Senior Officer, Green Investment & Project Development

PURPOSE            

• Provide financial know-how through advice and substantive inputs in areas including energy efficiency, Agriculture, Forestry, solid waste management and sanitation;
• Design financial structures and instruments which can meet risk-reward expectations of investors and enable capital flows into the sectors related to the AU-GRAP Program
• Support scaling up national level financial institutions.
• Develop green bankable projects, identify pipelines of investment opportunities, elaborate business models and structure ideas into appealing investment projects
• Identify and engage potential public and private financiers;
• Present investment and policy recommendations to government agencies and relevant partners;
• Advise government on creating an enabling environment for investment through policy incentives and regulations;
• Sharing experience gained through country activities and engagement in international networks into elements of South-South cooperation programs, sub-regional knowledge sharing programs and national level capacity building activities;
• Play a key role into the design of the Expressions of Interests, Concept Notes and/or Proposals as necessary based on agreed actions;
• Maintain a reliable system of tracking and monitoring business development data and knowledge management of donors/partners and their requirements.
• Assess issues and opportunities within targeted thematic areas for development of concept notes and proposals;
• Develop result reporting of business development activities internally and externally;
• Developing content for knowledge, training and communication materials on green investment                                       

ENGAGEMENT

The Senior Investment and project development officer will steer the portfolio of green investment projects, engaging with other members of the country team, with policy and investment teams in HQ, and with donor agencies, and with investors, banks and local entrepreneurs. The Senior Investment and project development officer will provide technical advice and guidance to other staff members and leads capacity building of internal staff and government officials in the area of green investment project design, preparation and implementation as well as will play a critical role in securing, building, maintaining, and strengthening partnerships with government counterparts and international/local stakeholders in the public and private sectors.

DELIVERY

In this role, the Senior Officer shall:

• Identify and originate new green investment projects, concept note development and some full proposal development , based on program needs, gaps, AU's strategy and strengths;
• Identify and develop relevant financing mechanism and risk reduction instruments for identified projects;
• Lead the development, writing and packaging of applications to respond to RFPs/RFAs from bilateral and multilateral agencies, including but not limited to Regional/Global Development Banks
• Lead (pre) feasibility assessment of green investment/infrastructure projects and programs engaging all relevant stakeholders;
• Develop project concept and design in collaboration with the country teams and government counterparts; lead the project to implementation/financing stage;
• Develop and disseminate capacity development and knowledge sharing products in the field of green investment project design and preparation;
• Support the establishment of the Climate Finance Unit at Africa Union Headquarters
• Lead and develop of an inclusive National Climate Finance Strategy for African Union Member States
• Lead and conduct targeted training through the “African Union Climate Finance” program
• Lead the Implementation plan and delivery plan of the GRAP  
• Support the Delivery of a Metrics to measure progress on action and desired outcome of the AU-GRAP developed with gender components
• Lead the Delivery of the annual Work Program and Budget, and Monitoring and Reporting processes, including the monitoring of logical framework and workplans;
• Oversee finance program-related outsourcing and procurements
• Clear and timely reporting on program delivery to the PM, Regional office and GGGI HQ
• Supervise and manage performance of GGGI consultants, if any, and ensure high quality outputs

REQUIREMENTS

QUALIFICATIONS

• A MBA or Masters level in economics, finance, or related fields.
• Preferably 7-10  years of total experience with significant experience in project development, project financing and/or investment appraisal in public or private sector organizations
• Experience with project finance, private or public sector projects, and/or in PPP transactions is a must.
• At least 2 years of international experience is required
• Experience working directly with one or more Investment banks/ Private Equity/ multilaterals would be an advantage.
• Proven experience and expertise as manager in project origination, feasibility assessment, preparation
• Experience in creating and analyzing financial models, balance sheets and historical and project financial statement
• Experience in conducing industry and market research and leading business development efforts
• Experience of working with high-level government officials, international organizations, multilateral development banks etc.
• Good understanding of the Africa banking sector - knowledge of the regional banking sector a plus
• Experience with climate finance and investment banking is a plus.
• Understanding of the institutional arrangements and processes for public investment is a plus
• Thematic experience in energy efficiency, waste management, water infrastructure financing preferred

FUNCTIONAL

• Demonstrated ability to formulate project proposals in compliance with requirements of various climate finance funds
• Ability to interact and form relationships with high-level government officials and partners Experienced in leading and formulating partnerships and networks to achieve and disseminate results
• Handle complex multi-stakeholder relationships
• Maintain a high degree of professional integrity
• Be willing to travel within Africa
• Effectively communicate, listen to others, and translate investment concepts into simple language for a non-expert audience

CORPORATE

• Understand and actively supports GGGI’s mission, vision and values.
• Promote an organizational culture of trust, transparency, respect and partnership.
• Manage emotions and stress positively, builds rapport and resolves conflict easily.
• Promote creativity and innovation among staff.
• Be able to lead where needed and provide solutions to project-level challenge.

Child protection – GGGI is committed to child protection, irrespective of whether any specific area of work involves direct contact with children. GGGI’s Child Protection Policy is written in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child.