Career Openings at the African Development Bank Group (AfDB), 13th April, 2019

---

    Job Title: Principal Financial Management Operations Officer Reference: ADB/19/045 Location: Senegal Grade: PL4 Position N°: 50067834 The Complex

• The Senior Vice-Presidency (SNVP) is responsible for supporting the President in the day-to-day management of the Bank Group to achieve its strategic objective and drive performance culture that will align all processes and systems to deliver high impact results.
• The SNVP provides effective leadership and exceptional coordination to ensure implementation and monitoring of key corporate decisions as well as the identification of necessary corrective measures and actions. The SNVP leads Senior Management discussions, decision-making processes and the implementation of key Board and Management decisions.

The Hiring Department

• The SNVP supervises the Fiduciary and Inspection Department (SNFI), which is a custodian of the Procurement and Financial Management (FM) profession and has the following responsibilities : (i) developing and interpreting policy, strategy and related guidance notes and manuals; (ii) preparing annual post review reports on the Bank’s FM and procurement operations for the Board; (iii) developing training strategy for internal and external clients; (iv) dialoguing with external and global partners with a view to building partnerships and fostering harmonization; (v) providing the secretariat for the Procurement Review Committee (PRC) ; and (vi) inspecting and reporting on the performance of procurement and FM activities undertaken by the regions.
• The Local Principal Financial Management Operations Officer is responsible to ensure that financial management of Bank-financed projects are compliant with the Bank’s financial management policy. This is done by advising on financial management arrangements and reviewing financial management decisions within the project/program operations cycle from the identification to completion stages. The incumbent also contributes to the preparation of the Bank’s Country Strategy Paper, and to building Public Financial Management (PFM) capacity of Borrowers which includes training of Borrower staff, advising on project related financial management matters, and assessing and strengthening the Borrower’s PFM systems.
• The Local Principal Financial Management Operations Officer reports administratively to the Country Manager of Senegal (COSN) and functionally to the Division Manager-Financial Management for Central, North and West Regions (SNFI.2).

Duties and responsibilities Under the oversight and guidance of the Division Manager, Financial Management for Central, North and West Regions, and the direct technical supervision of the Regional Financial Management Coordinator, the Local Principal Financial Management Operations Officer will:

• During the project/program preparation and appraisal cycle missions, assess the adequacy of the Borrower’s project financial management systems and their ability to manage and monitor Bank financed projects. This includes budgeting, internal control, treasury management, accounting, financial reporting and external auditing;
• Attend negotiations and ensure Financial Management issues are taken into account in the financing agreement and other associated documentations;
• Participate in project/program launching missions to assist the project/program team in developing capacity building of the Executing Agencies in the area of financial management;
• Carry out supervision work to ensure that projects financial management systems are functioning appropriately, including the periodic review of project financial reports for financial performance;
• Review audited financial statements received, monitor the Borrower’s compliance with financial covenants including audit compliance, ensure adequate communication with the Borrower and the project implementing agencies with respect to audits and advise as appropriate;
• Provide advice and support to Borrowers and the Bank Project Teams on matters affecting financial management and disbursement on capacity building in projects and with public sector accountability institutions;
• Assess the selection and recruitment of external independent auditors, ensuring their suitability including their independence, and competence to perform;
• Provide financial management guidance for the development of technical assistance programs and evaluate and monitor their implementation;
• Play an active role in Public Financial Management diagnostic work and reforms action plans;
• Play an active role in Country Portfolio Performance Reviews (CPPRs) /Country Strategy Paper (CSPs) from the financial management perspective and draft the FM sections of the CPPR/CSP report;
• Undertake Financial Management Capacity building in Regional Member Countries and sector departments in the Bank;
• Play an active role in departmental or institutional task forces on developing and implementing changes to financial management policies and practices, fiduciary safeguards and the efficiency and effectiveness of business processes;
• Participate in donor coordination meetings and in country dialogue platforms between the country and the donors on the basis of the overall Bank’s strategy to support aid effectiveness;
• Undertake other activities, as appropriate, as requested by the Manager, Financial Management for Central, North and West Regions (SNFI.2).

Selection Criteria Including desirable skills, knowledge and experience:

• Hold a Master’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Economics or a related discipline and a professional accounting certification (CPA, CA, ACCA, Accountant);
• Have a minimum of six (6) years of relevant experience, with particular expertise in designing and supporting financial management operations of which at least three (3) in international financial Institutions;
• Experience in supporting financial management private sector operations would be an added advantage;
• An understanding of cross-cutting issues beyond financial management (e.g. procurement, governance, donors’ practices) at sector/country level;
• Expert knowledge of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs), International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS), International Standards on Auditing (ISA), International Standards of Supreme Audit Institutions (ISSAIs);
• Proven ability to implement country or sector level financial management analytical and capacity building initiatives;
• Strong planning, organization, and time management skills;
• Excellent analytical skills;
• Ability to be flexible, open-minded with integrity, client and results oriented for achieving both Bank’s and Borrowers’ objectives;
• Ability to work as part of a team, maintain effective and cooperative relations with sector specialists, national authorities as well as donors, and handle sensitive issues with discretion in a multicultural environment.
• Ability to communicate effectively (written and oral) in French with a working knowledge of the English language.
• Competence with standard MS Office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), preferably combined with knowledge and experience of SAP operations.

    Job Title: Senior Social Development Officer Reference: ADB/19/069 Location: Burundi Grade: LP5 Position N°: 50079244 The Complex

• The Vice Presidency for Regional Development, Integration and Business Delivery is responsible for operational relevance, efficiency and effectiveness of the Bank Group’s operational programs, and activities.
• This will ensure that the Bank operates successfully across its Regional Member Countries and oversee the full implementation of all aspects of the Bank’s Regional Directorates.

The Hiring Department/Division

• The regional development integration and business delivery hub for Eastern Africa oversees 14 regional member countries and five country offices. The country manager who is accountable to the director general for the Eastern Africa region leads the Burundi country office.
• The Social development Officer reports directly to the country manager, with technical oversight from the manager Agriculture, Industry and Human Development Division of the regional development Integration and Business Delivery Directorate for Eastern Africa.

The Position

• The Social Development Specialist will provide substantive technical and operational knowledge and support to the country manager Burundi Country Office to implement effective human capital development programmes/projects for poverty and inequality reduction.

Duties and responsibilities Under the supervision of the Country Manager for Burundi with technical oversight from the Regional Sector Manager, Agriculture, Industry and Human Development (RDGE.2), the social development Officer shall:

• Lead and contribute in developing new projects and programs as well as manage existing projects in the area of human capital development, encompassing human capital and employment/livelihoods; social protection and youth employment;
• Contribute to the enhancement of the Bank’s sectoral policies and strategies in key Social Development domains such as Human Capital and Skills Development Social Protection and Youth Employment;
• Prepare studies and analysis within the framework of approved economic and sectoral programmes to identify suitable projects, policies , priorities and institutional issues especially in relation to Human capital, Social protection, youth employment and gender equality;
• Engage in policy dialogue and provide advisory services to the government of Burundi on identified social protection issues;
• Contribute to the Country Strategy Papers by providing socio-economic analysis to recommendations to strengthen Bank responses to human capital development and other key social issues in the region or country.
• Develop partnerships with the private sector, multilateral and bilateral Agencies on issues relevant to the Directorate’s mandate.
• Perform any other related duties required by the Country Manager.

Selection Criteria Including desirable skills, knowledge and experience:

• Hold at least a Master’s degree or its equivalent in Business Development, Social Economics, Economics, Sociology, Law, Labour Economics, or any related field.
• Have a minimum of five (5) years of professional experience in human capital development sectors including skills development, social protection, and or youth employment programs.
• Demonstrated experience in engaging with senior government officials, private sector, development partners and other stakeholders;
• Demonstrable knowledge of Social Protection, Youth employment and other key social development issues as they relate to High Five 5: ‘Improving the living conditions of people in Africa’
• Advisory and policy advocacy expertise;
• Demonstrate a sound working knowledge of the operation of the organization as a business and the role of their business unit.
• Possess good knowledge and experience in socio-economic development policy, labour market issues, workforce productivity and gender equality, preferably in the design, development and implementation of projects/ programs;
• Experience in working directly in African Governments, private sector, CSOs, bilateral agencies, multilaterals and other stakeholders;
• Demonstrate competence in operational and participatory development methodologies including perspectives on gender, youth and disadvantaged groups;
• Strong quantitative and problem-solving skills and skill working with data sets;
• Proven experience developing mechanisms and tools to accurately determine population vulnerabilities and utilizing the results to contribute to the creation of impact driven technical institutional support or programs/projects;
• Write convincing and well-structured business documents and reports and ensures that all written communication is accurate well written and consistent
• Excellent spoken and written in English; a working knowledge of French will be advantageous.
• Competence in the use of standard Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint);
• knowledge of SAP is desirable

    Job Title: Secretary - Country Office Reference: ADB/19/061 Location: Niger Grade: GS6 Position N°: 50097485 The Complex

• The Bank has reorganized and is developing the Regional Development, Integration and Business Delivery Complex whose major objective is to build regional capabilities and bring responsibility for client activities closer to the regions.
• Five Regional Development, Integration and Business Delivery Hubs have been created, each run by a Director General: Southern Africa, North Africa, West Africa; East Africa, and Central Africa.

The Hiring Department/Division

• Within the Regional Development, Integration and Business Delivery (RDVP) Complex, the Bank has five (5) Regional Hubs, one in each region of Africa: North, South, East, West, and Central.  Each Regional Hub is headed by a Director General (DG) and is provided with the relevant sector functions and administrative capabilities for rapid delivery of services to client countries.  Regional Hubs provide country offices in their regions with strategic direction and are responsible for operations, business development, project management and the overall effective implementation of the Bank's High 5s, namely:  "Light up and Power Africa," "Feed Africa," "Industrialize Africa," "Integrate Africa" and "Improve the Quality of Life for the People of Africa."
• Country Offices of the African Development Bank have been established to strengthen policy dialogue between the Bank , Governments and other stakeholders; improve performance of the project portfolio and aid coordination with other development partners

The Position

• The Secretary will work closely with the Country Manager and the Team to provide administrative support. The incumbent of the position will help the Country Manager and the team to make the best use of his time by dealing with secretarial and administrative tasks.

Duties and responsibilities Under the Supervision of the Country Manager, the Secretary will perform the following:

• Make appointments for experts and other staff of the Country Office and keep their schedules up to date.
• Receive visitors and attend to them with tact and discretion.
• Prepare briefing material used by experts for official missions and special meetings.
• Handle protocol-related issues concerning reception of the visitors of experts and of the Office.
• Organize experts’ meetings; assist the Country Manager’s secretary in coordinating official receptions given by the Resident Representative.
• Participate in staff meetings, take notes and produce reports in the absence of the Country Manager’s secretary.
• Draft correspondence on non-substantive issues and ensure its follow-up.
• Manage the experts’ incoming and outgoing mail and the office’s telephone communication.
• Maintain an appropriate filing system; process experts’ back-to-office reports, ascertain the quality of documents requiring the approval and / or signature of experts and other staff members.
• Prepare and finalize draft correspondence (letters, faxes, etc. ...) concerning various aspects, on behalf of experts, prepare minutes of experts ‘meetings.

Selection Criteria Including desirable skills, knowledge and experience:

• Hold a minimum of a Bachelor's degree or its equivalent in Business Administration, Commerce, Administration or a related field, supplemented by training in secretarial functions/administration/office management.
• Have a minimum of four (4) years of relevant experience in progressive positions, attached to an executive’s office, preferably in an international organization.
• Be able to work under pressure and to prioritize in the dynamic setting of an international and multicultural setting. Ability to work and cooperate with others from diverse background.
• Handling speedily and efficiently internal and external requests.
• Ability to manage simultaneous and shifting demands, priorities and tight deadlines.
• Proficiency in the use of standard equipment (computer, fax, scanner, photocopies etc.).
• Demonstrable commitment to delivering excellent customer service focused reception and administration services.
• Be able to multi task, excellent problem solving skill and attention to detail.
• Effective communication; highly client oriented, good team working and relations.
• Ability to operate effectively in a multicultural organization.
• Good innovative and creative approaches to activities in order to enhance performance and create added benefits for the clients and the organization.
• Integrity and confidentiality.
• Proficiency in written and verbal communication in English or French, with a working knowledge of the other.
• Competence in the use of Bank standard software (Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint). Knowledge of SAP or other ERP systems would be an asset.

    Job Title: Senior Agriculture Officer Reference: ADB/19/068 Location: Kenya Grade: PL5 Position N°: 50001114 The Complex

• The Vice Presidency for Regional Development, Integration and Business Delivery is responsible for operational relevance, efficiency and effectiveness of the Bank Group’s operational programs, and activities.
• This ensures that the Bank operates successfully across its Regional Member Countries and oversee the full implementation of all aspects of the Bank’s Regional Directorates.

The Hiring Department/Division

• Within the Regional Development, Integration and Business Delivery Complex (RDVP), the Bank has five (5) Regional Development, Integration and Business Delivery (RDIBD) Directorates, one in each region of Africa:
• North, South, East, West, and Central. Each Regional Directorate is headed by a Director General (DG) and is staffed with the relevant sectoral functions and administrative capabilities for rapid delivery of services to client countries. The Regional Directorates provide overall strategic direction to country offices within the regions and are responsible for the Bank’s operations, business development, project management and overall effective delivery of the Bank’s High 5s of ‘Light up and Power Africa,’ ‘Feed Africa,’ ‘Industrialize Africa,’ ‘Integrate Africa,’ ‘Improve the Quality of Life for the People of Africa.’
• The position is situated in Kenya, in the Eastern Africa Regional Development and Business Delivery Office.

The Position The Senior Agriculture Officer is responsible for the origination, processing, supervision and general portfolio management of agriculture, livestock and natural resource management sector projects. He/She is expected to provide specialist advice and inputs to the Bank Group’s operational activities through review of technical design and institutional arrangements for agricultural projects/programmes proposed for Bank’s funding and assessing their feasibility from the perspective of present and future impact In this role, the incumbent interacts closely with other staff members in the following complexes; the Agriculture, Human and Social Development (AHVP), Private Sector, Infrastructure and Industrialization (PIVP); and Power, Energy, Climate and Green Growth (PEVP). In particular, the incumbent will be required to engage closely with the Agriculture and Agro-Industry Department (AHAI) and Agriculture Finance and Rural Development Department (AHFR), which provide strategic guidance for the implementation of the Bank’s Feed Africa Strategy and flagship programs, namely: The Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) Program, the ENABLE Youth Flagship, the Post-Harvest Loss and Agro-Processing (PHAP) Flagship, the Transformation of African Savannah Initiative (TASI), the Special Crop Processing Zones, the Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) Flagship, the Blue Economy Flagship, Leadership 4 Agriculture (L4Ag) initiative and/or other Flagships. The Senior Officer will be directly involved in the project development cycle from identification of opportunities in line with the Feed Africa High 5 to approval by the Bank’s Boards of Directors. Duties and responsibilities Under the overall direction and supervision of the Regional Sector Manager (RDGE2), the Senior Agriculture Officer will perform the following: Business Development and Project Origination:

• In line with the Bank’s Feed Africa Strategy, Country Strategy Papers and Regional Integration Strategy Papers, provide support to the Regional Member Countries (RMC), and lead/support Bank teams to identify, prepare, appraise and implement agriculture and livestock, agribusiness, agro-industry sub-sector operations projects.
• Identify, develop and support the financing of agriculture projects, which meet the objectives of the Feed Africa Strategy.
• Review the various proposals and communication sent to the Bank by its partners, clients and  take appropriate action, including issuing technical opinion on government submissions to the Bank, drafting of responses and/or reports / presentations and internal or external follow-up;
• Provide the required technical skills to design national and multinational projects that respond to the needs of the RMCs and regional economic communities based on their priorities and selectivity;
• Promote regional integration and donor coordination to promote complementarity in interventions in agriculture and rural development based on comparative advantages of different partners;
• Liaise with other development partners in order to identify opportunities for co-financing and other partnerships;

Technical Analysis, Project Design and Implementation:

• The Senior Agriculture Officer works across technical, geographic and institutional boundaries to support the delivery of development solutions for a diverse set of clients in the rural and urban space and in the public and private sectors in line with the Agricultural development, Agribusiness and Agro-Industry agenda of the African Development Bank Group. Using a value-chain approach, he/she will support:
• The implementation of this agenda in Regional Member Countries in the East Africa region, with specific focus on providing technical input for the design, and supervision of projects which:
  • Promote value chain development, value addition and primary and secondary processing of crops and livestock;
  • Catalyze private sector entry and growth in African agribusiness;
  • Promote agro-Small and Medium Enterprise growth and the commercialization of agriculture, particularly addressing access to finance needs, and create farm to fork market linkages; Facilitate the development of agro-poles and agro-processing hubs;
  • Support the development of an agribusiness enabling environment, and;
  • Facilitate investments in hard infrastructure (including roads, markets and irrigation), soft infrastructure (human capital, i.e., trained potential employees, information and communication technology, etc.); enable policies and reforms, for transformation of African agriculture into viable, profitable businesses.
• Contribute to solving issues related to the agriculture sector development including advice to RMCs for promoting policies conducive to strong growth/development of the agriculture sector , including creation of an enabling environment for private sector investments in agribusiness;
• Work closely with agricultural sector experts in the headquarters (AHAI/AHFR) and private sector experts at the Bank to scale up investments in agribusiness and will design and coordinate the delivery of client solutions and all project management aspects of the deployment of such solutions.
• Contribute to the delivery of flagships as required to ensure delivery of the Feed Africa objectives;
• Support in collaboration with AHAI/AHFR, the development of projects for increased agricultural opportunities and agro-industrial development of the east Africa region;
• Carry out technical, economic and sector analysis that will guide and support both public and private sector investments in agriculture;
• Support wide-scale deployment of innovative farmer extension models; support effective private sector-led approaches to the provision of farmer extension services (farmer e-registration and input supplies).
• Design projects that are able to utilize public sector resources to leverage private sector capital for increased private investment in the agriculture sector, including creating off-take arrangements between smallholder farmers and private sector agribusiness;
• Support the structuring of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) agribusiness projects, to catalyze private sector investment;
• In relation to the Bank’s country and regional strategies, identify, prepare, appraise and supervise related agriculture and agro industry sub-sector operations.
• Assist Regional Member Countries to radically boost their agro industries as a platform for job creation, improved livelihood and broad-based economic growth and development;
• Undertake analysis and sector studies to orient the Bank’s strategy of intervention in the area of agriculture and agro industry development for Africa;
• Contribute with technical inputs to Bank Group’s operational activities relating agriculture  and agro-industrial development, through the review of the technical design and institutional arrangements for agricultural programmes proposed for Bank’s funding;
• Set up and maintain strategic collaboration with relevant partners in the area of agriculture, livestock and agribusiness/agro-industry;
• Undertake any other assignments as may be assigned by the Division Manager and/or senior management.

Portfolio Management:

• Manage an array of projects within the portfolio of the Bank’s investments in the assigned area of responsibility.
• Provide effective periodic reports to Management on the disposition of the portfolio under management.
• Identify synergies and propose interventions that promote the sustained feasibility of the projects under management.
• Ensure the follow-up of recommendations emanating from supervision, mid-term reviews, portfolio reviews and accounts audit missions on projects/programmes, paying the necessary attention to project monitoring and evaluation
• Review bidding documents, bid evaluation reports, quarterly progress reports, request for extension of contracts or LDD (Last Disbursement Date);
• Collaborate with other Banks’ Units in reviewing the operations performance, preparing completion reports, etc., so as to ensure that the lessons drawn from the implementation of past operations are taken into account in new projects.
• Provide technical, and policy advice to management and professional staff of the Bank's member countries during the implementation of the project, particularly in the area of procurement, and general management of  projects

Complexity:

• The Senior Officer will plan, develop and mobilize the required finance for projects that contribute to the objectives of the Feed Africa Strategy.
• He/she will also, support all aspect of rural development activities in the RMCs including natural resource management programs in strategic agro-ecological zones. In addition the job would involve the roll out of Feed Africa flagship projects through agriculture and agro-industry projects in RMCs.

Selection Criteria Including desirable skills, knowledge and experience:

• Hold at least a master’s degree in Agricultural Economics, Agronomy, Rural Development, Agriculture,  Agricultural Finance, or Development Finance; proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office
• Have a minimum of four (4) years of extensive progressive experience in an internationally recognized financial, development institution, or a private agribusiness company.
• Knowledge of agriculture and agribusiness concepts and challenges facing the African continent;
• Capacity to analyze trends, constraints, policies, institutions and provide technical support to related agribusiness and agro-industries sectors;
• Ability to design appropriate agriculture, livestock related and natural resource management programs for solving issues in the sector;
• Ability to identify the appropriate methods and techniques, conduct economic studies and present the results;
• Extended and relevant experience in project formulation and technical backstopping;
• Ability to work in a team and in a multicultural environment;
• Ability to work effectively in partnership with client contacts and seek feedback to improve work processes;
• Ability to communicate and write effectively in French, with a good working knowledge of English;
• Proficiency in the use of standard Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint); knowledge of SAP is desirable.
• Ability to work effectively with other technical and management professionals of diverse occupational and ability to work under pressure, prioritize work, and handle multiple tasks simultaneously and coordination of work programs and resources and lead teams.
• Strategic vision: Ability to undertake sound analysis (skills and methods), in order to conceptualize future work or organizational changes and develop strategies for change which includes strategic mindset and capacity to translate strategic thinking into a compelling plan of action of a large international institution. Proven exposure to the Bank’s operations and mission with a sound understanding of the Bank’s overall strategy.
• Client orientation: Ability to work in partnership with a broad range of client contacts and demonstrate commitment to results that are in the client’s best interest ; ability to build partnerships with a broad range of clients and deliver results that meet the needs and long term interests of clients within and outside the institution.
• Team leadership:  Ability to build and lead a motivated and committed team and utilize talent and expertise of team members in a productive way as well as evidence of ability to build and lead motivated and committed teams across functional boundaries. Demonstrated ability to ensure the timely accomplishment of tasks in the Department by giving valuable advices and providing constructive feedback Ability to develop a successful leadership style to establish and achieve exceptional organization performance and the ability to handle multiple responsibilities in a fast paced environment; Strong managerial skills, including interpersonal communication and client-orientation ;
• Communication and interpersonal skills: Strong interpersonal skills. Capacity to influence and inspire confidence; Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and/or French with a good working knowledge of the other language; ability to speak with confidence and conviction, build and present a rational case to win support for ideas; ability to develop effective relationships inside and outside the institution, promote collaboration and deal constructively with conflict and disagreement.

---