Principal Financial Sector Relationships Officer at the African Development Bank (AfDB)

African Development Bank (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 Bank's 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 Financial Sector Relationships Officer

Reference: ADB/17/338
Location: Côte d’Ivoire
Grade: PL4
Position N°: 50093761

The Complex

• The Vice Presidency for ‘Power, Energy, Climate and Green Growth’ is a Sector Complex focusing on the Bank’s TYS High 5s priority of “Light up and Power Africa”.
• The complex’s objectives are (i) to develop policy and strategy; (ii) provide deep sector technical expertise to the Regions by gathering pool of experienced individuals who can be consulted for their expertise on complicated transactions; (iii) develop new financing instruments; (iv) act as spoke person to represent the Bank with external stakeholders on all aspects of “Light Up and Power Africa”.
• The Complex will focus on areas of Power systems, policy and regulation, renewable energy; and, Climate and Green Growth.

The Hiring Department/ Division

• The Energy Partnerships Department core objective is building, strengthening, and maintaining the Transformative Partnership on Energy for Africa.
• This will require broad engagement with other Development Financial Institutions, Regional Member Countries, Non-Regional Member Countries, and the private sector (corporates and financial institutions).
• The Department includes a “Public Energy Initiatives and Partnerships” Division and a “Strategic Private Sector Relationships” Division.
• The Strategic Private Sector Relationships Division builds and manages relationships with anchor (global/regional/national) industry players (corporates, project developers), public and private financial institutions, institutional investors and related associations with the objective to increase the number of private sector projects and private sector financing in the energy sector.

The Position

• The Principal Financial Sector Relationships Officer will be responsible for mobilizing the support, build and manage relationships with anchor (global/regional/national) financial institutions for the successful implementation of the New Deal.
• The incumbent will also be responsible to understand the investment requirements of these financial institutions, facilitate investment program and project preparation and increase their participation in the energy sector.

Duties and Responsibilities
Under the overall supervision and general guidance of the Division Manager, Strategic Private Sector Relationships, the Principal Financial Sector Relationships Specialist will perform the following:

• Lead the Transformative Partnership on Energy for Africa in aspects of coordination related to key strategic financial sector stakeholders (public and private financial institutions, institutional investors, industry associations);
• Build and manage relationships with international/regional/local public and private financial institutions, institutional investors and related industry associations;
• Establish and manage a database of key strategic financial sector partners for the energy sector (including but not limited to international/regional/local financial institutions, private sector oriented Development Finance Institutions, international/regional/local institutional investors, industry associations, foundations etc.);
• Ensure regular consultations with key strategic financial sector actors relevant to the achievement of the New Deal on Energy objectives, including on investment strategies and opportunities, required sector reforms, project preparation, investment solutions;
• Establish and manage a list of regional/national priority action projects for private investment in Africa’s energy sector;
• Work with sponsors, project developers, investors, project preparation facilities, financial institutions and other stakeholders to accelerate preparation of these projects;
• Contribute to the ‘New Deal Energy Compacts’ on issues related to the private and financial sector;
• Organize convening events for key strategic financial sector partners at the international/regional/national level;
• Lead the mobilization of requisite resources from Development Finance Institutions and the financial sector, significantly increasing the mobilization of private finance for Africa’s energy sector, including through local currency finance and innovative financing solutions (guarantees, securitization);
• Follow international, regional and local financial sector and other market developments related to private participation/investment in the energy sector, identify new trends and opportunities and inform other divisions in the Power, Energy, Climate and Green Growth Complex and the Bank;
• Lead new financial product development for pooled investment solutions for the energy sector in collaboration with the Director Transformative Energy Partnerships, other relevant departments of the Bank and relevant external partners;
• Contribute to a regular publication for key private sector stakeholders;
• Ensure adequate awareness, training and capacity for private sector concerns in the energy sector in other relevant Bank divisions and local Bank staff;
• Closely collaborate with the Public Energy Initiatives and Partnerships Manager and team in creating an understanding of the public sector for private sector needs and in public-private partnerships.

Selection Criteria
Including Desirable Skills, Knowledge and Experience:

• Hold at least a Master’s degree or its equivalent in Finance, Business Administration, or related subjects; Chartered Financial Analyst is an added advantage.
• Have a minimum of six (6) years of leadership experience in corporate and project finance in infrastructure/energy in emerging markets at a commercial bank, investment bank, development finance institution or asset manager.
• Experience in a combination of the following areas will be essential: infrastructure development and project finance, public-private partnerships, equity and/or debt investments, experience in commercial or investment banking or asset management.
• Experience in project finance involving several public and private financial institutions.
• Having private sector experience will be an added advantage.
• Proven track record in achieving results through collaboration across public and private sectors.
• Deep knowledge of investment processes and criteria of private financial sector institutions and institutional investors.
• Clear understanding of the drivers and barriers to success in complex regulatory, political and cultural environments.
• Knowledge of energy sector and financial sector development in Africa and familiarity with the work of major financing entities active in the energy sector.
• Ability to innovate and create approaches to activities in order to enhance performance and create added benefits to the Bank and its clients.
• Ability to communicate effectively and mobilize key actors to delivery (private sector, public sector and civil society).
• Proven ability to build multi-stakeholder partnerships to manage complex objectives
• Proven interpersonal skills demonstrated by the ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment, with sensitivity and respect for diversity and the ability to build trust and provide leadership to different team members;
• Highly developed negotiation skills proven to yield positive outcomes with counterparts, both internal and external;
• Ability to listen and communicate effectively with counterparts
• Ability to communicate effectively (written and oral) in English or French, preferably with a working knowledge of the other.
• Competence in the use of standard Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint)

Application Closing Date
2nd August, 2017.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online