Program Officer

Background/Job Purpose

 The African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) has recently developed a new strategic plan: Transformative Capacities for a Sustainable & Inclusive Growth in Africa 2023-2027 that focuses on four thematic program pillars: Economic and Social Governance, Climate Change and Energy for Productive Use, Trade as an engine of economic development, and Agribusiness and Food Sovereignty. In addition, the new Strategic Plan has identified four key cross cutting issues: women and youth, digitalization, and data talent.

The initiative to create the African School of Regulation (ASR) responds to the need for human capital in Africa to lead the way towards a sustainable energy model in Africa – including universal access and climate change mitigation and adaptation, as well as the growing presence of decentralised energy resources in the midst of a much-needed industrialisation process. Achieving this will require new approaches to policy, regulation, technology, innovation, and skills. Sound regulation stands out as an indispensable component of any strategy to guide African countries in designing and implementing this transition. Training in this area is urgently needed. The African School of Regulation is an ambitious initiative that seeks to harness the powerful influence of policy and regulation in the overlapping areas of energy and climate change by building the human capital that the African energy sector needs to achieve the goals of Agenda 2063 for sustainable development on the continent. The ASR is designed to be a professional training and applied research organisation, established in Africa, for Africa, and run by Africans.

In October 2022, following a competitive selection process, the ASR Parties agreed on ACBF being the host institution, to incubate and support the ASR being established in Africa as an independent and autonomous legal entity operating in Africa. Whilst it has its headquarters in Harare, Zimbabwe, ACBF will host the ASR in its regional and program Office in Accra, Ghana where it has suitable facilities. On 13 September 2023, a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) was signed between the ACBF and the EUI h representing the ASR Parties.  The MOA provides the framework of cooperation between the parties. Pursuant to the MOA, the parties have negotiated a Hosting Agreement that defines and delineates the obligations of ACBF and the process of incubating the ASR to a stage of maturity when it can be spun off as fully independent and autonomous to operate in Africa with appropriate privileges and immunities comparable to most international organizations.

The Program Officer will oversee the implementation of the ASR hosting project. The Program Officer will report to the Director Programs and Impact. The ideal candidate for this role thrives working within a team structure, sharing information and insights. The incumbent must be comfortable building bridges between academia, non-profit, government, and private corporate sectors. He/she should have experience in designing, planning, and projects.  The successful candidate will be offered a two year fixed term contract.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

·   Conceptualizes, plans and implements activities that support the completion of program goals and objectives in coordination with Programs and Impact Department (PID) and ASR team.

·     Regularly provides technical inputs to all on-going program activities.

·     Ensures results-based implementation, monitoring, evaluation and documentation of outcomes of program interventions.

·      Ensures that all program expenditures are in line with the approved budget and properly accounted for.

·    Produces monthly, quarterly, and annual program progress reports to ensure smooth implementation of activities and timely submission of reports to     anagement.

·       Develops and implements Annual work plans and monitors program budget.

·       Ensures the appropriate use and security of assigned assets and equipment.

·       Supports event planning for the training sessions, seminars, etc.

·       Supports fundraising activities to secure additional resources for the project.

·       Supports communication activities to raise awareness about the new school.

·       Facilitates the recruitment process for new students.

•     Analyzes risks and opportunities.
•     Ensures program deadlines are met.
•     Executes program administration and provides administrative support as needed.
•     Tracks budget, activities, progress, etc.
•     Organizes meetings and take meeting notes.

 Partnership

•     Facilitates and manages partnerships/relationships with relevant actors.
•     Manages relationships and coordinates engagement with key partners, and the role of each partner’s expected results, and milestones.
•     Develops and sustains effective partnerships and networks for the delivery of an impactful program ensuring the delivery of ACBF’s value add.

·    Coordinates closely other program staff in delivering activities in the project area.

·   Develops linkages with different stakeholders such as local government units, national and local government agencies, civil society organizations, and the private sector towards building a support network for the project in the area; and delivering expected results, and milestones.

·     Serves as resource person on the program

·     Attends and participates in partners’ meetings, workshops, trainings, and conferences related to the program.

 

Desired Qualifications, Competencies and Experience

• Master’s degree in an appropriate field with a minimum of 5 years professional experience in an appropriate area linked to development, with  significant experience in program design and implementation gained at a relevant organization/institution, with experience of employing market-based solutions to address complex social and development challenges
• Experience in leading the delivery of complex operations and program strategy with a multi-disciplinary team, working with multiple external  stakeholders, across locations and time zones.
•     Strong understanding of market-based solutions, ideally with experience engaging with investors/donor communities.
•     A thorough understanding of political, economic, and social trends in Africa, with an ability to work across different sectors in the continent.
•     Strong project management skills, deadline management, sense of responsibility and accountability and the ability to effectively multi-task.
•   Powerful conceptual and analytical skills, with a track record in using data and analytics to inform dynamic strategy implementation, priority  setting, and decision-making.
•     Experience in communicating externally, either in large groups, or in smaller engagements for representational and influencing purposes

 Personal Characteristics

·       Intellectually curious with a high degree of compassion, able to engage, enable and inspire.

·       A hands-on approach to all activities with real passion and high levels of energy. Agile and comfortable adapting to different environments.

·       Creative and resourceful in overcoming barriers and unexpected roadblocks. Courageous in spirit,

·       Diversity of thought and experience. Continually seeks new perspectives and feedback, takes an inclusive approach,

·       High levels of learning-agility with a real interest in the capacity building ecosystem.

·       Entrepreneurial and comfortable with ambiguous and change-led environments; self-confident with an authentic style that gravitates to  championing change.

·       Eager to seek a challenge and expand frontiers; brings a visionary approach. Sets and meets a high bar of goals and principles.

·       Natural ability to build strong relationships and enable collaboration through empathy and authenticity.

·       Committed to building a community through ACBF’s principles.

 Compensation

The African Capacity Building Foundation offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience. The Foundation provides a very generous

package of benefits.

 About the African Capacity Building Foundation

For more than 30 years, The African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) has been building human capital and institutional capacity for Africa’s sustainable development. With membership from 40 African Countries, the African Development Bank, the United Nations Development Program, The African Union, and The World Bank, ACBF is the leading institution for capacity development in Africa. 

While serving all actors, ACBF recognizes the importance of and pays attention to improving the effectiveness of Africa’s public sector institutions at local, national, regional, and continental levels to become effective systems integrators and catalysers of sustainable and transformative change.

Since its creation in 1991, ACBF has trained over 50,000 personnel in civil service, most of whom hold key positions in Ministries of Finance, Planning or

Economic Development and Central Banks across the continent. The Foundation has established a network of over 50 think tanks supporting evidence-based policymaking across Africa and conducted numerous policy research/analyses, which have been critical in informing economic management and establishing benchmarks for success.

ACBF’s strategy for the next five years focuses on responding to the current and future needs identified by member states such as, Climate Change and Energy for productive use, Agribusiness & Food sovereignty, Trade as an engine of economic development, and Economic & Social Governance.

 The Foundation currently maintains offices in Accra, Addis Ababa, Harare, and Nairobi.

 To apply for this position please submit in confidence a resume and a cover letter that details why you are a good fit for this career position quoting the reference, “Program Officer-ASR 02/2024,’ to   E-mail:  Recruitment@acbf-pact.org

 

The African Capacity Building Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer