JBC BLOG & NETWORK: Principal Power Engineer at the African Development Bank Group (AfDB)

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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: Principal Power Engineer, PESD2

Reference: ADB/19/206

Location: Abidjan, Cote D'ivoire

Grade: PL4

Position N°: 50067364

The Complex

The Vice Presidency for ‘Power, Energy, Climate and Green Growth’ is a Sector Complex focusing on the Bank’s Ten-Year Strategy and High 5s priority of “Light up and Power Africa”
The complex’s objectives are:
- To develop policy and strategy;
- Provide deep sector technical expertise to the Regions by gathering a pool of experienced individuals who can be consulted for their expertise on complicated transactions;
- Develop new financing instruments;
- Act as spoke person to represent the Bank with external stakeholders on all aspects of “Light Up and Power Africa”.
The Complex will focus on areas of power systems, policy and regulation, renewable energy; and, climate and green growth.

The Hiring Department/Division

Within this new Complex, there is a Directorate in charge of Power Systems Development
This Directorate includes the “Power Utilities” Division, which supports the Bank’s Regional Member Countries and their Utilities, Regional Economic Communities, Power Pools, Regulators and other stakeholders to develop and improve their power systems both for sovereign (SO) and non-sovereign operations (NSO).

The Position

The Principal Power Engineer will be responsible for the technical design, appraisal and supervision of the Bank’s projects / programs in the support of transactions linked to lending and non-lending operations involving public and private sector investments in the electricity sector
S/he will provide deep sectoral expertise related to the planning, technical structuring, financing and implementation of power and utility reform projects / programs across the project cycle and power value chain (i.e. fuel supply, power generation, transmission and distribution / retail)
This will involve the entire gamut of reforms (i.e. management contracts to full divestiture) to enhance and facilitate sustainable utility transformation (to profitability), performance benchmarking / knowledge sharing and provision of quality advisory services, required for successful sector reforms and restructuring of utilities
S/he will work in multi-disciplinary teams and contribute to the delivery of the New Deal on Energy for Africa / High 5 flagships as required.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Manager, Power Utilities, the incumbent will perform the following:

Coordinate the delivery of flagships as relevant, to ensure delivery of the New Deal on Energy for Africa (e.g. increasing electricity access);
Provide advisory support to Regional Member Countries and Task Managers in the preparation, screening and implementation of complex and innovative projects aimed at reforming utilities and improving performance (benchmarking leadership as Task Manager, along with Hub-based staff, in the process of identification, preparation and execution of operations related to the transformation of utilities, including asset rehabilitation / expansion, system loss reduction and last mile access programmes;
Lead, in conjunction with other teams, Bank power sector business development and operations to support transformation, including human capacity building and smart partnerships;
Coordinate with the Hubs and Bank governance units in conducting policy dialogue, result based operations and provision of technical assistance to support utility reforms / transformation, and increased private sector participation;
Provide deep sector expertise for technical quality assurance: This includes preparation of terms of reference, review and validation process of feasibility studies, and utility performance diagnostics;
Ensure timely review and quality assurance of project preparation, appraisal and supervision documents vis-à-vis technical, financial, environmental, social and economic requirements; with other PEVP Divisions on relevant policy and regulatory matters and the structuring and financial analysis of complex / innovative projects, especially those involving private sector participation (e.g. streamlining / standardization of project and transaction documentation, and financing instruments);
Support delivery of Economic and Sector Work related to utility performance benchmarking, in collaboration with other directorates of the complex, utilities and strategic partners;
Undertake any other tasks the Director or Division Manager may assign.

Selection Criteria

Hold at least a Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering or related disciplines
Have a minimum of six (6) years of experience in utilities or in the power sectors, including utility reform and turn around exposure;
Private sector experience will be an added advantage;
Experience working across multiple institutions and ensuring effective collaboration with power sector stakeholders is essential.
Experience in a combination of the following areas will be essential: Utility Management, power generation and/or transmission and/or distribution / retail; IPPs / PPPs; and/or power sector reforms (with experience of working on Management Contracts, Concession Agreements and/or Divestiture transactions).
Ability to innovate and create new approaches in order to enhance performance;
Ability to communicate effectively and mobilize key actors for efficient and effective delivery (private sector, public sector and civil society);
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;
Highly developed negotiation skills proven to yield positive outcomes with counterparts, both internal and external;
Clear understanding of the drivers and barriers to success of power utilities in complex regulatory, socio-economic and political environments;
Deep knowledge of integrated least-cost national / utility power system planning, and network development processes and tools utilized in Africa; and familiarity with the work of multilateral Development Finance Institutions;
Deep knowledge of utility Quality of Supply and Service Standards; and related performance management systems; project management and contract administration skills;
Ability to draft Terms of reference (TORs), Requests for quotation (RFQs) and Requests for Proposals (RFPs) to procure services from consultants;
Good knowledge of national power / utility regulation, procurement and contracting models and standards; and grid code / operating rules / limits / reserves (including power import, export, wheeling and trading);
A good understanding of, and ability to lead / support negotiation of, power project agreements such as Power Purchase Agreements, Grid Connection Agreements, Fuel Supply Agreements, Engineering, Procurement & Construction (EPC) Contracts, Operations & Maintenance (O&M) Contracts, Long Term Service Agreements (LTSA) and familiarity with the work of Development Finance Institutions.
A good understanding of SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) and asset management systems;
A good understanding of the Bank’s Environmental & Social policy requirements;
Good knowledge of utility governance, regulation, operations, maintenance and management, client relationship, billing, financial management of utilities;
Highly developed strategic thinking skills allied to an ability to translate strategic concepts and direction into the implementation of workable and sustainable policies and regulations;
Ability/willingness to quickly become familiar with the use of various tools available and applied by the Bank such as SAP.
Spoken and written English or French, with a working knowledge of the other language;
Competence in the use of standard Microsoft Office Suite applications
A good working knowledge of the other language
Competence in the use of standard Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, SAP and/or other integrated document management system).