Coordinator, Africa Water Facility – PL2

THE BANK:

Established in 1964, the African Development Bank is the premier pan-African development institution, promoting economic growth and social progress across the continent. There are 81 member states, including 54 in Africa (Regional Member Countries). The Bank’s development agenda is delivering the financial and technical support for transformative projects that will significantly reduce poverty through inclusive and sustainable economic growth. In order to sharply focus the objectives of the Ten Year Strategy (2024 – 2033) and ensure greater developmental impact, five major areas (High 5), all of which will accelerate our delivery for Africa, have been identified for scaling up, namely; energy, agro-business, industrialization, integration and improving the quality of life for the people of Africa.

THE COMPLEX:

The Vice Presidency for Agriculture, Human, and Social Development is a Sector Complex focusing on the Bank’s Ten-Year Strategy High 5s priorities of “Feed Africa” and “Improve Quality of Life for the People of Africa”. The complex objectives are (i) to develop, policy and strategy; (ii) provide deep sector expertise to the Regions by gathering pool of experienced individuals who can be consulted to provide sector expertise on complex transactions; (iii) develop new financing instruments; (iv) the Vice-President will act as the spoke person to represent the Bank with external stakeholders on aspects of “Feed Africa” and Improve Quality of Life for the People of Africa”.

THE HIRING DEPARTMENT:

The Water Development and Sanitation Department is part of the Agriculture, Human and Social Development Complex. The Department is responsible for the coordination of the Bank’s water development and sanitation-related activities to enhance synergies and contribute to the achievement of all High 5s (Power and Light Africa, Feed Africa, Industrialize Africa, Integrate Africa, and Improve the quality of life). Through its three operational Divisions for water security and sanitation, and the African Water Facility, the Department supports regional hubs in the development and promotion of new knowledge, approaches and tools for green and inclusive water resources development and management, and for improved sanitation. In so doing, the Department leads the scaling- up of the Bank’s contribution to Africa’s efforts to attain water security and sanitation for sustainable socio- economic transformation.

HIRING DIVISION: THE AFRICAN WATER FACILITY:

The African Water Facility (AWF) is an initiative of the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW) to mobilize resources to finance water sector facilitation and investment activities in Africa, contributing to meeting the African Water Vision as well as water-related Sustainable Development Goals. The Facility comprises a Special Fund established in 2004, which operates as a demand-driven, African-led project preparation facility sorely focused on water and sanitation. It provides grants, mobilizes investment fi­nancing, and offers expert technical assistance to support the preparation and implementation of innovative water and sanitation projects throughout Africa. The Facility also comprises the Africa Urban Sanitation Investment Initiative (AUSII), a financing window dedicated to urban sanitation. The resources of the AWF are primarily allocated to water resources projects and programmes focused on improving the enabling environment for sustainable national and regional water resources management, preparing projects and programmes for immediate capital investments, and providing resources for strategic and small-scale investments. The AWF plans, organizes and carries out activities related to projects and programs cycle activities (identification, preparation, appraisal implementation and supervision) in the above areas, in all African countries; undertakes studies on issues regarding the water sector development and related areas; provides advice and technical assistance to African countries; and ensures coordination and synergy with other partners and donors in the water and sanitation sector in Africa.

THE POSITION:

The African Water Facility Coordinator reports to the Director of the Water Development and Sanitation Department. He/She leads the implementation and delivery of the Africa Water Facility’s mandate, agenda and strategy, supporting the achievement of the Africa Water Vision. He/She is responsible for providing leadership and supervising the staff and activities of the Facility. The main work objectives are to:

1. Lead the implementation and delivery of Africa Water Facility’s strategic objectives and annual work programs, including project preparation, AUSII, policy and strategic work to ensure that operations and other organizational activities which are identified, developed and executed are well aligned with the Africa Water Facility’s strategy, in accordance with its Operational Procedures, and effectively implemented.
2. Provide technical guidance/advisory services and expertise to regional and national stakeholders, clients and AWF teams on Project Preparation, Water Investment Promotion and Small Strategic Investments.
3. Foster strategic partnerships with regional and global partners, including resource mobilization and co-financing, and provide expertise on water development issues to support the department’s role.
4. Ensure coherence of the Africa Water Facility’s activities across regions.
5. Produce and disseminate knowledge raised through Africa Water Facility operations.

KEY FUNCTIONS:

The Africa Water Facility Coordinator, under the oversight of Director Water Development and Sanitation Department, manages staff of the Facility and plans, organizes, supervises and directs the work to ensure efficient and effective delivery of its objectives and work programs. Specifically, the role of Coordinator is to:

1. Managing and supervising the Facility
   1. Implement the Bank’s mandate and commitment for the African Water Facility.
   2. Plan, organize and supervise the activities and staff of the Facility including identifying development projects and programs which could be financed by the Africa Water Facility in line with its mandate, strategic priorities and operational procedures.
   3. Supervise African Water Facility’s staff and activities.
   4. Analyse requests proposed for Africa Water Facility financing of projects, programs and studies.
   5. Ensure compliance of Water and Sanitation projects in line with the Africa Water Facility acceptance criteria, priorities and development plans.
   6. Coordinate the preparation of the Africa Water Facility ‘s budget in line with Africa Water Facility instrument and the Bank administrative procedures.
   7. Lead complex missions involving negotiations with government officials, grant negotiations and collaborate with the Bank’s Legal Department in preparation of grant agreements.
   8. Liaise with the Director Generals and advise on the Africa Water Facility programme, procedures and operations, including cross-cutting strategies: environment, gender, procurement and finance.
   9. Liaise with the Director Generals on the implementation of Africa Water Facility Water operations and the assurance of a high quality of the portfolio and the development effectiveness.
   10. Propose the African Water Facility budget and monitor its implementation in cooperation with the Regional operations management team.
   11. Manage a team of professional level and support staff in providing efficient and high-quality services that support the business. Set realistic performance goals and motivate team members to meet them, both for individual staff and for the team as whole and proceed with Africa Water Facility staff members’ performance evaluation.
   12. Advise on and promote the implementation of relevant sector policies and strategies:
   13. Participate in the recruitment of Africa Water Facility staff in coordination with the department’s Director and in line with Bank rules and procedures.
   14. Promote collaboration and facilitate teamwork across teams and across organizational units.
   15. Maintain a high standard of professional integrity, treat individuals fairly and be sensitive to differences across culture, nationalities and gender.
   16. Improve customer service orientation of staff of African Water Facility and ensure provision of efficient services to clients.
   17. Serve as acting Director when required.
2. Strategic Partnerships, Collaborations and Resources Mobilization
   1. Ensure coordination and synergy with all partners and donors.
   2. Lead the Facility’s resource mobilization activities, including expansion of its partnerships for financing water and sanitation development in Africa
   3. Initiate, conduct and /or coordinate the Africa Water Facility’s participation in dialogue with African countries, regional and continental organizations, stakeholders, and other partners.
   4. Represent the African Water Facility in multi-disciplinary activities, seminars and conferences.
   5. Initiate actions for Africa Water Facility resources mobilization in coordination with the Director.
3. Strengthening Sector Knowledge Development and Promoting Knowledge Uptake, and Networking
   1. Monitor and analyse economic developments in regional member countries and advise the Director on issues relating to water sector development.
   2. Provide technical advice/assistance to the Regional Directorate and Regional Members Countries in the development of their Water and Sanitation Sectors.
   3. Develop and maintain cooperation and co-financing relations with the other development agencies and organizations; lead important and sensitive missions to the member countries and partner organizations and agencies.
   4. Supervise the development and recommend implementation of innovative financing mechanisms, as well as technical and management approaches to promote project preparation, water resources development and investment promotion cross regional member countries, including through public-private partnerships, and improvement of the overall governance of these sectors.
   5. Promote and develop the mechanism to monitor the performance of the Africa Water Facility activities, and ensure the appropriate reporting to all the stakeholders.
   6. Be a collaborative member of the Department Management Team, contribute and share expertise and input and foster a collegial environment.
   7. Serve as a role model, leading by example, building alignment and commitment. Be courageous in challenging others to move the Bank forward.
   8. Provide on-the-job training and advice to relatively less experienced staff and supervise their work.
   9. Communicate effectively to staff and management how the related strategy, policy, and processes support the needs of the business and enable a productive, positive and engaging work environment for staff.
   10. Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.

COMPETENCIES (skills, experience and knowledge):

1. Hold at least a Master’s degree in either of the following areas: Water Resources Management, Engineering, Water Supply and Sanitation; Development Economics, or closely related disciplines.
2. Have a minimum of eight (8) years of extensive and progressive experience in an internationally recognized financial or development Institution or similar to the Bank, three (3) years of which must have involved managing and/or supervising teams.
3. Having private sector experience will be an added advantage.
4. Familiarity with the work of other multilateral and bilateral development finance institutions is a plus.
5. Experience in water sector development and policy support in Africa; and in knowledge management and preparation of analytical work is a plus.
6. Recognized as a thought leader with deep knowledge of public health issues and/or integrated water resources development in Africa, with a focus on research and policy, particularly related to water or public health or sanitation; and ability to analyze and evaluate critical matters pertaining to a broad spectrum of public health, water and sanitation issues and provide policy advice.
7. Knowledge of operational policies, rules, procedures and practices of the Bank or comparable institution.
8. Experience in planning, organizing, managing and coordinating the activities of similar units and supervising staff, organizing teams, and providing managerial support.
9. Experience in delivering high quality operational products and services (economic analyses, research advice, sectoral studies and review) in support of the international development agenda.
10. Ability to communicate and cascade vision for their area. Helps others understand how their personal objectives align with the Bank’s mission.
11. Communicate and write effectively in French or English, preferably with a good working knowledge of the other language.
12. Competence in the use of standard Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint); knowledge of SAP is desirable.

______________________________________________________________________

Important Application Information:
Please submit your application only via the official website of the hiring organization or by using the “Apply” button on CinfoPoste, which will redirect you to the organization’s application site. Applications submitted through other job portals will not be forwarded to the respective organization and will not be considered. To ensure your application reaches the right destination, always follow the official application process as indicated in the job posting.

How cinfo Can Support You in the Application Process for This Position

• Application and Interview Preparation: Whether you’re preparing your application documents or getting ready for an interview, you can book a Job Application Support session to receive tailored guidance.
• For Swiss nationals invited to the first round of the selection process (e.g., written test, interview, assessment center): Notify us at recruitment@cinfo.ch, and we will inform our HR partners in the respective organization and the Swiss Government to help increase your visibility.

______________________________________________________________________