Public - Private Partnership Finance Expert (AWF) at the African Development Bank (AfDB)

The African Development Bank (AfDB) is the premier multi-lateral development finance institution fostering economic growth and social progress in Africa. The AfDB’s primary goal is to reduce poverty and improve living standards by mobilising resources in and outside Africa, and providing financial and technical assistance for development projects and programs in Africa.

AfDB is recruiting on behalf of the African Water Facility (AWF) to fill the position below:

Job Title: Public - Private Partnership Finance Expert (AWF)

Reference: ADB/18/223
Location: Côte d’Ivoire
Position N°: 50088561
Grade: PL4

The African Water Facility

• The African Water Facility (AWF) is an initiative of the African Minister’s Council on Water (AMCOW) to mobilize resources to finance water sector facilitation and investments in Africa. The Facility has been established within the context of the Africa Water Vision and the Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs).
• The African Development Bank is managing the Facility at the request of AMCOW. The resources of the AWF are primarily allocated to: water resources projects and programmes focused on improving the enabling environment for sustainable national and regional water resources management, prepare projects and programmes for immediate capital investments, and provide resources for strategic and direct small-scale investments.
• The AWF plans, organizes and carries out activities related to projects and programs cycle activities (identification, preparation, appraisal implementation and supervision) in the above areas, in all African countries; undertakes studies on issues regarding water sector development and related areas; provide advice and technical assistance to African countries; and ensure coordination and synergy with other partners and donors in the water and sanitation sector in Africa. The AWF currently manages a €166 million project portfolio spread all over Africa.

Key Functions

• The African Urban Sanitation Investment Fund (AUSIF), a program under the AWF, was approved in January 2018 to support African countries in their efforts to address the challenges of low access to improved sanitation services and infrastructure by the urban poor on the continent. 
• The UN’s Joint Monitoring Programme has reported low (and declining) access, citing the key constraints to improvement as:
  • Limited financial investments in urban sanitation facilities and services (including sewer networks, off  grid sanitation and waste water treatment plants);
  • Inadequate delivery of sanitation services due to lack of appropriate technologies (equipment’s, infrastructure, cost recovery) and ;
  • Weak governance and institutional structures that lead to weak policy development and implementation.
• The PPP Finance Expert position will play an important role in helping AWF successfully implement the Urban Sanitation Programme, by leading the development of a range of activities to promote maximum private and public sector participation in the investments needed to address the above constraints. 
• The success of AUSIF and the Urban Sanitation Programme will be key factors in helping African countries achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal Six (SDG6) – Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

Duties and Responsibilities

• As the position title implies, the PPP Finance Expert’s responsibilities are at the nexus of financial mobilization, financial operations, marketing and analyses in both the private and public sectors, hence requiring a combination of multiple skills to be successful. 
• The main responsibilities will be the need to maximize the use of tools/instruments employed to manage investment risk in the financial markets with the institutional policy-driven objectives of the AUSIF/AWF.
• Furthermore, structuring PPP deals will require balancing transaction/project-specific operational work with policy advocacy, outreach, communications and coordination of events and functions, which implies being able to effectively work with a wide range of methods, procedures and processes.
• The expert will also interact with a wide range of stakeholders and tailor communication and collaboration according to the different audiences: internal and external; public and private sector; water experts, finance experts.
• S/He will undertake various activities, which among others include but not limited to the following:

Establishment of the AUSIF:

• Lead in the preparation of the  AUSIF Reports;
• Review and advise on the PPP aspects of the study for the establishment of AUSIF;
• Participate in the drafting of the Establishment Instruments (to address such topics as purpose and objectives, administration, governance, financial arrangements, etc)
• Participate in the development of the Fund’s operational procedures.

Operationalization of AUSIF:

• Lead/participate in the development of a multiyear (at least 3) strategy for mobilizing and maximizing PSP with defined goals and metrics to assess achievement;
• Participate in the development of a brief but concise annual business plan;
• Lead the establishment of a brokerage or advisory function for risk mitigation instruments like guarantees to address the lack of familiarity within the water sector of risk mitigation instruments. This involves liaising with different guarantors to help project sponsors obtain the necessary package of guarantees/risk mitigation.
• Support the establishment of a Networking Platform for water-related investments for public and private funders looking for deal flow to meet public and private water sector players who are seeking finance. This includes contributing PPP Finance expertise needed for high profile events and platform meetings to market project opportunities, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
• Support the definition and undertaking investment promotion tools (e.g., inventory of project opportunities, credit ratings of utilities, etc.).

Following onset of operations and on an ongoing basis, the PPP Finance Expert will contribute to AWF’s project preparation and investment activities, leading identification, development, and assessment of opportunities for Private Sector Participation. Specifically, he/she will:

• Review all project proposals in the African Water Facility pipeline and identify opportunities for PSP/PSI.
• Support AWF staff in identifying, preparing and structuring programs and projects that have elements of PSP/PSI (e.g., PPPs and/or commercial finance); Undertake or participate as a team member or team leader in project identification, preparation, and appraisal missions in this regard.
• He/she will also drive continuous improvements to strengthen AWF support for PSP.
• Review, monitor and enhance PSP/PSI in all AWF programs and projects, studies and capacity building and institutional strengthening activities in RMC’s and Regional Organizations through workshops, field missions, and internal review processes;
• Document, customize and disseminate best practices and current developments in the field of PSP/PSI in water-related projects; Compile relevant information that could be transformed into knowledge products;
• Participate and contribute to AWF participation in international and regional fora with the view to building AWF capacity in contemporary thinking in regard to PSP/PSI;
• Engage and supervise consultants to support the above areas of work;

AWF Administration/Liaison:

• Contribute to the preparation of the AWF Annual Report, and the Annual Work plan and budget as required;
• Respond to requests for information from the AWF Co-ordinator and the AWF team at HQ in a timely manner;
• Participate in the co-ordination and organisation of AWF activities and participate in specific AWF events as required;
• Undertake assignments as may be required by the AWF Co-ordinator from time to time;

Selection Criteria
Including desirable skills, knowledge and experience

• At least a Master’s degree or equivalent in Finance, Economics, Business Administration or related field
• A minimum of six (6) years relevant experience developing, structuring or facilitating Public Private Partnerships or other forms involving commercial finance for infrastructure and basic service provision in developing countries.
• Familiarity with various financing instruments including grants, loans, equity, and in particular, risk mitigating instruments like guarantees.
• Experience in water and sanitation is a strong advantage.
• Experience of Multi-lateral development banks (or similar financing institutions) and their operations in terms of project development and implementation process (project identification, preparation, appraisal, supervision).
• Proven knowledge of the major challenges relating to mobilizing and applying infrastructure investments in in Africa.
• Understanding of the institutional/enabling environment for water sector investments; experience in preparing and implementing institutional reform, capacity development and transfer of knowledge.
• Demonstrated experience with organizing and facilitating knowledge sharing, marketing or promotional events is an advantage.
• Innovation and creativity
• Problem solving
• Client orientation and responsiveness
• Team player and diverse environment
• Flexibility and adaptability
• Communication and influencing
• Analytical skills
• Ability to assume leadership and drive change
• Ability to communicate effectively (written and oral) in English or French. A working knowledge of the other will be an asset.
• Competence in the use of the standard Microsoft software applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and SAP.

Application Closing Date
12th December, 2018.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note: The african development bank (AFDB) on behalf of the african water facility (AWF) which is the employer for this position posts this advertisement. engagement as staff of AWF does not offer any expectation for future employment as staff in the afdb.