Entity: Genser Energy Côte d’Ivoire SA (GECS)
Position: Senior Business Development Associate (Client Relationships)

Division / Department: Project Development (PDV) / Business Development (BD)

Location: Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire (West Africa) 

Report Directly to: Business Development Manager (BDM)

Designation Level: Functional Head

OBJECTIVE: The Senior Business Development Associate (Client Relationships) supports the Business Development Manager (BDM) in executing GECS's Côte d'Ivoire business development agenda and manages day-to-day relationships with offtakers, clients and key counterparties under active power and gas supply or transportation agreements. The role serves as the primary point of contact for routine commercial and contractual matters on existing accounts, monitors contract compliance, invoicing and payment performance, and maintains strong client relationships while escalating significant commercial matters, disputes or credit risks to the BDM. The role also supports the BDM on origination, market mapping, commercial analysis and preparation of new agreements, and works closely with Asset Dispatch / Reporting & Invoicing, Finance, Legal, Engineering and Project Development to ensure timely execution and high-quality client service.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Client Relationship Management

• Manage day-to-day relationships with offtakers, clients and key counterparties, including CIE and industrial/mining customers, under existing PPAs, concession agreements and gas contracts.
• Maintain regular contact with clients, understand their evolving needs, address routine matters and identify new opportunities.
• Maintain up-to-date key information on client accounts, contacts, ongoing matters, actions and commitments.
• Represent the company in client meetings, site visits and working sessions on routine matters, escalating significant issues to the BDM.

Contract Administration & Account Monitoring

• Monitor key contractual obligations, dates, deliverables, renewals and expiry milestones, and anticipate required actions.
• Coordinate with Asset Dispatch / Reporting & Invoicing and Finance to support accurate and timely invoicing and appropriate payment follow-up.
• Monitor late payments and credit risks, and support the BDM on collection or contract enforcement actions where required.
• Maintain organized and audit-ready documentation of contracts, correspondence, approvals and key contractual developments.
• Coordinate the onboarding of new clients and any contract amendments or renewals.

Business Development Support

• Support the BDM in originating and qualifying new opportunities, including through market mapping, research, commercial analysis and identification of prospective clients.
• Contribute to the preparation of term sheets, commercial proposals, Board notes, negotiation materials and documents required for new agreements and renewals.
• Support the BDM in the negotiation and implementation of PPAs, gas agreements, concession agreements and other commercial arrangements, within approved positions.
• Participate, as required, in industry forums and regulatory consultations.

Cross-Functional Coordination & Reporting

• Coordinate with Project Development, Engineering, Finance, Legal and operational teams to resolve routine matters and progress agreed actions.
• Prepare periodic updates for the BDM on accounts, contracts and opportunities, highlighting key risks, actions, deadlines and payment matters.
• Ensure disciplined follow-up of actions and deadlines arising from client meetings, internal reviews and contractual processes through to closure.
• Manage multiple accounts and business development workstreams simultaneously, with structured organization and follow-up.

Account & Pipeline Management

• Manage multiple assigned client accounts and business development workstreams simultaneously, with disciplined follow-up and strong attention to detail.
• Track actions and deadlines arising from client meetings, internal reviews and contract administration activities, and ensure effective closure.
• Contribute to the preparation of account plans and client engagement priorities in coordination with the BDM.
• Contribute to a collaborative working environment within Business Development and across the wider project and operations teams.

EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Economics, Law, or a related field and four years’ experience in the relevant role, including two years’ experience in a supervisory role. A BTS or equivalent qualification with eight years’ experience in the relevant role, including four years in a supervisory role.
• Fluency in French and English.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE AND EXPERIENCE:

• 4 to 6 years of experience in account management, contract administration, commercial management or business development, ideally within the power, energy or gas midstream sectors.
• Demonstrated experience managing relationships with offtakers, utilities or key clients, as well as monitoring commercial contracts, invoicing and payments.
• Good working knowledge of the Ivorian energy sector and its institutional and regulatory environment, including CIE, CI-ENERGIES, ANARE, the Ministry responsible for Energy and PETROCI, or the ability to build this knowledge quickly.
• Strong client relationship management skills and the ability to represent the company professionally with counterparties and external stakeholders.
• Good proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint and AI (Claude, ChatGPT, Copilote) with comfort analysing contracts, invoices, payment data and commercial tracking tools.

ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT 

• Propose training and development program for staff in line with technical and business needs. 
• Carry out performance appraisals and development plans with subordinate staff. 
• Coordinate the rotational schedule (on and off duty) of subordinate staff. 

KEY SKILLS:

• Communication: Communicate clearly and professionally with clients, counterparties, internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Execution & Organization: Manage multiple accounts, actions and deadlines simultaneously, with discipline, prioritization and timely delivery.
• Judgment & Escalation: Identify matters requiring BDM attention, including significant commercial or contractual issues, disputes and credit risks.
• Rigor & Attention to Detail: Maintain accurate, complete and audit-ready client and contract information and records.
• Coordination: Work effectively with multiple internal teams and external counterparts to progress assigned actions and matters.

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