NEPAD-IPPF Special Fund Coordinator - PICU3 at African Development Bank - AfDB

Position Number: 50067458
Position Grade: PL4

The Complex

• The Vice-Presidency for Private Sector, Infrastructure and Industrialization is central to the Bank’s mission of developing the private sector, improving infrastructure and accelerating industrialization.
• The complex’s main functions are to (i) strengthen the enabling environment for private sector and financial sector development conducive to inclusive growth and sustainable development, (ii) support the development of reliable and sustainable infrastructure, including cities and urban development, and (iii) place renewed emphasis on industrial and trade performance in support of structural transformation across Africa.
• The Complex leverages knowledge, co-financing, and partnerships to attract private capital and work with governments on delivering the Bank’s development agenda, as well as provides financing of specific operations, be they loans or equity investments

The Hiring Department

• The role of the Infrastructure and Urban Development Department is to foster advancement of infrastructure and urban development in Africa.
• The Department provides assistance to the Bank Regional Member Countries (RMCs) in the form of sovereign and non-sovereign loans and grants to finance transport infrastructure and urban development projects and programs.
• The Department also undertakes analytical and advisory activities to underpin lending programs and support policy dialogue with RMCs to formulate and implement infrastructure and urban development sector reforms ensuring that best practices are mainstreamed in policy, planning, programming, institutional governance, and maintenance and operation.

The Hiring Division

• The Infrastructure Partnerships Division (PICU3) is one of the Divisions within the Infrastructure and Urban Development Department (PICU) in the Private Sector, Infrastructure and Industrialization vice presidency (PIVP) of the Bank.
• The Division is responsible for supporting the development of regional infrastructure in the transport, energy, ICT and Water sectors, to promote regional integration in Africa. In addition, the Division hosts the secretariat of the Infrastructure Consortium for Africa (ICA), manages the NEPAD Infrastructure Project Preparation Facility (NEPAD-IPPF), and is leading development of the Bank’s Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) strategic framework and Transaction Advisory Services Support to Regional Member Countries (RMCs).
• The NEPAD Infrastructure Project Preparation Facility (NEPAD-IPPF) is a multi-donor Special Fund established by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and donor partners following the 2002 G8 Summit to support the preparation of regional infrastructure projects across Africa. Initially a bilateral fund, it transformed into a multi-donor Trust Fund in 2005 with contributions from Germany, Denmark, Norway, the United Kingdom, and Spain. Hosted and managed by the AfDB (which is also a Donor to the Facility), the NEPAD-IPPF is governed by an Oversight Committee (OC) that provides policy direction and ensures the Fund's activities align with its mandate.
• The Fund aims to enhance regional economic development and integration by pooling donor resources to prepare high-quality, viable infrastructure projects in sectors like energy, transport, water resources management, and ICT. It also strengthens the capacity of African countries, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and Specialized Institutions (SIs) to attract investments for infrastructure projects, positioning itself as a leading project preparation facility in Africa.

The Position

• The NEPAD-IPPF Coordinator, reporting to the PICU3 Division Manager, holds the primary responsibility for ensuring the successful delivery of NEPAD-IPPF goals.
• He/She will drive the strategy, operations, and governance of the NEPAD-IPPF.
• This position requires the coordinator to acquire and maintain the technical expertise necessary to perform effectively, as well as a deep understanding of NEPAD-IPPF, the AfDB, its operations, and the broader environment in which it functions.

Key Functions
Under the direct supervision of the Division Manager PICU3 and general guidance of the Director of PICU, the NEPAD-IPPF Coordinator will perform the following duties and responsibilities:

• Coordinate the operational, administrative and institutional activities of the NEPAD-IPPF
• Lead the development, implementation, and periodic updates of NEPAD-IPPF's five-year strategic business plans, ensuring alignment with the Fund's long-term goals and the guidance of the Oversight Committee.
• Ensure the NEPAD-IPPF operates within the governance framework set by the Oversight Committee (OC), ensuring transparency, accountability, and compliance with AfDB and donor requirements.
• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the NEPAD-IPPF, including the management of resources, project pipeline development, and grant disbursement.
• Manage the Fund’s project preparation activities, ensuring the delivery of high-quality projects that are ready to attract public and private investment.
• Coordinate with African countries, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and Specialized Institutions (SIs) to build their capacity in infrastructure project preparation.
• Ensure an efficient liaison and communication on NEPAD-IPPF activities with other relevant Bank departments, Donors, Partners, RECs, RMCs, and the Private Sector.
• Prepare and submit to the Fund’s Oversight Committee, for clearance, and to the Board of Directors, for information/approval all necessary reports of activities financed by the NEPAD-IPPF, including the annual report, mid-year report, work programs, etc.
• Organize and coordinate the statutory Oversight Committee meetings and any other meetings of the Fund
• Coordinate NEPAD-IPPF Bank's engagement with key regional and global institutions (African Union Commission - AUC; African Union Development Agency – AUDA-NEPAD; etc.), donor partners, Regional Economic Communities, and other key stakeholders.
• Liaise with continental pan African institutions and Regional Economic Communities (RECs) on their priority programmes and projects for which assistance is sought from the NEPAD-IPPF and makes recommendations to management on possible support and interventions. Undertake consultation and advisory missions to regional and continental institutions and regional member countries for dialogue as necessary.
• Represent NEPAD-IPPF in high-level meetings, forums, and conferences, promoting the Facility’s role in Africa’s infrastructure development.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with current and potential donors, ensuring continued support and funding for the NEPAD-IPPF.
• Lead efforts to mobilize additional resources to enhance the capacity of NEPAD-IPPF in project preparation.
• Mobilize new donors interest and contribution into NEPAD-IPPF and ensure the Fund’s sustainability
• Ensure and assist project promoters in reaching financial closure for viable projects funded by NEPAD-IPPF.
• Identify opportunities and develop strategies to attract institutional investors and private sector participation in NEPAD-IPPF activities and projects.
• Leverage partnerships among Project Preparatory Facilities (PPFs) to accelerate infrastructure development in Africa including participation in the Project Preparation Facilities Network (PPFN).
• Provide technical guidance and support to project promoters to ensure that infrastructure projects are of the highest quality and viability.
• Help to develop and manage recipients’ projects/studies from the idea to the projects/Studies to completion report.
• Conceive, develop and promote innovations in Bank infrastructure development policies, project design, preparation and structuring to improve Bank project and sector work.
• Maintain and continuously develop technical knowledge in infrastructure project preparation, financing, and sector-specific developments.
• Stay abreast of current trends and best practices in infrastructure project preparation and ensure effective knowledge sharing within the Bank.
• Regularly prepare and deliver various high-level reports, including strategic briefs, talking points, mission reports, back-to-office reports, and briefing notes to inform management and guide Bank interventions on strategic infrastructure initiatives.
• Ensure the visibility of the Fund is kept very high, up to date and well recognized
• Assist in other projects or strategy related activities of the Department/Division as the need may arise.

Competencies (Skills, Experience, and Knowledge)

• Hold at least a Master’s Degree in Engineering, Economics, Finance, Business Administration, Politics & International Relations, Law, Public Policy, Development Finance or a related discipline.
• Have a minimum of six (6) years of relevant experience in Fund’s management (similar funds would be an advantage), regional infrastructure project preparation and implementation, infrastructure development and finance, project finance, regional infrastructure strategy development,
• Strong infrastructure project management experience in a DFIs/MDBs context with tangible results
• Strong and demonstrable experience in building partnerships, working directly with donors and managing investors relations.
• Successful experience in mobilizing funding from donors to support development activities
• Verifiable experience working in a Development Finance Institution, consulting, investment bank or international development agency will be an added advantage.
• Strong project management skills and competence and good understanding of project development cycle
• Robust analytical skills and the ability to write high quality technical reports to management and donors.
• Experience in dealing with Committees, Oversight Committees of Funds
• Ability to deal with sensitive issues in the workplace in a multi-cultural environment and to build effective working relations with colleagues.
• Strong leadership skills, including the ability to mentor, coach and work effectively as a team leader.
• Take initiative to improve policies/programmes and products to maximise efficiency.
• Engage, support and motivate others to implement efficient ways of doing things.
• Delivers quality initiatives to enhance team performance.
• Excellent spoken and written English or French, with a working knowledge of the other language.
• Competence in the use of Bank standard software (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint). Knowledge of SAP is desirable.