Senior Programme Officer- Energy Planning and Modelling WAPP

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT: SENIOR PROGRAMME OFFICER- ENERGY PLANNING AND MODELING WEST AFRICAN POWER POOL VA/AUDA-NEPAD/26/03

The African Union (AU) established as a unique Pan-African continental body, is charged with spearheading Africa’s rapid integration and sustainable development by promoting unity, solidarity, cohesion and cooperation among the people of Africa and the African States as well as developing a new partnership worldwide. Its Headquarters is located in Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia.

The New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) is a programme of the African Union adopted in 2001 in Lusaka, Zambia, aimed primarily at poverty alleviation and promotion of economic growth and sustainable development in Africa. As a consequence of the integration of NEPAD into the structures and processes of the African Union, the NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency (NPCA) has been established by the Decision of the 14th AU Assembly of February 2010 as the technical body of the African Union, in replacement of the NEPAD Secretariat.

NEPAD Agency has transformed into the African Union Development Agency. The aim of the African Union reforms is to streamline and improve effectiveness and efficiency in delivering the implementation of AU decisions, policies and programmes across all AU organs and institutions. One of the recommendations of the reforms is to transform the technical body of the AU, the NEPAD Agency into the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD). The decision was made during the 31st Ordinary Session of the Assembly of African Union Heads of State and Government in Nouakchott, Mauritania, in July 2018.

AUDA-NEPAD is an African-owned and led continental agency, spearheading Agenda 2063. The decision on the African Union Development Agency is an affirmation by Member States of their commitment to own an instrument that will champion development support to countries and regional bodies in advancing their priorities through the implementation of Agenda 2063.

1. To coordinate and execute priority regional and continental projects to promote regional integration towards the accelerated realization of Agenda 2063;
2. To strengthen the capacity of African Union Member States and regional bodies;
3. To advance knowledge-based advisory support;
4. To undertake the full range of resource mobilization, and
5. To serve as the continent’s technical interface with all Africa’s development stakeholders and development partners.

Based on the Host Agreement between the Government of the Republic of South Africa and the African Union for AUDA-NEPAD to serve as the interim AU Office Operating outside the African Union Headquarters, AUDA-NEPAD Agency hereby invites applicants who are citizens of African Union Member States for the following position:

A. Post
Job Title: Senior Program Officer- Energy Planning and Modeling WAPP
Position Level: P3
Duty Station: Abomey Calavi, Benin
Supervisor: Principal Program Officer - Energy AUDA-NEPAD and the Head of Division – Planning, Studies and Projects Financing WAPP

B.Key Performance Areas
Under the supervision of the Principal Programme Officer - Energy AUDA-NEPAD and the Head of Division – Planning, Studies and Projects Financing WAPP, the Senior Programme Officer Energy Planning and Modeling provides direct support to WAPP Secretariat and ensures coordination of WAPP’s contributions to the development and implementation of the Continental Power System Master Plan (CMP) for the realization of the African Single Electricity Market (AfSEM). She/he will support projects preparation towards bankability under the energy sector part of the flagship initiatives of the Regional Economic Communities (RECs), AUDA-NEPAD, and AU Commission, such as Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA PAP II); CMP, and other projects under the ECOWAS Power Generation and Transmission master plan (ECOWAS Master Plan).

Specifically, the incumbent will:

1. Develop an annual Work Plan, based on a logical framework of activities, to implement and monitor the implementation of CMP and the “shortlist” of the PIDA PAP WAPP Energy projects, based on relevant indicators, baselines, targets, outputs/deliverables, and expected outcomes.
2. Support and coordinate WAPP Secretariat Experts/staff in gathering data and inputs for the development of CMP and ECOWAS master plan development.;
3. Fully participate in all trainings related to CMP modeling (Eviews, MESSAGE, SPLAT, PSS/E) and the practical modeling of WAPP elements related to the CMP during or after these trainings.
4. Support WAPP Secretariat in developing the regional models (i.e. Demand Forecasting, Generation & Transmission Planning) using the various software packages selected by the power pools for modeling purposes (i.e.i.e E-Views, SPLAT/MESSAGE, PLEXOSessage and PSS/SS-E);.
5. Collaborate with project owners to prepare and submit grant applications and Project Information Memorandum (PIMs), to Project Preparation Facilities/Funds (PPFs) – for project preparation/development, and structuring/transaction support for the PIDA projects.
6. Organizes workshops, webinars, and other meetings and events to promote the CMP and PIDA projects and engage stakeholders on thematic issues related to implementation.
7. Prepare project briefs, concept notes, talking points, and other documentation as needed internally by the Division and management.
8. Collaborate with CMP Coordinator, other regional experts, and PIDA M&E focal point at AUDA-NEPAD to prepare consolidated half-yearly and annual reports illustrating the state of the CMP and PIDA implementation and infrastructure development in WAPP, and the extent of the impact of the PIDA investments in accelerating regional infrastructure development and regional integration in Africa
9. Prepare on a quarterly basis - Progress Report - analyzing and updating the status of and movement of the CMP;.
10. Prepare and submit reports for both internal and external stakeholders as required.;
11. Perform any other related duties as may be assigned by the supervisor.

C. Required Skills and Competencies

• Demonstrate experience in designing and analyzing large-scale integration of renewables (wind, solar, hydro, etc.), large power system studies, and HVDC systems.
• Demonstrate knowledge and have modeling experience of at least demand forecasting, generation planning, and transmission planning.
• Demonstrate extensive experience in power system analysis, including load flow, contingency, voltage stability, short circuit, optimal power flow, small-signal, and transient dynamic analyses.
• Demonstrate knowledge and have experience of at least one key value-chain activity of the project preparation cycle.
• Proven experience in the use of generation and/or transmission planning software tools, minimum experience of 3 years using modeling software such as E-Views, SPLAT, MESSAGE, PSS-E, DIgSILENT PowerFactory or MATLAB SimPowerSystems or NEPLAN or CYME (PSAF) or PLEXOS, or other similar energy modeling tools.
• Experience in regional (across countries) generation and transmission planning, with minimum experience in 1 power systems planning project.
• Experience working with the African Union Member States, Continental Bodies, Regional Economic Communities, Power Pools, International Organizations, Development Partners, and Development Finance Institutions on energy.
• Sound knowledge and experience in project finance, and/or project management.
• Excellent proven knowledge and experience of Infrastructure public-private partnerships (PPP) modalities.
• Ability to work under minimal supervision with sound judgment and tight deadline delivery.
• High level of integrity and accountability, flexible approaches to work coupled with enthusiasm, commitment and energy.
• Sound knowledge of Continental and Regional Priority Infrastructure Projects and Programs such as Agenda 2063, PIDA, etc.
• Ability to perform multiple tasks and work under pressure with a wide range of individuals and institutions.
• Ability to work in a Multicultural and Multilingual environment.
• Excellent Presentation, report writing, and communication skills.

D. Education and Experience:

Master’s degree in Electrical Power Engineering, Electro-mechanical engineering, Energy planning, or a related with seven (7) years of work experience, preferably in an infrastructure development-related environment with 3 years at a supervisory level within public sector institutions or similar organizations nationally, regionally, and/or internationally.
Gold
Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Power Engineering, Electro-mechanical engineering, Energy planning, or a related with ten (10) years of work experience, preferably in an infrastructure development-related environment public sector institutions or similar organizations nationally, regionally, and/or internationally.

E. Language requirement: Proficiency in one of the following African Union working languages ​​is a requirement; English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Kiswahili, and Arabic. Knowledge of one or more of the other AU working languages ​​would be an added advantage.

F. Tenure of Appointment: The appointment will be made on an AU Fixed-term contract for a period of twenty-three (23) months, of which the first six (6) months will be considered as a probationary period. This will be renewable subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds.

G. Gender Mainstreaming: AUDA-NEPAD is an equal-opportunity employer, and qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

H. Application: To apply, please submit the following:

• A motivation letter stating reasons for seeking employment with AUDA-NEPAD.
• A detailed and updated curriculum vitae (CV), not exceeding five (5) pages
• and indicating your nationality, age, and gender.
• Three (3) referees with good knowledge of the candidate’s work, providing full contact details, telephone, and e-mail addresses.
• Certified copies of degrees and diplomas.

I. Remuneration: Indicative basic salary of US$42,018.78 per annum plus other entitlements e.g. Post Adjustment (55% of basic salary), Housing allowance ($19,530.00 per annum), gratuity (15% of gross salary) in conformity with the rules and procedures applicable to internationally recruited staff of the African Union.

J. Applications must be received no later than Monday, 30 March 2026. Click the link to apply:

https://e-recruitment.nepad.org:44310/sap/bc/webdynpro/sap/hrrcf_a_start...

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. If you face challenges during profile creation or application, log your problem to audahiring@nepad.org

AUDA-NEPAD is a vision and strategic framework for Africa’s renewal that is based on a shared understanding that it is imperative to eradicate poverty and position African countries on the road to sustained economic growth and development. AUDA-NEPAD works closely with the African Union Commission (AUC), regional economic communities, national governments, research institutions and civil society organizations in its attempts to eradicate poverty in Africa whilst also voicing Africa´s concerns at the global level. For more information go to: www.nepad.org