The Programme Management Specialist supports the Africa Power and Renewable Energy Programme (APRA) International Office (IO) in implementing its strategy by focusing on external liaison, stakeholder engagement, partnership development, resource mobilization, and knowledge management. This role ensures effective communication, coordinates stakeholder activities, and supports the preparation of reports and proposals to advance APRA's objectives in energy and green industrialisation.
Functions / Key Results Expected
External Liaison, Stakeholder Engagement and Day-to-Day Relationship Management
- Maintain regular contact with key APRA stakeholders.
- Support the development and implementation of stakeholder engagement plans, ensuring timely information-sharing.
- Coordinate stakeholder engagement and communication activities (briefing calls, follow-up emails, meetings), ensuring effective preparation and follow-up.
- Ensure stakeholders are kept informed of activities, progress and planned deliverables.
- Maintain updated contact lists, engagement logs and records of meetings to support consistent and coherent external relations.
Development of Partnership Opportunities
- Monitor and analyse climate, energy, economic and development trends, as well as partner priorities, to help identify potential areas of collaboration.
- Research and systematise information on relevant events, initiatives, funding windows and publications to detect opportunities for engagement.
- Contribute to the preparation of concept notes, briefing materials and talking points to support the Director and team in external outreach.
- Support, as requested, the negotiation and formalisation of new partnerships and programmes.
Support to Resource Mobilization
- Regular updating of donor and partner mapping, including analysis of priorities, instruments and potential entry points for APRA.
- Support the proposal development process by drafting sections, consolidating technical inputs and ensuring data and figures are up to date.
- Assist in the identification of new project ideas in line with APRA strategy, country priorities and partner interest.
- Support the establishment of contacts with potential partners, including organising and documenting meetings, preparing summaries and agreed follow-up actions for internal use.
Representation and Communication Support
- Contribute to the preparation of materials, presentations and key messages for meetings, forums or events.
- When designated, participate in working groups or coordination meetings, providing agreed technical input and preparing follow-up notes for the APRA IO Director and team.
- Support communication and visibility activities for APRA partnerships.
Reporting, Data Collection and Analysis
- Support the preparation of donor reports, helping to ensure results-based and coherent reporting.
- Prepare inputs for ESAMCO quarterly assurance reporting for APRA IO and other internal reporting requirements, as requested.
- Collect and organise data on APRA IO activities, outputs and partnerships to inform reporting, briefings and presentations.
Knowledge Management and Innovation
- Contribute to creating a learning environment by sharing lessons learned from stakeholder engagement and partnership processes.
- Actively interact with the wider ESAMCO and UNOPS community, sharing relevant case studies, lessons learned and good practices.
- Stay abreast of latest developments and good practices in stakeholder engagement, partnership development and energy/green industrialisation, and participate in learning activities to advance own proficiency.
- Help ensure relevant lessons learned are captured and shared in a timely manner.
- Provide feedback to corporate and functional practice groups on policies, tools and systems related to partnership and external relations, to support continuous improvement.
Competencies
- Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organisation. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organisation.
- Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organisational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.
- Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.
- Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).
- Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.
- Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.
- Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.
- Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.
Education and Experience Requirements
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in a related discipline with 7 years of relevant experience OR
- Master's degree (or equivalent) in a related discipline with 5 years of relevant experience is required.
Experience:
- A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in institutional coordination, stakeholder engagement, external relations, project management or similar.
- Substantial experience working in multicultural teams in a developing-country context (preferably in Africa).
- Demonstrated experience liaising with government counterparts and/or international partners.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
