Division Manager Power Utilities – AfDB Full Time

THE POSITION:

The Manager leads a team of experts that collectively have overall responsibility for providing deep sectoral expertise in reforming utilities, enhancing operational performance through loss reduction and increased efficiency, and promoting on-grid transmission, distribution and access programmes.

Duties and responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Director Power Systems development, the incumbent will perform the following:

1. Coordinate the delivery of flagships as relevant to ensure delivery of the New Deal on Energy objectives;
2. Ensure the Division provides advisory support to Regional Member Countries and Task Managers in preparation and implementation of complex and innovative projects aiming at reforming utilities and enhancing / benchmarking management performance through transmission / distribution network rehabilitation and expansion, and loss reductions and increased efficiency;
3. Ensure that the Division takes a leadership role, along with Hub-based staff, in the process of identification, preparation and execution of operations related to the transformation of utilities, including last mile access programmes;
4. Lead, in conjunction with other teams, all operations (investment plan support, technical assistance) to support transformation;
5. Coordinate with the Hubs and governance units in conducting policy / result based operations and technical assistance to support utility reforms and private sector participation;
6. Ensure the Division provides deep sector expertise for quality assurance: preparation of terms of reference, review and validation process of feasibility studies and utility performance diagnostic;
7. Ensure timely review and quality assurance of project preparation, appraisal and supervision documents vis-à-vis technical, financial and economic requirements;
8. with Energy Solutions 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);
9. Ensure delivery of economic and sector work related to utility performance benchmarking in collaboration with other directorates of the complex;
10. Undertake any other tasks the Vice President or Director may assign.

Selection Criteria

1. Hold at least a Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering or related disciplines.
2. Have a minimum of 8 years of experience (including 3 years management experience) in utilities or in the power sector including utility turn around exposure;
3. Having Private sector experience will be an added advantage;
4. Experience working across multiple institutions and ensuring collaboration across public, private, and civil society sectors is essential.
5. Experience in a combination of the following areas will be essential: Regional integration, infrastructure development and policy; public-private sector partnerships; and/or regulatory specialization along with experience of working on Management Contracts, Concession Agreements;
6. Ability to innovate and create approaches to activities in order to enhance performance;
7. Ability to communicate effectively and mobilize key actors to delivery (private sector, public sector and civil society);
8. Proven ability to build multi-organization partnerships to manage complex objectives and
9. achieve sustainable policy and regulatory environment across Africa;
10. Proven ability to build and direct a high performing team to achieve visionary and challenging goals;
11. 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;
12. Highly developed negotiation skills proven to yield positive outcomes with counterparts,
13. both internal and external;
14. Ability to listen and communicate effectively with oversight bodies such as multi-national
15. Boards of Executive Directors and Governors and other senior officials;
16. Clear understanding of the drivers and barriers to success of power utilities in complex regulatory, political environments;
17. Deep knowledge of integrated least-cost national / utility power system planning and network development process and tools utilized in Africa; and familiarity with the work of multilateral Development Finance Institutions;
18. Deep knowledge of utility Quality of Supply and Service Standards; and related performance management systems;
19. Excellent project management and contract administration skills;
20. Ability to draft Terms of reference (TORs), Requests for quotation (RFQs) and Requests for Proposals (RFPs) to procure services from consultants;
21. Deep 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);
22. 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.
23. A good understanding of SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) and asset management systems;
24. A good understanding of the Bank’s Environmental & Social policy requirements;
25. Deep knowledge of utility governance, regulation, operations, maintenance and management, client relationship, billing, financial management of utilities;
26. 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;
27. Experience of forging and managing strategic partnerships with local organizations, governments and financing institutions;
28. Excellent spoken and written English or French, with a working knowledge of the other language;
29. Competence in the use of standard Microsoft Office Suite applications;
30. Ability/willingness to quickly become familiar with the use of various tools available and applied by the Bank such as SAP.

Tagged as: AFDB, Energy, Power