Principal Operations Officer (SEFA), PERN3 at African Development Bank

THE POSITION:

The Principal Operations Officer will drive and/or support a range of programme and portfolio management activities linked to the origination, appraisal and implementation of investment and technical assistance projects and programmes, with a specific focus on the functioning of SEFA.  Specifically, he/she will act as a lead for the SEFA Operations Team and in so doing will be responsible for the day-to-day supervision of support staff covering portfolio monitoring, management reporting, procurement, communications and monitoring and evaluation (M&E).

KEY FUNCTIONS:

Under the supervision of the PERN.3 Division Manager (the Head of SEFA), the Principal Operations Officer will carry out the following tasks:

Programme Administration:

• Act as the primary resource on SEFA Operational Procedures, guiding project teams in the proper design of projects, appraisal and implementation, ensuring alignment with rules and procedures.
• Supervise the pipeline development/portfolio management platform that is used for tracking the implementation of projects and related operational activities.
• Maintain up-to-date guidelines, templates and user manuals for internal and external audiences.
• Oversee the accurate entry and ongoing maintenance of all SEFA projects in the Bank’s relevant systems, such as SAP Project System (PS) and Trust Fund Management System (TFMS) and other project tracking platforms, ensuring compliance with new systems and guidelines
• Supervise a team of professionals (long-term consultants) providing technical backstopping on aspects of procurement, financial management, communications, knowledge management, M&E.
• Design and implement a robust portfolio management platform leveraging latest software and artificial intelligence applications, in collaboration with the Bank’s IT department.

Reporting, M&E and Knowledge Management

• Ensure continuous improvement and adequate implementation of SEFA’s M&E framework.
• Design and implement an IT platform for real-time monitoring of project results, with advanced analytics features (in collaboration with an external partner).
• Ensure, through appropriate tools, accurate tracking and reporting of SEFA’s key outputs and outcomes to ensure appropriate reporting of SEFA’s impacts.
• Lead in the preparation of SEFA’s annual report, semi-annual reports, quarterly management updates
• Lead the development of the Annual Work Plan and Budget (AWPB).
• Develop a knowledge management action plan and coordinate related activities, including knowledge products and outreach events.

Communications and stakeholder management:

• Coordinate SEFA’s web-presence (AfDB website, external website, external donor data platform, etc.).
• Manage SEFA’s communications materials, including brochures, presentations and press releases.
• Liaison and coordination with internal and external partners, on aspects related to procurement, financial management and audits, compliance with Bank and SEFA rules and procedures.
• Manage operational requests from SEFA donors, including disbursements, financial reports and operational updates.

SELECTION CRITERIA (including desirable skills, knowledge and experience):

• At least a Master’s degree or equivalent in economics, finance, energy or related field.
• A minimum of six (6) years of relevant experience in project portfolio management, preferably with complex portfolios including multiple instruments (grants, equity and debt).
• Experience of working with projects and institutions in Africa, preferably with some exposure to processes and procedures of development finance institutions.
• Proven ability to monitor programs and to ensure quality of portfolio/program performance.
• Some prior exposure to energy sector and private sector finance not mandatory but an advantage
• Ability to work independently, pro-actively and with little supervision.
• Strong inter-personal competencies and demonstrated team leadership skills
• Gender and Diversity competence
• Communicate and write effectively in French or English, with strong working knowledge of the other language;
• Competence in the use of standard Microsoft Office Suite applications; knowledge of SAP, portfolio management tools and artificial intelligence applications is an added advantage.