Apply: AfDB Renewable Energy Director

By Development Diaries
April 6, 2021

Deadline: 01 May, 2021

Location: Abidjan, Ivory Coast

The African Development Bank (AfDB) is seeking to fill the role of Director Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency.

AfDB’s mission is to spur sustainable economic development and social progress in its regional member countries (RMCs).

Responsibilities

Supervise the renewable energy division to promote the development of renewable energy across the African continent and position the bank, not only as a knowledge and thought leader on renewable energy, but also as an efficient and innovative partner of RMCs and of the private sector in financing and implementing renewable projects in the decentralised energy space
Supervise the energy efficiency and clean cooking division to promote energy efficiency along with clean cooking
Supervise the energy initiatives workstream to promote and implement various initiatives such as the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA) with various stakeholders
Provide leadership in driving the implementation of the desert to power initiative including high-stakeholder engagement with countries and partners
Ensure the divisions engage with regional hub teams in the process of identification, preparation, implementation and monitoring of operations related to decentralised renewables, energy efficiency and clean cooking
Liaise with regional and country offices to develop and implement bankable pipeline in the areas covered by the department
Ensure the directorate provides support to RMCs in collaboration with the climate change department of the bank to ensure the effective implementation of the renewable energy components of their NDCs
Ensure the directorate assists RMCs in setting enabling policy and regulatory environment (including the setting up of quality standards) for the development of renewable energy, off-grid/mini-grid access, energy efficiency and clean cooking solutions
Ensure the directorate provides technical advice to support distributed energy projects and increase access to finance through dedicated facilities and extension of guarantees
Ensure the directorate provides technical advice to support catalytic energy efficiency projects and increase access to finance for small-scale energy efficiency projects
Ensure the directorate provides technical advice to support clean cooking-related investments including supply-side support to SMEs providing clean cooking solutions and promotion of clean cooking on the demand side
Liaise with the energy financial solutions department on regulatory matters and the structuring and financial analysis of complex/innovative projects
Help position the bank as a knowledge and thought leader in relevant areas
Foster an environment that stimulates and rewards innovation, creativity and accountability for results, and motivate staff to deliver significant impact on the ground
Oversee the facility for energy inclusion (off-grid and on-grid fund) managed by external fund managers
Oversee the SEFA special fund and drive the implementation of its three components on green baseload, green mini-grids and energy efficiency
Lead resource mobilisation efforts for flagship programmes

Requirements

Master’s degree, minimum, in Renewable Energy, Engineering, Business Administration, or a related discipline
Ten years, minimum, of professional work in areas related to energy, some of which in Africa, with five years in a managerial role and/or in supervising a team and coordinating work programmes or projects
Deep exposure and understanding of the international agenda and geopolitics of renewable energy, climate change and green growth
Wide networks and experience with international institutions and agencies working on energy in Africa and globally
Deep knowledge of the development of renewable energy projects across Africa
Knowledge of energy efficiency issues and clean cooking solutions
Proven ability to mobilise resources at scale for projects and programmes
Ability to communicate effectively and mobilise key actors to delivery (private sector, public sector and civil society)
Proven ability to build multi-organisation partnerships to manage complex objectives
Highly developed negotiation skills proven to yield positive outcomes with senior counterparts (both internal and external)
Ability to listen and communicate effectively with oversight bodies such as multinational boards of executive directors and governors and other senior government officials
Highly developed strategic thinking skills aligned with the ability to translate strategic concepts and direction into the implementation of workable and sustainable policies and regulations
Experience in forging and managing relationships with a variety of stakeholders
Familiarity with the work of multilateral development finance institutions
Proven ability to build and direct a high performing team to achieve visionary and challenging goals
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
Communicate and write effectively in French or English
Competence in the use of bank standard software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)