Chief Utility Management Officer at African Development Bank - AfDB

Reference: ADB/17/460/2
Location: Côte d’Ivoire
Grade: PL3
Position N°: 50093513

Complex

• The Vice-Presidency for “Power, Energy, Climate and Green Growth” is a Sector Complex focusing on the Bank's Ten-Year Strategy and the first High 5 priority “Light up and Power Africa”. 
• The objectives of the Complex are to: (i) develop policy and strategy; (ii) 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; (iii) develop new financing instruments; and (iv) act as spokesperson to represent the Bank with external stakeholders on all aspects of 'Light Up and Power Africa'.
• The Complex will focus on 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, Utilities, Regional Economic Communities, Power Pools, Regulators and other stakeholders to develop and improve their power systems for both sovereign (SO) and non-sovereign operations (NSO).O).

The Position

• The Chief Utility Management Officer will provide in-depth sector expertise in the reform of electric utilities, improving technical, operational, commercial and financial performance, as well as compliance with applicable laws, regulations and performance standards.
• He/she will provide specific expertise in benchmarking, capacity building and the adoption of modern system planning tools and equipment to improve the performance of electricity utilities, including by drafting and negotiating relevant project and transaction documents.
• He/she will contribute to implementing relevant flagship programmes (transformation of public services and acceleration of last-mile access programmes).

Duties and Responsibilities
Under the general supervision of the Manager, Electrical Utility Services, the incumbent shall perform the following duties:

• Contribute to implementing relevant flagship projects to achieve the objectives of the New Energy Compact;
• Provide advisory support to regional member countries, regional economic communities and project leaders in the preparation and implementation of complex and innovative projects aimed at reforming electricity utilities and improving their performance and efficiency through strategic sub-contracting, improved integrated planning, asset management, reduction of commercial, technical and recovery losses, application of new and innovative technologies and a capacity building programme (training workshops);
• Collaborate with regional platforms and governance units to implement policies based on operations and the provision of complementary technical assistance programmes to support public service reforms and private-sector participation, including in the design, drafting, negotiation and execution of performance-based management/concession contracts;
• Maintain dialogue with regional platform teams in the process of identifying, preparing and executing operations related to the transformation of power utilities, including network rehabilitation, modernization and expansion projects; customer audits/meter verification and last-mile access programmes;
• Provide in-depth sector expertise to ensure quality assurance and innovation: develop the terms of reference and relevant documents for consultant service procurement; review and validate feasibility and diagnostic performance studies of power utilities with particular emphasis on benchmarking the performance of power utilities in RMCs;
• Ensure timely review and quality assurance of project preparation and appraisal documents in line with technical, financial, economic, environmental and social requirements;
• Collaborate with relevant staff in the Bank complexes/departments, RMCs, DFIs and key stakeholders to develop innovative technical and financing solutions to key issues (price-reflective rates and smart subsidies), as well as in mobilizing resources to improve the performance of electric utilities;
• Carry out economic and sector-based activities related to the performance of power utilities in collaboration with the departments of the complex and within the Bank.
• Represent the Bank in national and regional partnerships, networks, conferences, workshops and training seminars on issues related to the management of power utilities and electricity sector development/reform and other related issues.

Selection Criteria
Including desirable skills, knowledge and experience:

• Hold at least a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Economics, Business Administration or related disciplines;
• Have at least seven (7) years of relevant professional experience in the management of power utilities, including transmission and/or distribution and project development in the electrical sector;
• Experience gained in various institutions and collaboration between actors in energy sector reform is essential;
• Private-sector experience would be an added advantage;
• Possess the proven ability to handle power utility management issues and propose solutions;
• Possess a good understanding of the electricity sector value chain and project cycle as well as options for reform;
• Demonstrate the ability to collaborate well with government officials and donor agencies on issues related to aid coordination, project identification and implementation, and opportunities for private sector involvement;
• Demonstrate ability to build and lead a team of professional staff, and to leverage their talent and expertise productively;
• Possess the ability to introduce and manage innovations and changes to concretely improve the performance of power utilities;
• Possess a clear understanding of success factors and barriers to the success of power utilities in complex regulatory, technical, social and political environments;
• Possess a thorough knowledge of the quality of service standards applicable to power utilities and related performance management systems;
• Possess sound knowledge of the governance, regulation, operations, maintenance and administration of power utilities, customer relations, billing, financial management policies and procedures of these services;
• Possess the ability to communicate effectively and to mobilize key players to achieve the objectives set (customers of electric utilities, private sector, public sector and civil society);
• Demonstrate interpersonal skills, which means being able to work in a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic environment, showing sensitivity and respect for diversity while demonstrating the ability to build trust and mentor various team members;
• Ability to write terms of reference, RFQs and requests for proposals to procure consulting services;
• Possess a sound knowledge of the national regulations in the electricity sector, procurement models, contract management and standards as well as network code, operating rules, thresholds and reserves (especially concerning the import, export, transmission and trading of electricity);
• Possess a sound understanding of the Bank's environmental and social policy requirements;
• Demonstrate sound skills in strategic thinking and the ability to translate concepts and strategic directions into the implementation of viable and sustainable projects/programmes;
• Possess excellent oral and written communication skills in French or English, with a good working knowledge of the other language.
• Possess sound knowledge of standard applications of the Microsoft Office Suite; knowledge of SAP would be an advantage.