Reports to: Reports to the Chief Executive Officer: AIP and Executive Secretary: GWPSA-Africa
Location: Pretoria, South Africa; Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; remote as may be mutually agreed
Duration: 2 years renewable subject to performance and funds availability
Contract type: Desirable full-time staff member, an Independent Contractor may also be mutually agreed
1. BACKGROUND TO THE CONTINENTAL AFRICA WATER INVESTMENT PROGRAMME
On 6 September 2023, African Heads of State and Government committed to supporting the implementation of the Continental Africa Water Investment Programme (AIP), as part of the Nairobi Declaration on Climate Change.
The AIP was adopted during the 34th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union (AU) Summit of Heads of State and Government on 7 February 2021, as part of the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) Priority Action Plan 2. The AU Climate Change and Resilient Development Strategy (2022-2032) recognizes the AIP as a flagship initiative for transforming water systems.
Delivery of water investments across Africa is significantly below target to meet the continent’s growing social and economic needs. It is estimated that at least an additional US$30 billion per year by 2030 needs to be invested to meet the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 on water and sanitation. Currently, only US$10-US$19 billion is invested each year.
The AIP aims to close the water investment gap by mobilising at least an additional US$30 billion annually by 2030 and creating five million jobs towards the African Water Vision 2025 and SDG water-related targets in 2030.
1.1 AIP Implementation
The AIP is implemented by national governments, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), River Basin Organisations (RBOs), with technical backstopping by the AIP Secretariat hosted by the Global Water Partnership Africa Coordination Unit. AIP is implemented through five interrelated programmes and initiatives:
- High-level political commitment and leadership on water investments – The International High-Level Panel on Water Investments for Africa was established in 2022, comprising current and former Heads of State and global leaders. During 2023, the Panel developed and launched a report, Africa’s Rising Investment Tide, and an Africa Water Investment Action Plan with actionable pathways for countries to mobilise at least an additional US$30bn annually by 2030 for implementing the AIP.
- AIP-PIDA Water Investment Scorecard to enhance mutual accountability, transparency, and efficiency of water finance and investments. The AIP-PIDA Water Investment Scorecard supports countries to track progress, set benchmarks, identify bottlenecks, and take action to meet Africa’s water investment needs. The Scorecard was adopted by AUDA-NEPAD as part of PIDA in February 2022. The Scorecard was developed and piloted in 10 countries in 2023, ahead of its roll out across AU Member States.
- Regional and national water investment programmes to close the water investment gap – The AIP supports AU Member States to develop national water investment programmes. Many African countries are extremely vulnerable to climate variability and climate change; and are further faced with weak institutional capacities, water infrastructure, and information systems to support water management. National water investment programmes address these gaps and are informed by insights from the AIP-PIDA Water Investment Scorecard.
- AIP International Blended Investment Mechanism to leverage public-private finance – The AIP will assess the need for an International Blended Investment Mechanism to support countries to leverage ODA (Official Development Assistance) and grant finance to de-risk priority water investments using a variety of innovative financial instruments and sources. These include sovereign wealth funds, guarantees, commercial finance, institutional investors and private equity investors, foundations, value-based impact investment, and climate finance.
- Gender equality and empowerment of women and girls in water investment through the AIP Gender Transformative Water Climate Development Program (AIP WACDEP-G) – The AIP WACDEP-G develops tools to assist governments in addressing systemic inequalities in decision-making, planning, and implementation of investments, by fostering a transformative approach in agencies, structures, and social relations. The AIP WACDEP-G was piloted in five countries during 2020-2024 and is expected to be expanded to many other countries in Africa.
2. SCOPE OF WORK: AIP SENIOR ADVISOR – FINANCE, INVESTMENT AND KNOWLEDGE SPECIALIST
The AIP Senior Advisor – Finance, Investment and Knowledge Specialist supports the AU-AIP Secretariat with the development and implementation of the AU’s continental knowledge management platform. The Advisor will support the establishment and operationalization of the AU continental knowledge management platform under the AIP.
The platform aims to enhance climate finance programming by fostering the development and dissemination of methods, frameworks, and information systems across African countries. The Advisor will focus on co-creating a sustainable, user-centric platform that leverages innovative financial instruments to support countries in accessing and implementing climate-resilient water projects effectively. The Advisor will be expected to collaborate with IT experts to co-develop the IT infrastructure of the knowledge management platform.
The Advisor will also collaborate with GCF National Accredited Entities (DAEs), GCF international AEs, and the project developers for GCF co-investments on the continent. The Advisor will also support the development of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Regional Climate Resilient Water Investment Program (SADC AIP) led by SADC in collaboration with GCF, Development Bank of Southern Africa and lead the roll out across other Africa sub-regions.
The Advisor will contribute to reviews, financial and investment structuring of funding proposal for co-investments by the GCF and other partners and will perform quality assurance GCF programme development deliverables and ensure experience are shared on the AU knowledge platform.
3. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Lead the design, co-development, and co-implementation of a user-centric knowledge management platform as part of the AIP international blended water investment facility;
- Conduct continental/regional engagements, including participating in continental/regional workshops, to identify knowledge management needs and suitable mechanisms for optimal knowledge sharing and platform sustainability;
- Collaborate with National Designated Authorities (NDAs), Direct Access Entities (DAEs), water ministries, agencies, and other stakeholders to ensure the platform aligns with their needs and enhances climate finance programming;
- Collaborate with IT, knowledge management, and learning teams to co-design the knowledge management platform, ensuring it is responsive to the needs identified during the continental/regional engagements and is adaptable to various African contexts;
- Design and develop a sustainability and scaling strategy for the knowledge management platform, drawing lessons from similar initiatives to ensure long-term impact;
- Ensure the integration of indigenous knowledge and practices into the platform, supporting the resilience-building efforts of participating countries;
- Develop and disseminate methods, manuals and frameworks that support enhanced climate finance programming among participating countries;
- Contribute to pipeline development in selected countries for GCF co-investment with the AIP international blended water investment facility to provide structured knowledge resources to support the participating countries to prioritize and prepare climate-resilient water projects;
- Contribute to capacity building workshops to ensure take up of the platform.
- Support increased awareness on the use of indigenous knowledge across participating countries to promote the incorporation of traditional practices in climate resilience strategies;
- Contribute to reviews, financial and investment structuring of funding proposal for co-investments by the GCF and other partners and will perform quality assurance GCF programme development deliverables and ensure experience are shared on the AU knowledge platform;
- Lead development of concept notes and fully funded proposals for GCF co-investment, as part of the knowledge platform and investment facility;
- Monitor and report on the progress of the platform’s development.
4. KEY DELIVERABLES
The Advisor is expected to prepare the following deliverables:
- Continental/Regional Engagement Report: A comprehensive report summarizing the findings from continental/regional engagements, including key knowledge management needs, potential mechanisms for knowledge sharing, and recommendations for the design and sustainability of the platform;
- Knowledge Management Platform: In collaboration with IT teams, co-development of a fully functional, user-friendly knowledge management platform that is operational and accessible to all;
- African Climate Resilience Knowledge Management Platform Development Report: A report summarizing key phases of the platform’s development, features, user interface manual, solutions implemented and recommendations for future platform enhancements;
- Training and Capacity Building Materials: In collaboration with the IT, knowledge and learning teams, co-development of training modules, guides, and other materials to support the capacity-building activities related to the knowledge management platform;
- Project Development Support: A pipeline of projects for GCF co-investments, inputs in the development SADC AIP, and support to roll out across other Africa sub-regions.
- Reports on financial and investment structuring of funding proposal for co-investments by the GCF and other partners.
5. REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS
The AIP Advisor will report directly to the AIP CEO/Executive Secretary of GWPSA (Global Water Partnership Southern Africa). The Advisor will work closely with GWP Africa and global knowledge management teams, and as a team member of the AU-AIP Program management team under the overall guidance of the African Union Commission Directorate Blue for Economy and Sustainable Environment.
6. QUALIFICATIONS AND DESIRED EXPERIENCE
- Advanced degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Finance, Climate Change, Water Resources Management, Knowledge Management, or a related field. Chartered Accounting Certification and a Project Management Professional certification are required;
- At least 10 years of professional experience in project and financial management, out of which at least 6 years of working experience in the Green Climate Fund is a must;
- Expertise in developing and applying methods, frameworks, and information systems for enhancing climate finance programming;
- Proficiency in using knowledge management tools and platforms, with a focus on user-centered design and sustainability;
- In-depth understanding of GCF’s investment criteria, proposal requirements, and review processes;
- Experience reviewing and appraising GCF projects is a must;
- Demonstrated experience in project development and project management;
- Experience working in Africa, with a good understanding of the local context, stakeholders, and climate change priorities and strategies;
- Demonstrated experience in working with National Designated Authorities (NDAs), Direct Access Entities (DAEs), and other entities involved in climate finance programming, particularly within the Green Climate Fund framework;
- Excellent proficiency in written and spoken English is required.
7. SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS
Applicants meeting all the above requirements are invited to express their interest through submission of the following:
- A one-page motivation letter addressing the requirements as stated above;
- A Curriculum Vitae;
- Three professional references who may be contacted if you are short-listed for the position.
- Applications should be submitted through to the Bamboo HR online system: https://gwpsanpc.bamboohr.com/careers/90
- Requests for further information or clarification/questions can be directed to the following email address: Ahmed Khalid Eldaw Mohamed MohamedAK@africa-union.org Joseph Mbinji joseph.mbinji@gwpsaf.org and Mark Naidoo mark.naidoo@gwpsaf.org
- Applications should be submitted not later than 17 October 2024
