Sector Manager at African Development Bank Group

THE POSITION:

Under the supervision of the PESD Director (Power Systems Development Department) within the PEVP Complex (Power, Energy, Climate and Green Growth), the Sector Manager, Power and Energy Operations serves as the leader of the Division in the region and empowers RBDU staff to accomplish their objectives by directing and delegating duties and tasks while supporting, mentoring and engaging with them to deliver the agreed regional work program. He/She coordinates the collaborative efforts with other Departments of the PEVP Complex and oversees engagement with other Complexes of the Bank to identify business opportunities that have a positive impact on overall achievement of the High 5s.

Duties and responsibilities

Under direct supervision of the Director, Power Systems Development, PEVP Complex, and in close collaboration with the Regional Directorate of the RDVP Complex, the Sector Manager, PESD4 / PESD54, will perform the following:

Leadership and Management

• Lead the strategic staffing of the Power Systems Development team in the region, giving due support to and championing the Bank’s Energy Strategy, and delivery of the Light Up and Power Africa component of the High Fives.
• Lead and manage the Power Systems Development team in the assigned region and ensure the team is high-performing, well-motivated and committed to the success of the Bank.
• Lead, plan, organize, manage and supervise the activities and work programme of the Division with appropriate delegation of day-to-day activities.
• Drive and ensure operational efficiency and effectiveness of the Power Systems Development Division in achieving the Bank’s strategic imperatives and the management of change.
• Cultivate and ensure a culture of "ONE-Bank" in the entire Power, Energy, Climate and Green Growth Complex with the highest levels of ethics, fiduciary responsibility and professionalism to protect and enhance the reputation of the Bank.
• Provide technical and managerial leadership to empower staff in the definition and realization of the key performance indicators (KPIs) of the Division as derived from the PESD Department’s KPIs / targets - including joint / shared KPIs with other PEVP units and Bank Complexes.
• Ensure effective Divisional budget resources management.
• Strengthen the human and institutional capacities of countries and regional power development institutions, to deepen the capacity of the Bank to prepare and implement transformational flagship power sector projects/programs effectively, and to become the thought leader in knowledge products and advisory support services in power utility and electricity services management.
• Build and reinforce teams of highly talented and motivated technical and operational staff, for efficient and effective business development and delivery of the lending and non-lending work programmes in the assigned region.
• Ensure the Task Managers of the Division contribute to the development of Country Strategy Papers (CSPs) and Regional Integration Strategy Papers (RISPs) in relation to Power Systems Development needs of countries of assignment.
• Lead multi-disciplinary teams including Investment Officers, Economists, Financial Analysists, Engineers, Environmental & Social, Fiduciary experts, Lawyers, etc., to identify, prepare, design, appraise operations, and lead technical dialogue in power sector development, reforms and restructuring.
• Lead and drive the Division’s contribution to development policy dialogue with Government Officials in the Power / Energy Ministry in close collaboration with PEVP managem ent/personnel and the Regional Business Delivery Unit.

Business Development

• Manage the delivery of the lending and non-lending programmes for member countries in the region in accordance with Bank policies and procedures.
• Advance regional integration through the development of, and contribution towards the execution of major regional transformative development projects to attain the Bank’s High 5s: Namely, ‘Light up & Power Africa,’ ‘Integrate Africa’, ‘Industrialize Africa’, ‘Improve the Quality of Life for the People of Africa’ and ‘Feed Africa’.
• Ensure demonstrable impacts are made as per the objectives of the Bank ‘Strategy for the New Deal on Energy for Africa’, the ‘Gender Strategy’ and the ‘Jobs for Youth in Africa Strategy’ among others.
• In close collaboration with PEVP management/personnel, develop critical resources including tools and technical capability necessary for originating bankable projects, and contribute to strengthening cross-complex programmatic linkages and efforts.
• Pipeline Development: In collaboration with regional power development institutions, build and maintain a diversified pipeline and lending programme of investments (SO and NSO) in the power sector across the region to meet the Bank’s profitability targets while delivering transformative impacts throughout the electricity supply value chain.
• Identification of Opportunities: Identify and secure project/program co-financing opportunities and joint collaboration activities with other Development Partners including in the financing of innovative Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) power infrastructure projects.
• Under the guidance of the Director, PESD, and in collaboration with the Regional Director General, spearhead national and regional business development and investment campaigns, and drive resource mobilization across the countries to grow and diversify the portfolio of the Bank.
• Jointly with the Regional teams and the PEVP Complex, manage client relationships, and ensure high levels of client satisfaction;

Building Relationships and Using Influence

• Developing partnerships:  Lead the Division’s contribution in the creation of networks and partnerships to implement the ‘Light up and Power Africa’ of the High 5, and make impact on ‘Feed Africa,’ ‘Industrialize Africa,’ ‘Integrate Africa,’ and ‘Improve the Quality of Life for the People of Africa’ pillars of the High 5s;
• Build strong relationships: Build strong and strategic relationships with regional and local private businesses and firms, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), River Basin Organizations (RBOs), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), United Nations (UN) organizations, bilateral and multilateral partners and Government officials to share information and experiences to develop impactive (socially & economically) investment opportunities and to ramp up co-financing and loan syndications to realize projects.
• Project Management: (i) Ensure that when preparing and designing projects in Countries in fragile situations, there is effective liaison with internal Fragility and Resilience Experts to ensure effective application of the fragility-lens, taking into consideration the fragility context (economic, political, social, environmental, employment and regional factors) and implications from a risk management point of view to minimize negative impacts, and to make an informed beneficial impact to project design; (ii) Supervise all stages of the project cycle, including Board presentation and technical support up to project completion (SO) and debt repayment / exit (NSO); (iii) Drive the development and delivery of transformational power infrastructure projects for the region and the continent.

Performance Management

• Execute staff performance management, including work performance appraisals and assessments of staff potential, and training and development needs.
• Foster an environment that stimulates and rewards performance, initiative and innovation, and encourages continuous learning, open communication and teamwork.

Selection Criteria

• Hold at least Master’s degree (or its university equivalent) in Electrical/Power Engineering, Electro-mechanical Engineering, Energy Services or any other relevant field.
• A minimum of eight (8) years of professional experience in a senior management position or leadership role in a power utility, with at some private sector experience; and certified by a recognized Engineering institution.
• Must hold Qualification or Certification in any of Project Management, Power and Energy Economics/Finance or any Construction works management certification.
• Experience in development of national and multinational Power and Energy Strategies and strong understanding of socio-economic and development issues of evolving national and regional electricity markets in Africa.
• Demonstrated experience and successful track-record in working with Development Finance Institutions.
• Demonstrated experience in management of a portfolio of energy/power investment projects, portfolio optimization and risk evaluation, project re-financing and restructuring in response to changing business environments.
• Familiarity with strategies, policies, procedures and practices of bi-lateral and multilateral development institutions.
• Demonstrated understanding of sovereign and non-sovereign project cycles and financing structures, including alignment with least-cost national / regional master-plans and project identification, development, design, due diligence, risk assessment / allocation and implementation / management strategy (including procurement strategy, communication strategy, knowledge management, capacity building, handover and other critical success factors).
• Has knowledge and understanding of the elements essential for the effective delivery and measurement of electricity access development impacts through projects and programs in developing countries.
• Ability to identify and create meaningful linkages across sectors, and with other development partners to drive development impact at a country and regional level.
• Ability to take prudent business risks and make effective, timely and well-determined decisions.