Principal Power Engineer at African Development Bank

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;