Technical and operational support to energy portfolio development and implementation in Namibia.
Application Close Date
2026-11-13
Engagement Type
Individual Consultant
Job Family
5.Operations management & programming
A. Background Objectives
The African Development Bank Group (the Bank) seeks to strengthen its energy-sector engagement in Namibia through improved project preparation, implementation support, policy dialogue and investment pipeline development. Areas of engagement include electricity access, power generation, transmission and regional interconnections, energy efficiency, renewable energy and climate-resilient infrastructure. The assignment will provide locally based technical and operational support to the Bank’s energy team in Pretoria and facilitate timely coordination with Namibian institutions and development partners. It will balance core power-sector operations and portfolio delivery with targeted support for climate finance and a just energy transition. Indicative activities identified in the Bank’s recent internal recruitment material will be validated at inception; their inclusion does not imply a financing commitment or approval by the Bank.
Objectives and expected results The overall objective is to support the Bank in developing and managing a coherent, implementation-ready energy portfolio in Namibia. Specifically, the Consultant will: (i) advance agreed project preparation and implementation milestones; (ii) strengthen follow-up on Mission 300 and electricity-access priorities; (iii) improve coordination and resolution of operational bottlenecks; (iv) identify and screen investment and technical assistance opportunities; and (v) integrate energy efficiency, climate resilience and resource mobilisation into relevant operations. Expected results are better-prepared project documents, a prioritised and regularly updated pipeline, timely identification of delivery risks, and a documented record of stakeholder actions and decisions.
B. Scope of work
The consultant will be expected to perform the following tasks. Portfolio development and project preparation: • Maintain an energy-sector opportunity register, documenting project sponsors, development objectives, preparation status, indicative financing needs where evidenced, readiness gaps, risks and next steps. • Support identification, preparation and appraisal activities, including drafting terms of reference, concept notes, technical annexes, briefing notes and inputs to appraisal reports. • Review feasibility studies and related technical, institutional, economic and financial documentation; consolidate comments with the Bank’s specialists and track responses. • Assess project preparation needs and potential financing, co-financing and technical assistance avenues without making commitments on behalf of the Bank. • Prepare mission inputs, stakeholder agendas, aide-memoire contributions and back-to-office reports as requested. Implementation and portfolio monitoring: • Support supervision of assigned operations, review progress reports and maintain a consolidated milestone, risk and action tracker. • Identify delays affecting studies, procurement, counterpart coordination, disbursement documentation and implementation arrangements; propose practical corrective actions for Task Manager consideration. • Provide technical inputs to Implementation Progress and Results Reports (IPRs), Project Completion Reports (PCRs) and other portfolio reviews where applicable. • Assist in checking the completeness of supporting documents and follow up with executing agencies, under the direction of the responsible Bank staff. • Coordinate with procurement, financial management, disbursement, legal, environmental and social, and climate specialists. The Consultant will not provide fiduciary or safeguard clearances, authorize disbursements, or exercise delegated Bank approval functions.
Priority thematic and project workstreams: • Regional transmission: Support the Botswana–Namibia (BONA) interconnector feasibility study and associated coordination. Provide limited, specifically authorised cross-support to the Botswana–Zambia (BOZA) and Botswana–South Africa (BOSA) studies where relevant to the regional programme. • Electricity access and Mission 300: Support follow-up on Namibia’s National Energy Compact, investment and reform actions, data requirements and partner coordination. Assist preparation of access operations, including the two City of Windhoek feasibility studies identified in the recruitment material, subject to confirmation of their scope and status. • Generation and associated infrastructure: Facilitate preparation and coordination for the Baynes hydropower project and related transmission infrastructure, focusing on assigned documentation, stakeholder follow-up and preparation milestones. • Energy efficiency and renewables: Support development of the solar water heating programme and Namibia’s participation in the proposed regional wind measurement campaign, including preparation needs and partner coordination. • Pipeline screening: Review the identified phase-two biomass power opportunity and provide follow-up on ZIZABONA as needed. Additional opportunities will enter the work programme only following Task Manager approval.
Policy dialogue, partnerships and climate finance: • Support technical dialogue with the ministries responsible for energy and finance, NamPower, the Electricity Control Board, Regional Electricity Distributors, municipalities, project authorities, private developers and development partners. • Prepare evidence-based briefs on energy security, affordability, investment constraints, renewable integration and regional power trade. • Identify relevant climate finance and project preparation opportunities, including the Climate Investment Funds (CIF), Green Climate Fund (GCF) and other facilities, subject to eligibility assessment by the relevant Bank teams. • Contribute to climate
C. Deliverables Expected
General deliverables and submission schedule The consultant will be expected to provide the following general deliverables, including but not limited to:
Deliverable Required content Timing 1. Inception report and work plan Validated assignment priorities; baseline portfolio and pipeline register; stakeholder map; output schedule; allocation of working days; risks and information requirements. Within the first 5 working days of input and no later than 2 weeks after commencement. 2. Monthly progress packages Activities and outputs completed; project milestones; updated pipeline and action tracker; issues requiring Bank decisions; next-month priorities; timesheet and cumulative days used. Monthly, within 5 working days after month-end; final-month reporting incorporated into the final report. 3. Project preparation and review outputs Assigned TORs, concept or appraisal inputs, study review notes and preparation gap assessments, with evidence sources and unresolved issues clearly identified. According to the approved inception work plan and individual task deadlines. 4. Mission and stakeholder records Concise meeting or mission reports recording agreed actions, responsible parties, deadlines and matters requiring escalation. Normally within 5 working days of the relevant meeting or mission. 5. Final report and handover package Results against agreed outputs; final portfolio and pipeline register; outstanding actions and risks; recommended next-period work programme; organised editable files and stakeholder records. Draft at least 10 working days before the service end date; final by the service end date following consolidated comments.
D. Duration and Timetable for the Assignment
The proposed assignment is for up to 75 working days rendered between 1 January and 30 June 2027 subject to contract signature . The contractual closing date may allow an agreed administrative period for final acceptance and payment; this will not authorise additional service days. Any extension is subject to an identified need, availability of funds and the requisite approvals and contract amendment; it is not automatic.
E. Bank Contribution and Institutional Arrangement
The Power Systems Development Department (PESD) will manage the assignment.
F. Duty Station
The consultant shall be based in Namibia and may undertake limited travel in accordance with the Bank’s rules and regulations. Travel outside the agreed duty station requires prior written authorisation; eligible travel costs and allowances will be specified in the contract and managed under applicable Bank arrangements.
G. Essential Specialized Skills/Knowledge/Competencies
The individual consultant should have the following qualifications: i) A university degree in electrical or energy engineering, energy economics, economics, energy policy or a closely related discipline. A relevant postgraduate qualification will be an advantage. ii) At least 8 years of relevant professional experience in the energy sector, including substantive work in project preparation, implementation, power-sector planning, utility operations or policy advisory services. iii) Demonstrated knowledge of Namibia’s energy-sector institutions, regulatory environment and investment priorities, supported by relevant assignments or equivalent substantive engagement. iv) Experience with power generation, transmission, electricity access or regional power trade, and the ability to review technical documentation and identify project preparation gaps. v) Experience supporting multilateral development banks or other development finance institutions, with a sound understanding of the project cycle and operational reporting. vi) Demonstrated analytical, drafting, coordination and stakeholder engagement skills, including work with government institutions, utilities, regulators or development partners. vii) Knowledge of energy efficiency, renewable energy, climate resilience and climate finance will be an advantage. viii) Excellent written and spoken English and proficiency in standard office, spreadsheet and presentation software. ix) Availability to deliver the agreed intermittent inputs in Namibia and undertake authorised travel, with any required legal permissions in place before commencement. Remuneration Remuneration will be negotiated within the approved budget and applicable Bank requirements. Payment is proposed on the basis of an agreed daily fee for actual approved working days, supported by invoices, certified timesheets and accepted monthly outputs, subject to confirmation of the appropriate contract modality. No fee or total contract amount is assumed. The consultant is expected to provide a detailed budget proposal.
Selection criteria The Consultant will be recruited through a competitive individual-consultant process under the Bank’s applicable institutional consultancy requirements. Applicants should submit an expression of interest, curriculum vitae, evidence of relevant assignments and qualifications, and a statement of availability. Assessment criterion Maximum points Academic qualifications and overall suitability 15 Relevant energy project preparation and implementation experience 35 Knowledge of Namibia’s energy sector and regional power trade 25 MDB/DFI operational experience and stakeholder coordination 15 English drafting, analytical and communication capabilities 10 Total 100
H. Supervisor
Reporting requirements The Consultant will work under the overall guidance of the Division Manager, Southern Africa Regional Development and Business Delivery Office, and the day-to-day supervision of the designated Task Manager/Chief Regional Power Systems Officer. Technical inputs will be coordinated with relevant Bank project teams, the Southern Africa regional office and specialist departments. The Consultant will hold regular progress discussions with the Task Manager and promptly escalate material implementation risks. Counterpart liaison does not alter the Consultant’s reporting relationship to the Bank. The Bank will facilitate access to available documents and introductions to relevant counterparts; the Consultant will maintain a secure, orderly record of work and transfer it at completion.
Consultancy Input Days
129.00
Qualifications
Qualification
Assessment
Regular Consultant
Less than 32 years old at the time of signing the contract and during contract execution
