Junior Investment Consultant - PIVP (EOI) at the African Development Bank Group (AfDB)

African Development Bank Group (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: Expression of Interest (EOI) for Junior Investment Consultant - PIVP

Location: Remote
Consultant type: Junior Consultant

Background

• The Development Finance Compact for Portuguese-Speaking Countries of Africa (“Lusophone Compact” or “LC”) initiative was launched in November 2018, after signing the Memoranda of Understanding by the African Development Bank (AfDB), Portugal, and the six Portuguese-speaking Countries of Africa (PALOP), namely, Angola, Cabo-Verde, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, and São Tomé and Príncipe.
• The main objective of the Lusophone Compact is to accelerate the inclusive, sustainable, and diversified growth of the private sector in the PALOPs to improve people’s living conditions and social progress.
• The six PALOPs are diverse in location, size, per capita income, and other factors. However, they have in common three essential attributes:
  • The Portuguese language
  • Historical, cultural, and economic ties to Portugal and between each other
  • Significant opportunities in private sector development and diversification
• The Lusophone Compact provides a strategic development framework for diversified private sector-led growth in the PALOPs by crowding in private sector-driven investments targeting transformative investment opportunities.
• The design of the initiative emphasizes the need to deepen economic cooperation within the PALOPs while simultaneously strengthening their integration within their respective geographic blocs and linkage to intra-regional and international markets.
• The Lusophone Compact is established on three anchors, which provides the basis for the country-specific investment compacts:
  • Risk mitigation instruments (e.g., guarantees) to unlock investments
  • Financing for Investments and equity participation in the private sector and PPP projects in the PALOPs, recognizing the specific attributes of those projects in terms of size, sector, development impact
  • Technical Assistance related to the specific private sector and PPP bottlenecks on a project, sector, and economy-wide basis, including project preparation, which has been identified in all PALOPs as a significant obstacle to reaching “bankability.” This pillar also includes private sector-enabling policy reforms that remove longer-term impediments to the growth and diversification of private investment and PPPs.
• The Lusophone Compact has nine (9) members and partners: The African Development Bank (AfDB), International Finance Corporation (IFC), Portugal, Angola, Cabo-Verde, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Mozambique, and São Tomé and Príncipe.
• The Lusophone Compact is governed by a Steering Committee, chaired by the AfDB, responsible for providing strategic guidance and oversight of the activities conducted and enunciated in the Annual Work Program.
• On the other hand, the Standing Committee oversees the overall implementation activities of the Compact.

Assignment Description

• This assignment aims to support the Lusophone Compact Secretariat in implementing Investment and Technical Assistance targets of the annual work program.
• The key objectives and responsibilities of the Junior Consultant position are to identify business opportunities, support non-sovereign operations teams in executing transactions, and actively manage Lusophone Compact portfolio projects.
• The overall goal is to maximize the AfDB intervention's impact and contribute to the private sector development in the Lusophone Compact countries members by executing innovative, developmental, and profitable investments for AfDB and Lusophone Compact stakeholders.

About the Job

• Under the general supervision of the Lusophone Compact Coordinator, the Junior Consultant will provide the following services under the Assignment:
  • Support pipeline development of the LC;
  • Support investment officers in providing advisory support to advance investment projects;
  • Project screening and assessment, including preparation of project evaluation notes
  • Support resource mobilization and partnership activities
  • Project structuring;
  • Stakeholders’ engagement,
  • Any other duties as may be assigned by the Coordinator.
• More details on the services are outlined in the annex under “key areas of responsibility in section 3 of the terms of reference (ToR).
• The Bank now invites eligible Individual Consultants to express their interest in providing consulting services with regards to the performance and completion of the Proposed Assignment.
• Interested Consultants shall provide information on their qualifications, experience demonstrating their ability to provide the services, as well as a proposed list of activities under the work program over an estimated timeline, their understanding of the assignment and the proposed way to approach the assignment (documentation, references for similar services, experience in comparable assignments, etc.).
• The eligibility criteria, establishment of the short-list and the selection procedure shall be in accordance with the Bank’s “Policy and Procedures for the use of Consultants”.. Please note that interest expressed by an Individual Consultant does not imply any obligation on the part of the Bank to include the Consultant in the shortlist.

Key Areas of Responsibilities

• Develop a strong pipeline of viable investments and technical assistance opportunities in PALOPs, ensuring assessment of investment opportunities using the Bank’s assessment tools and criteria, including the Lusophone Compact Guarantee.
• Carry out detailed analytical work in assessing and justifying selected investment opportunities with critical emphasis on credit quality, financial and economic viability, development impact, structural economic contribution, and exploiting new economic growth poles.
• Advise on the appropriate financial structure of transactions in various PALOPs. Participate in negotiations with sector investment officers to explore novel and pragmatic solutions to overcome transaction challenges.
• Perform due diligence on transactions, and sponsors, ensure all required documentation are in place and produce and submit Project Notes for Lusophone Compact Secretariat’s consideration.
• Identify and maintain relationships with all classes of Lusophone Investors – Development Financial Institutions, Institutional investors - pension funds, insurance, sovereign wealth fund, commercial banks, private equity funds, governments, service providers, developers, etc.
• Identify and maintain relationships with the Economic Attaché or other party in the Portuguese Embassies in PALOP countries, who are responsible for facilitating Portuguese exports, services, and investments in PALOP countries.
• Work with legal officers to ensure that all transactions have appropriate legal documentation and execute mandates.
• Work with the Africa Investment Forum (AIF) team to prepare projects for Lusophone Compact Boardroom sessions during the annual AIF market days.
• Provide support to other duties as assigned by the Coordinator.

Responsibilities of the Consultant

• The Consultant shall perform the Services with all due care, diligence, and efficiency, in accordance with the highest standards of professional competence and skill and shall, in performing the Services, accept, promptly act upon, and comply with, such instructions and directions as may be issued by the Bank from time to time.
• The consultant shall have the overall responsibility for the timely delivery of the various assignments as described above and further prioritized in a work plan agreed with his/her supervisor.
• He/she shall be responsible for the collection and analysis of all information necessary for the achievement of the assignments.

Location of Assignment:

• The assignment will be conducted remotely with travel across Portuguese-Speaking countries.

Reporting Obligations:

• The consultant will report to the Lusophone Compact Interim Coordinator

Qualifications and Experience

• Master's Degree in Economics, Finance, Accounting, Entrepreneurship, Management, MBA, or related fields with a minimum of 2 of relevant experience and a maximum of 4 years.
• The ideal candidates must have at least 2 to 3 years of similar experience as an Investment Officer or Financial Analyst, preferably in sourcing, structuring, and closing investments, experience in the PALOPs.
• Has less than 32 years age.
• Strong financial, and credit analysis skills; demonstrated ability to structure a variety of financial instruments (debt and equity).
• Strong experience in engaging public and private sector stakeholders across sectors
• Strong interpersonal skills, ability to interact effectively with clients and colleagues from various cultural backgrounds.
• Strong understanding of gender issues, climate change, trade, access to finance, and job creation.
• Working experience in a multinational organization in Africa or specialized knowledge in similar organization/s would be considered an advantage.
• Excellent analytical, writing, and presentation skills.
• Excellent problem-solving capabilities apply business knowledge to the resolution of problems and identify solutions to the benefit of the client (internal and external) and the organization.
• Excellent organizational, administrative, and time management skills.
• Proven ability to work with limited supervision, deliver under pressure and meet tight deadlines
• Willingness to travel extensively.
• Fluent in English and Portuguese with high proficiency in other languages (French or Spanish), a plus.

A shortlisted of three to six individual consultants will be established at the end of the request of expression of interest. The consultants on the shortlist will be judged on the following criteria on a basis of their updated resume.

Duration

• The estimated duration of services is six (6) months with a possibility of extension and the estimated starting date is February 13, 2023.

Remuneration

• The consultant will receive a monthly lump sum rate based on his/her experience. No additional benefits or per diem will be paid.
• The individual consultant is responsible for his/her own health insurance and own accommodation costs

Application Closing Date
3rd February, 2023 at 17:00 GMT

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should submit their Express of Interest to "Ms. Neima Ferreira, Lusophone Compact Interim Coordinator" via: [email protected] with copy to "Ms. Osana Leal, Program Management Officer" via: [email protected] and [email protected] using “Expression of Interest – Junior Investment Consultant” as the subject of the email.

Click here for more information

Click here for the Job Description (PDF)

Note: Interested candidates may obtain further information from the email addresses above during office hours: 09:00 – 17:00 GMT