The African Development Bank is the premier pan-African development institution, promoting economic growth and social progress across the continent. 

POSITION : Division Manager, Strategic Private Sector Relationships

DESCRIPTION

• The Manager of the Strategic Private Sector Relationships Division will have the overall responsibility to build and manage relationships with anchor (global/regional) industry players (corporates, project developers), public and private financial institutions, institutional investors, investment funds and related industry associations. This involves regular interaction with and mobilization of finance/investment from these actors.

 Responsibilities

• Manage relationships with private sector stakeholders through appropriate and transparent arrangements to ensure participation of private sector expertise and funding in the energy sector.
• 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 act as competence center for 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.
• Manage a regular publication for key private sector stakeholders.
• Foster an environment that stimulates and rewards innovation, creativity and accountability for results, and motivate staff to deliver significant impact on the ground.
• Ensure adequate awareness, training and capacity for private sector concerns in the energy sector in other relevant Bank divisions and local Bank staff.
• Lead the Transformative Partnership on Energy for Africa in aspects of coordination related to key strategic private sector stakeholders.
• Manage the “Strategic Private Sector Relationships” Division to build and manage relationships with anchor (global/regional/national) industry players (corporates, project developers), public and private financial institutions, institutional investors and related industry associations.
• Establish and manage a database with key strategic private sector partners for the energy sector (including but not limited to international/local project developers, international/local corporates, international/regional/local financial institutions, Multilateral Development Banks /Development Financial Institutions, international/regional/local institutional investors, industry associations, foundations etc.).
• Ensure regular interaction with these key strategic private sector actors and businesses relevant to the achievement of the New Deal on Energy objectives, including on investment strategies, required sector reforms, project preparation.
• Establish and manage a list of regional/national priority action projects for private investment in Africa’s energy sector.
• Liaise with sponsors, project developers, investors, project preparation facilities and other stakeholders to accelerate preparation of these projects.
• Contribute to ‘New Deal Energy Compacts’ on issues related to the private sector.
• Organize convening events for key strategic private sector partners at the international/regional/national level.
• Lead the mobilization of requisite resources from Development Financial Institutions and private partners, significantly increasing the mobilization of private finance for Africa’s energy sector.
• Closely collaborate with the Public Energy Initiatives and Partnerships Manager in creating an understanding of private sector needs and public-private partnerships by the public sector.
• Closely collaborate with other relevant Bank departments.
• Undertake any other task the Vice President or Director may assign.

Selection Criteria

• Clear understanding of the drivers and barriers to success in complex regulatory, political and cultural environments.
• Knowledge of corporate and financial sector actors in infrastructure/energy in Africa with an understanding of equity and debt investments.
• Familiarity with the work of multilateral Development Finance Institutions.
• Knowledge of energy landscape in Africa, key challenges and investment opportunities.
• Highly developed strategic thinking skills allied to an ability to translate strategic concepts and direction into the implementation of workable and sustainable policies and initiatives.
• Identify market trends and opportunities for financial innovation.
• Cmmunicate effectively (written and oral) in English or French, with a working knowledge of the other.
• Competence in the use of standard Microsoft Office Suite applications and preferably SAP.
• Hold at least a Master's Degree or its equivalent in Electrical Engineering, Finance, Business Management, or related subjects.
• Have at least eight (8) years of experience (including three (3) years management), in infrastructure/energy sector with financing focus or in the financial sector (commercial/investment bank or asset/investment manager) with a focus on emerging markets investments, preferably in infrastructure.
• Experience in infrastructure corporate and project finance, preferably in the energy sector, at a commercial or investment bank or an asset/investment manager.
• Proven track record of infrastructure/energy finance in emerging markets.
• Experience in public-private partnerships in infrastructure.
• Experience of forging and managing strategic partnerships with local organizations, governments, corporates, financial institutions, institutional investors.
• Proven track record in achieving results in complex political and institutional settings.
• Ability to innovate and create approaches to activities in order to enhance performance and create added benefits to the Bank and its clients.
• Communicate effectively and mobilize key actors to delivery (private sector, public sector and civil society).
• Build multi-stakeholder partnerships to manage complex objectives and increase private sector participation in infrastructure across Africa.
• Build and direct a high performing team to achieve visionary and challenging goals.
• 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.
• Developed negotiation skills proven to yield positive outcomes with counterparts, both internal and external.
• Ability to listen and communicate effectively with counterparts.
• Deep knowledge of private sector investment requirements and processes, including in the financial sector.