of information, to build incremental revenue and growth opportunities.
f) Teamwork & Cooperation
- Acts to promote a friendly climate and good morale and resolves conflicts.
- Creates opportunities for cross-functional working.
- Encourages others to network outside of their own team/department and learn from their experience.
- The KPA’s, competencies and relationships listed in this document are not exhaustive, and the incumbent will be expected to undertake additional duties within their capacity to meet the needs of business and/or the business unit.
