SEFA is a Multi-Donor Special Fund that aims to unlock private sector investments that contribute to providing universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy services for all in Africa, in line with the Bank’s New Deal on Energy for Africa strategy and Sustainable Development Goal 7. SEFA offers technical assistance and concessional finance instruments to remove market barriers, build a more robust pipeline of projects and improve the risk-return profile of individual investments, along three thematic pillars, namely Green Baseload (GBL), Green Mini-Grids (GMG) and Energy Efficiency (EE). SEFA is housed in the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Department (PERN) under the Power, Energy, Climate, and Green Growth (PEVP) complex.
SEFA wishes to recruit a finance and investment specialist to support activities under the GMG pillar, notably the implementation of an investment pipeline, and delivery of technical assistance (TA) activities to expand private investment in mini-grids on the African continent.
Application Close Date
2026-10-08
Engagement Type
Individual Consultant
Job Family
3.Engineering
A. Background Objectives
SEFA is a Multi-Donor Special Fund that aims to unlock private sector investments that contribute to providing universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy services for all in Africa, in line with the Bank’s New Deal on Energy for Africa strategy and Sustainable Development Goal 7. SEFA offers technical assistance and concessional finance instruments to remove market barriers, build a more robust pipeline of projects and improve the risk-return profile of individual investments, along three thematic pillars, namely Green Baseload (GBL), Green Mini-Grids (GMG) and Energy Efficiency (EE). SEFA is housed in the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Department (PERN) under the Power, Energy, Climate, and Green Growth (PEVP) complex.
SEFA wishes to recruit a finance and investment specialist to support activities under the GMG pillar, notably the implementation of an investment pipeline, and delivery of technical assistance (TA) activities to expand private investment in mini-grids on the African continent.
B. Scope of work
The expert is expected to support the development and implementation of SEFA’s GMG-aligned work programme, encompassing both:
I. Delivery of concessional investments. Support to identification, appraisal, structuring and supervision of investments in decentralized renewable energy projects and platforms, with a focus on mini-grid technologies.
II. Technical assistance. Support the development and implementation of TA projects, such as financial structuring support during (i) the design of national country level programmes, providing technical inputs on enabling environment and financial structuring aspects, (ii) development of catalytic finance instruments, and (iii) identification of ecosystem support interventions. This role will be both internally and externally facing with a need to engage with and solicit feedback from a variety of market stakeholders.
The consultant will be expected to cover the following activities, in addition to any responsibilities assigned from time to time during the contract period;
• Investment identification and appraisal o Manage the development of mini-grid funding opportunities, including supporting the development and implementation of country programmes, notably in Burundi, DRC, Guinea and other countries as opportunities arise. o Identify and originate new investment opportunities — including in selected GMG developers and emerging funding vehicles — and lead their appraisal, supporting assessment, structuring, and progression through the Bank's approval processes. o Advise AfDB energy sector experts and Bank clients on financing issues linked to enabling private investments in GMG projects. o Reinforce project preparation activities by providing operational insights and supporting the screening, design, review and due diligence of specific projects. • Portfolio management o Monitor approved projects and support their timely implementation, including negotiation and signature of legal documents, processing disbursements, and overseeing technical and financial performance. o Undertake regular supervisory reviews of projects and programmes, including compiling and/or reviewing progress reports, tracking impact indicators, and reviewing other project deliverables. o Compile and/or review Project Completion Reports (PCRs).
C. Deliverables Expected
These will be agreed with the supervisor at the start of the contract, but are expected to include: • Preparing and obtaining clearance of at least two new funding opportunities in the decentralised energy space into SEFA’s pipeline. • Processing and securing approval of at least two funding opportunities for the GMG work programme, including approval for SEFA’s pending investment into a leading GMG developer.
D. Duration and Timetable for the Assignment
The consultancy is expected to start in November 2026 and will cover a period of twelve (12) months.
E. Bank Contribution and Institutional Arrangement
a) The contribution of the Renewable Energy Department and Energy Efficiency (PERN) includes the following: • Provide access to site locations and relevant data. • Facilitate stakeholder engagement and meetings as needed. • Review and provide feedback on reports and recommendations. b) The appointment of the Consultant and the acceptance of such appointment will constitute an engagement of the Consultant to provide the Beneficiary with the services referred to in the Scope of Works on an exclusive basis. c) The consultant shall work with professionalism, excellence, integrity, and transparency to ensure the successful implementation of all mission outputs. For detailed technical questions, they may direct their inquiries to the AfDB, which will assist them to the fullest extent possible. d) Any information provided by AfDB, other lenders, project sponsors, or by any other source concerning any AfDB project or activity or the bidding and appointment of the Consultant will be considered confidential and proprietary in nature and should not (except as required by law) be disclosed by the Consultant to any third party.
F. Duty Station
The selected Consultant will work at least 50% of his/her time from of the Bank’s headquarters in Abidjan.
G. Essential Specialized Skills/Knowledge/Competencies
The consultant should have:
Technical experience: a) At least a Master’s degree in economics, finance, engineering or business administration; b) 8+ years’ experience working directly with a DRE company and/or investor in Africa, preferably in positions with exposure to key project and investment preparation tasks (business models, financial structuring, fundraising, technical development, community engagement, government and stakeholder relations, etc.); c) Exposure to and understanding of the planning, preparation, implementation, and monitoring & evaluation of country-level energy development programmes in developing country contexts; d) Solid understanding of policy and regulatory issues, as well as public sector institutional capacity, required to enable DRE investments;
Engagement experience e) Demonstrated experience engaging with government counterparts related to renewable energy project development in developing country contexts; f) Strong network in the African off-grid electrification sector; g) Demonstrated experience working with business associations, preferably in the African renewable energy sector;
Experience with DFIs h) Solid understanding of the role of multi-lateral development banks, notably the African Development Bank and its special facilities such as SEFA, and relevant development and climate financing partners vis-à-vis developing renewable energy markets on the African continent; i) Prior experience with Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) or international commercial banks with exposure to appraisal, procurement and disbursement processes being desirable;
Project management/consulting experience j) Demonstrated experience designing, contracting, and managing a project team or external consulting firm; k) Demonstrated experience in key project preparation tasks (market assessment, policy and regulatory assessment, business model development, financial and operational modelling, impact modelling, financial structuring, fundraising, technical development, community and stakeholder engagement, strategic communications, etc.); l) Demonstrated experience being the focal point and/or team leader of an investment-related initiative related to mini-grids, renewable energy, and/or climate change;
General experience m) Demonstrated field experience in at least two African countries; n) Must be fluent in English and French with strong copyediting skills.
H. Supervisor
The consultant will report to SEFA’s Principal Green Mini-Grids Officer and SEFA Manager.
The consultant will submit monthly timesheets detailing the tasks performed and time allocated, no later than 3 days after the end of the month.
Consultancy Input Days
261.00
Qualifications
Qualification
Assessment
Regular Consultant
Less than 32 years old at the time of signing the contract and during contract execution
