African Development Bank Group Job Vacancy : Principal Green Mini-Grids Market Development Specialist

African Development Bank Group (AfDB) – Established in 1964, the African Development Bank is the premier pan-African development institution, promoting economic growth and social progress across the continent. There are 80 member states, including 54 in Africa (Regional Member Countries). The Banks development agenda is delivering the financial and technical support for transformative projects that will significantly reduce poverty through inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Principal Green Mini-Grids Market Development Specialist

Reference: ADB/19/008
Location: Côte d’Ivoire
Grade: PL3
Position N°: 50067404

The Unit

The Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA) is housed in PERN1. SEFA is a multi-donor trust fund financed by the Governments of Denmark, the UK, the USA, Italy and Norway. SEFA provides technical assistance and innovative and catalytic financing for energy access by unlocking private sector investments in renewable energy (RE) and energy efficiency (EE) projects and programs.

Duties and responsibilities
Under the supervision of the PERN Special Initiatives Manager and the Head of SEFA, the Incumbent will carry out the following tasks:

Work closely with the SEFA project development team to lead the final structuring and transaction advisory of the maturing projects/programs in the view to bringing them to bankability stage.
Lead transaction advisory activities on all commercial and financial aspects of projects for SEFA portfolio projects/programs post-SEFA Project Preparation support, with the objectives to transforming opportunities into investment.
Lead the origination and business development activities – beyond SEFA Project Development portfolio – leading to the generation of a pipeline of sustainable energy investments to which AfDB’s range of finance instruments, including non-sovereign lending, could be applied as well as other co-financiers.
Identify potential co-financiers and negotiate with them for every transaction. Develop longer term financing arrangements with co-financiers where possible.
Structure the due diligence process and tools building on existing AfDB’s and lead independent research on the investment climate, project sponsors, management, economic, financial, marketing, technical, and legal aspects of the projects.
Undertake assessments of the risks of projects and advise on appropriate mitigating measures, structuring/restructuring of projects to minimize market, credit and operational risk.
Lead the preparation of project/program appraisal reports for presentation to the relevant decision committees up to approval.
Conduct any other relevant tasks aimed at the fulfilment of SEFA objectives, as may be assigned by the PERN Special Initiatives Manager (or other Manager as may be responsible for SEFA at AfDB) and the SEFA Head.
Develop a specific annual work programme contributing to the SEFA objectives
Quarterly progress updates to be included in SEFA’s quarterly reports
Annual briefs as an input to the annual reports.
Project appraisal reports and investment packages as requested by any internal approval committee.
Periodic guidance notes on market best practices.
Modeling of innovative financing for scale-up programs, best practices, and blended finance structuring of projects and programs.

Selection Criteria
Including desirable skills, knowledge and experience:

At least a Master’s degree or equivalent in Economics, Finance, and/or MBA or similar, relevant for carrying out the required tasks;
A minimum of seven (7) years of relevant experience in the development, finance and management of (renewable and efficient) energy projects Prior experience with Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) or international commercial banks; prior exposure to appraisal, procurement and disbursement processes is desirable;
Experience in identifying, structuring, and financial closure of infrastructure projects and structuring private-sector and public-private partnerships (PPP) in emerging markets or in a developing country context with experience and knowledge in infrastructure project finance.;
Familiarity with the energy project development cycle and understanding of lenders’ requirements for “bankability”, including experience in dealing with renewable energy independent power producers (IPPs);
Experience in dealing with private sector actors (developers, investors and financial institutions), including in capacity-building and advisory functions;
Knowledge of the African power sector, including institutional, policy and regulatory issues. At least 5 years of energy sector’s experience in developing countries; experience of SSA markets desirable;
Integrity and ability to work in a dynamic team as well as to supervise other specialists;
Working knowledge in English and French; working knowledge of an additional language relevant for conducting duties in Sub-Sahel African countries will be an asset;
Gender and Diversity competence
Communicate and write effectively in French or English, with a good working knowledge of the other language;
Working knowledge of an additional language relevant for conducting duties in Sub-Sahel African countries will be an asset;
Competence in the use of standard Microsoft Office Suite applications; knowledge of SAP is an added advantage.