Coordination Consultant - Operationalisation of the Africa Urban Sanitation Investment Initiative (AUSII) at 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: Expressions of Interest for Individual Consultants - Coordination Consultant for Operationalisation of the Africa Urban Sanitation Investment Initiative (AUSII)

Location: Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
Consultant type: Individual Consultant

Background and Rationale
The Complex:

• The Agriculture, Human and Social Development Complex (AHVP) leads in implementing two of the five priority areas “High 5s”, namely: “Feed Africa” and “Improve the Quality of Life for Africans”.
• The Complex comprises five departments: (i) Agriculture and Agro-Industry Development; (ii) Agriculture Finance and Rural Development; (iii) Gender, Women and Civil Society; (iv) Water Development and Sanitation; and (v) Human Capital, Youth and Skills Development.

The hiring Department / Unit:

• The Water Development and Sanitation Department (AHWS) is responsible for the coordination of the Bank’s water development and sanitation-related activities to enhance synergies and contribute to achievement of all High 5s.
• The Department leads the Bank’s support for Africa’s economic transformation through the identification and promotion of sustainable and integrated solutions across the water and sanitation value chain. AHWS supports regional hubs offices in the development and promotion of new knowledge, approaches and tools for green and inclusive water resources development and management, and improved sanitation. The African Water Facility (AWF) is housed under AHWS.
• The African Water Facility (AWF) is an initiative of the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW) conceived to mobilize resources to finance water sector development and investment activities in Africa. Since its operationalization in 2006, the AWF has developed at portfolio of at least 133 projects in 52 countries. 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. AWF provides resources for strategic and small-scale investments while preparing projects and programs for immediate capital investments. The Africa Urban Sanitation Investment Initiative (AUSII) is a new financing window within AWF.
• The Africa Urban Sanitation Investment Initiative (AUSII) is an initiative of AfDB with support of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF). The conceptualization of the fund, its areas of focus, operational procedures, financial instruments, and business plan are being finalized. The fund will be hosted and operated as a window within the African Water Facility.
• The objective of AUSII is to increase investment flow to the urban sanitation sub-sector in Africa. AUSII seeks to create scale and impact in urban sanitation development through leadership and support. AUSII will position itself between service providers and governments on the one hand, and commercial and development finance institutions on the other, to facilitate the alignment of sanitation activities with financing options.
• The AUSII will enhance the credibility and preparedness of service providers and governments, helping them deliver bankable propositions to the financial institutions. AUSII is aligned with the AWF’s revised strategy (2017-2025), which is in tandem with Africa Water Vision (AWV) 2025. The AUSII will contribute to the efforts of African governments to meet the targets of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for water and sanitation. The strategic pillars of AUSII are:
• i) Preparation of citywide inclusive sanitation (CWIS) focused sanitation projects and programmes that will attract follow-on investments, and piloting innovative technologies and approaches that may lead to widespread adoption.
  • Catalytic Investments to diffuse innovation and provide evidence for private stakeholders to invest, whilst leveraging resources for sanitation projects and programmes.
  • Investment Promotion to increase the number of public and private investment opportunities in the urban sanitation sub-sector and to mobilize higher levels of financing for projects, particularly from the private sector.
• In this regard, the AWF/AfDB is procuring a Coordination (Individual) Consultant to support the establishment and operationalisation of the AUSII.

Objective and Scope

• The key objective of the Assignment is to coordinate the AWF’s activities to finalise the establishment and operationalisation of the Africa Urban Sanitation Investment Initiative (AUSII).

The Consultant’s responsibilities will be the following:

• Coordinate the finalization and operationalization of AUSII documents – including the AUSII HighLevel Business Plan, Fund Manager ToR, and the 2-year AUSII work plan and budget, etc.
• Coordinate the support and input of relevant Bank Departments to finalise the approval process for rolling out AUSII as a new window within the AWF.
• Coordinate the overall operationalization of the AUSII window within the AWF.
• Assist in finalising the AUSII Operational Procedures and coordinate implementation of the Procedures.
• Coordinate the launch of AUSII to partners and clients. This will include contacting the relevant stakeholders, preparing the appropriate letters, management briefings, presentations, and other background material.
• Represent the AWF when required and liaise closely with relevant stakeholders to coordinate AUSII’sinternational and regional outreach. This includes supporting the AUSII engagement with donors, international and regional partners.
• Lead and coordinate the development of the AUSII project pipeline and funding proposals.
• Support the preparation of ToRs and recruitment of key staff for the AUSII Fund Manager.
• Support implementation of the AUSII Resource Mobilization Strategy – including providing background supports in preparation/ updates of marketing materials/ supporting documents
• Lead preparations for AUSII investment fora – including liaising with the relevant Bank departments, host country, and preparing the relevant letters, briefings, and other relevant material.
• Any other tasks that may be required by the AWF management to operationalise and manage AUSII.
• Coordinate Bank’s/ AWF’s internal capacity building for the AUSII operations
• Provide technical inputs/ coordinate the receipt of technical inputs in selection of AUSII’s geographical focus among the RMCs
• Coordinate with the established AUSII’s country focal persons in planning and rolling out AUSIF’s operations.

Experience and Skills
The suitable candidate will be a high calibre individual with the following qualifications and experience:

• At least a Master's Degree in Water / Sanitary Engineering, Economics and/or Finance, International Development, Business Administration, or other related fields.
• A minimum of 12 years of relevant professional experience working in or within the international development space with a strong understanding of the water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) sector –including the latest global trends. Priority will be given to candidates with many years of practical experience in sanitation in developing countries.
• Demonstrate knowledge of multi-lateral development finance institutions (DFIs) procedures and client engagement.
• Experience in establishing and/or managing a thematic trust fund for a bilateral/multi-lateral donor.
• Extensive experience interacting with bilateral and multilateral donors, as well as non-traditional donors such as private corporations, non-profits.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills in English and/or French, with a working knowledge of the other language.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team and a multi-cultural environment.
• Competence in the use of the standard Microsoft software applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).

Accountability

• The Consultant shall work under the overall supervision of the AWF Coordinator, in coordination with the AHWS department Front Office and other parties involved in the operationalisation of AUSII (AWF personnel, the AHWS in general, the AHVP Complex and Front Office, and other relevant departments of the Bank).
• He/She shall be subject to the administrative requirements for consultants of the African Development Bank.

Time Frame and Duty Station:

• The consultancy will commence in May 2023 for 12 months with the possibility of renewal.
• The consultancy is based at the AfDB Headquarters in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire.

Reporting and Remuneration

• The successful candidate will submit monthly progress reports based on an agreed-to workplan. Monthly remuneration will be linked to the delivery of the workplan and clearance of the progress report by the AWF Coordinator.
• The remuneration will be competitive and based on the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate, subject to negotiation in compliance with the Bank’s guidelines on consultant renumeration.
• The Bank will cover full costs of any required missions and provide per-diem in accordance with rules governing consultants' mission travel. No additional benefits will be paid while in Abidjan. The Consultant is responsible for his/her own health insurance and accommodation costs.

Application Closing Date
7th April, 2023 at 5.00pm.