Reports to: AU-AIP Program Manager and AIP Technical Director, with secondary reporting to the AIP CEO/Executive Secretary of GWPSA-Africa on strategic matters.
Location: Pretoria, South Africa
Duration: 2 years, renewable subject to performance and funds availability
Contract Type: Desired full time staff member/ Independent contractor as may be 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.
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 in Pretoria, South Africa. 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 across Africa.
2. AIP SENIOR PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND VULNERABILITY ADVISOR
The AIP Senior Project Development and Vulnerability Advisor leads the AIP Secretariat in the provision of technical assistance to countries in project development and vulnerability assessment to inform the preparation of project concept notes and funded proposals for the of Green Climate Fund. Global Environment Facility, Adaptation Fund and other climate finance sources. S/he will work directly with GCF National Direct Access Entities (DAEs) and International accredited institutions.
The AIP Advisor will also support the implementation of all five interrelated initiatives of the AIP, along with related work streams as may be required.
3. SCOPE OF WORK AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The AIP Senior Project Development and Vulnerability Advisor provides technical expertise across all eight mitigation and adaptation results areas for both public and private sector GCF concept Notes and funding proposals. S/he will lead the preparation and review of public sector CNs and funding proposals. S/he will assist NDAs and AEs in the development and structuring of projects and play a critical role in following projects to approval to enable
projects to start implementation. In addition,
S/he will carry out technical reviews of and provides input for projects developed for submission to GCF including review of draft country and entity work programs.
The Advisor will lead the AIP secretariat in provision of technical assistance with all aspects of GCF’s public sector programming operations, including programming strategy, country engagement, origination, implementation, and portfolio management.
The Advisor will work to support countries across all GCF’s investment modalities throughout all phases of GCF’s investment cycle. S/he is responsible for ensuring that country activities are in line with GCF’s strategies and policies, and implementation modalities are designed to deliver high quality climate impact results. S/he provides strategic and intellectual leadership to the country NDA, DAEs, National Coordinators and lead the development of concept notes informed by latest knowledge on vulnerable and climate risk management. S/he coordinates lead development of Theory of Change to ensure alignment with the GCF investment Criteria, and support financial structuring, mobilization of co-finance including from the Private Sector to ensure co-investments, coherence and alignment across the entire project development value chain.
Engagement
- Lead GCF preparation of projects across the entire project development cycle
- Support GCF engagement with direct access entities and ensures GCF’s operations are in line with countries’ NDCs, NAPs and long-term strategies, and all GCF programming and operational priorities.
- Provides strategic leadership, engage strategically with National Designated Authorities, Accredited Entities, and high-level country representatives; and guides the country teams in developing well prioritized pipeline of projects
- Represents the AIP and engages in structured policy dialogue with government officials and other stakeholders to promote policy measures that advance development objectives.
Origination
- Lead thematic and sectoral vulnerability assessment of mitigation and adaptation funding in support of projects and programs for low emissions and climate resilient development.
- Support countries in leading the development of the vulnerability studies to inform concept notes related to the Green Climate Fund readiness project
- In close cooperation with NDAs, DEAs, National Technical Coordinators, Specialist and other national experts, develop a detailed gender sensitive vulnerability assessment study to identify key vulnerabilities to climate change
- Propose solutions for climate action to respond to findings of the vulnerability assessments
- Ensure robust assessment of the impact of climate change indicators, level of exposure, sensitivity of the priority sectors, adaptive capacity and seek to build the local capacity to fully operationalize the data systems
- Participate and contribute to national stakeholder consultation and validation workshops for vulnerability studies
- Provides in-depth operational experience, conceptual leadership and strategic guidance to project development, appraisal, execution ensuring quality assurance, innovation and impact.
- Ensure GCF Readiness and Preparatory Support and Project Preparation Facility resources are mobilized to effectively build country operational and strategic capacity for climate action and develop strong GCF country programs and investment plans, and project pipelines.
- Develop and establish consistent operational standards to ensure the application of fiduciary policies across mitigation and adaptation strategies promptly and cost-effectively.
- Provide technical assistance to countries in development of robust project pipelines, strengthen project origination and due-diligence work following standards established by GCF to deliver faster and better solutions in climate finance.
4. REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS
The AIP Senior Project Development and Vulnerability Advisor will report directly to the AU-AIP Program Manager and AIP Technical Director. S/he will report directly to the AIP CEO/Executive Secretary of GWPSA-Africa on strategic matters. S/he will work closely with the GWP Senior water and climate specialist and Program Specialist for Water and Climate Resilience.
5. QUALIFICATIONS AND DESIRED EXPERIENCE
- Master’s or higher-level degree in project finance, engineering, MBA, sustainable development, climate change and any other related professions
- 10 years or more of relevant experience including at the senior management level working with DAEs, NDAs in African countries.
- Deep operational expertise in terms of structuring, appraising and project finance and structured finance investments.
- Experience with blended finance investments is an advantage.
- Experience with tools and methodologies for robust assessment of the impact of climate change indicators, exposure and sensitivity analysis
- Experience in building capacity of DAEs, NDAs and country partners to fully implement GCF country program, accreditation of DAEs and development of funded projects for the GCF
- Broad knowledge of climate change science and policy.
- Proven track record of accomplishment in leadership positions that include country engagement, origination, in investments related to development and climate finance, particularly in developing countries.
- Demonstrated ability to develop and manage relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders and partners, including government entities, private businesses, investors, NGOs and international organizations.
- Deep understanding of GCF investment strategies, development challenges by countries.
- Clear understanding of international finance regulations, compliances and protocols.
- Track record of monitoring and reporting GCF investment portfolio performance.
- Strong interpersonal skills with demonstrated experience in leading and motivating highly engaged and productive teams.
- Fluency in both written and spoken in English; knowledge of one or more languages relevant to the regions is desirable.
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/92
- 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
