Job Openings at African Development Bank Group (AfDB, 14th November, 2019


African Development Bank Group (AfDB) - Established in 1964, the African Development Bank is the premier pan-African development institution, promoting economic growth and social progress across the continent. There are 80 member states, including 54 in Africa (Regional Member Countries). The Bank’s development agenda is delivering the financial and technical support for transformative projects that will significantly reduce poverty through inclusive and sustainable economic growth. We are recruiting to fill the position below:   Job Title: Regional Program Officer (RPO), RDNG Reference: ADB/19/218 Location: Abuja, Nigeria Grade: PL3 Position N°: 50066410 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. The Vice‑Presidency for Regional Development 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
  • Within the Regional Development, Integration and Business Delivery Complex (RDVP), the Bank has five (5) Regional Development, Integration and Business Delivery 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 and Improve the Quality of Life for the People of Africa.
  • The Nigeria Country Department has been established as a special Country Office with a mandate similar to the Regional Development, Integration and Business Delivery Directorates, to oversee the Bank’s operations in Nigeria.
The Position
  • The Regional Program Officer (RPO) for Nigeria is a key member of the Senior Director’s Management Team with a focus on business development, portfolio management, and program support responsibilities. The incumbent provides support and advice to the Senior Director in designing the country work program, and in coordinating the delivery, portfolio performance management and results management in the implementation of the Bank’s Ten-Year Strategy (TYS), the High5’s Agenda, and the Country Strategy Paper (CSP).
  • The Regional Program Officer (RPO) provides advice on strategic options for revenue generation and cost efficiencies of Bank’s operations and strategies. In performing this role, the RPO is expected to ensure the maintenance of a robust performance management system, with a strategic focus on performance for results. Ultimately, the incumbent provides the Senior Director and Country Operations Manager with a standardized channel of information in respect to the implementation of the programmes of the Nigeria Country Office. The incumbent provides a direct and indirect operational input that contributes to the delivery of the key performance targets of the department and facilitate detailed high frequency reporting (dashboard) on the progress of work programs and relevant Bank initiatives.
  • The Regional Program Officer (RPO) also provides support in quality assurance, for quality at entry of Bank operations, and contribute towards strategy formulation and the day-to-day administration of the Office.
Duties and Responsibilities The  Regional Program Officer is based in Nigeria, and the incumbent reports to the Senior Director. It is key to providing support and follow-up of business development and delivery and portfolio performance for results. Under the overall guidance of the Senior Director, the Regional Program Officer has the following main duties : Coordination of Portfolio Management and Country Programming:
  • Monitor and advise the Senior Directoron the management of key performance indicators on portfolio performance, country program, Bank priorities and result indicators;
  • Continuously review country operations and work programs to ensure that they are aligned to the implementation of the Bank’s Development Business and Delivery Model (DBDM) as well as the Ten Year Strategy (TYS) and its High Five priorities;
  • Provide advice to the Bank and to the Country with a special focus on addressing Fragility situation as appropriate and supporting climate resilient development in the country.
  • Support all aspects of portfolio management, sovereign and non-sovereign, to ensure quality at entry and during implementation, including performance monitoring, in line with Bank corporate policies, strategies, guidelines and directives;
  • Coordinate the work of sector staff to ensure sound analysis and monitoring of portfolio developments including through regular reviews of country and regional portfolios with a view to identifying issues and proposing options for their resolution;
  • Lead the preparation of the annual Country Portfolio Performance Reviews (CPPR); in collaboration with the Lead Economist, Country Economist and Sector Staff, work more closely with the regional economic communities to coordinate and monitor multinational programs with a focus on delivery on regional integration;
  • Provide effective oversight to project task teams on quality and compliance with Bank operational processes and procedures (including referring them to the relevant responsible staff in fiduciary, legal, safeguards, or other specialized areas);
  • Ensure that activity reports and audit reports comply with Bank requirements and are submitted on time Initiate the necessary corrective actions to address all audit findings successfully and prevent any repeat thereof;
Coordination of Non-Lending Activities:
  • Advise the Senior Director and on strategic options as may be deemed necessary to improve revenue generation and/or cost efficiencies. Play a lead role in the yearly business planning and budgeting process, liaising with other departments/units as needed and advising on the exercise to ensure that work programmes are well constructed and aligned with Bank’s priorities that include but is not limited to income generation & operational priorities.
  • In collaboration with the Lead Economist and Country Economist, coordinate the preparation and exercise quality control for the briefing documents, such as for the Annual Meetings or for ad hoc events such as high-level management visits to the countries;
  • Provide inputs to country and regional strategies and monitor the implementation of these strategies and, in coordination with the Lead Economist, Regional Integration Coordinator , and Country Teams, and report on progress as needed to the Senior Director. The role also advises task teams on context and lending operations.
Stakeholders Management:
  • Provide support to the Country Operations Manager and Senior Director to perform high level engagement and dialogue with Diplomatic, Senior Government Officials at both Federal and State levels, Ministry and Presidential representative to further the interest and mandate of AfDB.
  • Actively supports the Senior Director and Country Operations Manager to manage relationships with government and other Development Partners (DPs).
  • Advise clients on issues that may impact the achievement of project outcomes (including issues of sustainability and post project requirements such as maintenance).
  • Initiate and support resource mobilization in the country and follow up on related works, including counterpart contributions, co-financing opportunities, as well as Country Policy and Institutional Assessments.
Knowledge Management:
  • Actively interact with task managers/relevant Bank units and the PIUs/government agencies to share case studies, lessons learned and best practice on the portfolio management;
  • Provide feedback to the Senior Director, Country Operations Manager and other staff on Bank policies, strategies and operational procedures, with an aim towards continuous improvement of Bank policies implementation;
  • Coordinate capacity building, to enable the country to engage with key actors involved in the country’s sustainable, inclusive and green development;
AfDB Visibility:
  • Support the Senior Director’s efforts to improve the Bank’s visibility in the country;
  • Represent and provide visibility for and including through organizing/participating in high profile events such as senior level visits, interviews, seminars, business events and conferences;
Selection Criteria
  • Hold at least a Master's degree or its equivalent in Economics, Social Sciences, Engineering, Agriculture/Forestry, Business Administration, Public Administration and knowledge of development issues.
  • Have a minimum of seven (7) years of relevant professional experience in the formulation and implementation of policies, programs and projects either within the Bank, with a similar development institution or in the Public service.
  • Demonstrated experience in project development and implementation, in a multilateral financial institution with special focus on at least one of the sectors in the assigned Division.
  • Experience with working in a team oriented, multi-cultural, multi-disciplinary, international and professional environment.
  • Experience in leading and developing teams and managing projects and programmes;
  • Experience in the practice of procurement of goods/works, and the acquisition of consultancy services under donor funding conditions;
  • Relevant and required experience gained on the African continent;
  • Experience gained within multilateral development finance institutions.
  • Demonstrated experience in the preparation and/or review of operations in a multilateral financial institution;
  • Innovative & Creative: searches for and produces innovative and creative approaches to activities in order to enhance performance and create added benefits to the Bank and its clients.
  • The commitment to ensure that full use is made of the systems, procedures and culture within the organization in order to deliver the required results.
  • Ability to work under pressure in a multicultural and distributed organization.
  • Ability to apply knowledge for the resolution of problems and solutions and manage multiple competing priorities to the benefit of the client (internal and external) and the organization.
  • Client Orientation: Demonstrated commitment in ensuring that the client (internal or external) is considered of primary importance in all transactions and interactions. Strives to be understanding, and when appropriate, anticipates client needs, and ensures that the client receives the best possible service from the Bank.
  • First-rate interpersonal skills with ability to present and win support for ideas; a good listener with cultural sensitivity, commitment to diversity and capacity to initiate and manage innovations, creativity, and change.
  • Communication - Ability to provide clear and concise oral and written communication; presents oral information with clarity and appropriate style and adapts language and style to suit the requirements of the audience. Ability to communicate and defend orally and in writing difficult issues and positions (in hostile environment as necessary) to Senior Bank management & government officials.
  • Negotiation - Highly developed negotiation skills proven to yield positive outcomes with senior counterparts, both internal and external, and understands when and how to apply diplomacy, influence, maintain a hard line, make or break contacts, understand unwritten lines of influence and conduct oneself accordingly.
  • Professional Expertise: Continuously expands understanding of relevant business products, practices and systems/technology. Shares knowledge and expertise with others.
  • Relationship management - Ability to build successful teams, relationships and partnerships with a broad range of clients, internal and external, for effective delivery of results that meet the needs and long-term interests of clients within and outside the institution. Ability to develop strong working relationships with colleagues and contribute to the creation of a positive working and team environment in areas of responsibility. Influential: Applies the competency when engaging with internal stakeholders within in the Bank and external stakeholders, understanding what motivates them and when beneficial and practical, how to navigate through resistance.
  • Decisive: Good judgement about when to intervene, knowing when to get counsel from whom and how to apply it, and being clear about what needs to happen, how, when and by whom, and coordinating as needed.
  • Take Initiative/Spotting Opportunity/Pushing Strategy: Applying a proactive rather than a passive mind-set, looking in and also outside the box and beyond what is immediately apparent, identifying opportunities that are clear and may be hidden, formulating approach strategy and turning it into an action plan.
  • Highly organized & structured – Structure all work activities to be able to provide updates or reports on short notice. Capacity to coordinate (Tasks, Missions, Projects, Programs): Routinely delivers, highly complex/sensitive tasks.
  • Communicate verbally and write effectively in English or French, with a good working knowledge of the other language.
  • Competences in the use of standard Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint); knowledge of SAP is desirable.
Business Acumen:
  • Comprehensively understands projects structures, including project planning, risk management strategy, issue management strategy, communication management strategy, lessons learned and handover, and other critical success factors, strategies, policies, procedures and practices of other similar institutions.
  • Acute knowledge and understanding of the elements essential for the effective delivery and measurement of development impacts through projects and programs in Africa.
  • Ability to identify and create meaningful linkages across sectors to drive development impact at a country and regional level.
  • Operational Effectiveness: Ensures full use of the systems, procedures and culture within the organization in order to deliver the required results.
Implementing Strategy:
  • Ability to make use of the Bank’s Highly developed strategic thinking skills allied to an ability to translate strategic concepts and direction into the implementation of workable and sustainable projects and programs.
  • Ability to define and effectively drive portfolio management activities under uncertain and challenging circumstances.
  • systems and procedures for operational effectiveness and achievement of the Bank’s strategic imperatives in the assigned sectors.
Executing for Results:
  • High level of expertise in managing portfolio performance
  • High level of expertise in leading dialogue for finding solutions to remove constraints to effective implementation of projects.
  • Demonstrated ability to take prudent intervention risks.
  • Make effective, timely and well-determined interventions for results delivery.
  • Ability to work under pressure in a multicultural and distributed organization.
  • Client and results orientation, with strong analytical and communication (both verbally and in writing) skills, responsiveness, sense of accuracy and attention to detail.
  • Ability to build successful teams, relationships and partnerships with a broad range of clients, internal and external, for effective delivery of results that meet the needs and long-term interests of clients within and outside the institution.
Method of Application Interested and qualified candidates should: Click here to apply online   Job Title: Senior Transport Engineer, RDGC1 Reference: ADB/19/214 Location: Kinshasa, Congo Grade: LP5 Position N°: 50067772 The Complex
  • The Bank has been reorganized and has established the Regional Development, Integration and Service Delivery Complex, whose main objective is to build regional capacity and devolve responsibility for the operations to the regions for the benefit of the clients. Five Regional Development, Integration and Service Delivery Platforms have been created, each led by a Director General. These are: Southern Africa, North Africa, West Africa, East Africa and Central Africa.
The Hiring Department
  • The Bank's various field offices fall under one of five (5) regional development, integration and service delivery platforms. The platform oversees a cluster of field and liaison offices, as well as countries where the Bank does not have offices. The Deputy Director General reports to the Director General on the activities of the region to which they are assigned. Each platform will host relevant operations, project implementation and business development functions and administrative capacity in a shared service for rapid deployment in different countries, to contribute to the Bank's effectiveness in the field.
  • The African Development Bank's country offices were created to strengthen the strategic dialogue between the Bank, governments and other stakeholders, to improve project portfolio performance and to coordinate aid with other development partners in Africa.
The Position
  • Under the supervision of the Division Manager, Regional Operations - Energy, Infrastructure and Financial Sector (RDGC.1), the incumbent will be in charge of all project management and loan administration activities related to transport infrastructure and urban development of the Bank Group's portfolio in Democratic Republic of the Congo as defined in the country office functions and responsibilities, including the coordination of related programs with the Government, civil society and local bodies, the private sector and development partners.
Duties and Responsibilities The incumbent will, in particular:
  • Contribute to the preparation and evaluation of strategies and policies for the development of infrastructure sectors (transport, urban infrastructure, etc.)
  • Participate in the preparation of terms of reference and follow-up of studies relevant to the infrastructure sectors, contribute to the review of study reports and propose to the Bank actions to be taken ;
  • Participate in missions relating to the identification, preparation and evaluation of studies, infrastructure projects / programmes, urban development and reform support programmes in these sectors in support of the Bank's strategy and contribute to the writing and reviewing of reports;
  • Support heads of the executing agencies with advice and expertise on the issues, constraints and priorities of the aforementioned sectors, technical aspects of the projects and Bank rules and procedures, particularly with regard to the acquisition of property, works and services and disbursement procedures;
  • Supervise projects; play an important role in monitoring the progress of projects; supervise and monitor the procurement of goods, works and services in accordance with Bank rules in this area; review borrowers' submissions, prepare bids, analyze bidding documents and recommendations for contract award, review contract documents; review and analyze data submitted by borrowers, verify and approve disbursement contract clauses, ensure that regional member countries prepare project completion reports (PCRs) upon completion of projects;
  • Provide expertise in the review of bid evaluation reports and conduct the evaluation of technical and financial proposals for contracts related to project implementation;
  • Follow up on recommendations made in the supervision, mid-term review, portfolio review and audit reports, with due attention to project monitoring / evaluation;
  • Contribute to strengthening coordination and dialogue with other donors on activities related to infrastructure projects / programs;
  • Represent the Bank in national conferences, seminars and workshops and participate in meetings and conferences dealing with issues related to the infrastructure sector;
  • Participate in meetings and conferences related to donor coordination, sector approaches, which will guide the Country Office Manager, Sector Division and Management on strategic issues in the infrastructure and urban development sector;
  • Contribute, with the structure in charge of monitoring public investments (DPSSI) in relation with the planning structures of the technical departments, to monitor and evaluate the impact of the projects on Democratic Republic of the Congo's economic and social development.
Selection Criteria
  • Hold at least Master's degree or its equivalent in Civil Engineering or Public Works;
  • Have a minimum of at least five (5) years of relevant work experience preferably in a development finance institution, a project executing agency, or a state agency responsible for implementing projects financed by international donors;
  • Capable of working under pressure and setting priorities within a dynamic framework of an international and multicultural environment. Ability to work and cooperate with people of diverse backgrounds;
  • Experience in supporting the private sector will be an additional asset;
  • Sound mastery of strategies aimed at achieving transformative projects that will significantly reduce poverty; Good knowledge of key issues related to aid effectiveness, in particular, the harmonization of donor practices and their alignment with borrower systems;
  • Knowledge of COSTAB, HDM.4 and mastery of SAPwill be an asset;
  • Capable of communicating effectively both in writing and orally in English or French, with a working knowledge of the other language;
  • Competence in the use of Bank standard software (Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint). Knowledge of SAP or other ERP systems would be an asset.
Method of Application Interested and qualified candidates should: Click here to apply online   Job Title: Division Manager, Corporate Procurement (CHGS.2) Reference: ADB/19/215 Location: Abidjan, Cote d'ivoire Grade: PL2 Position N°: 50092477 The Complex
  • The Vice-Presidency, Human Resources and Corporate Services (CHVP) Complex ensures the delivery of efficient, people-centered, client-oriented, corporate services to ensure overall institutional effectiveness in all aspects of the Bank’s corporate services.
  • The Complex leads efforts to ensure the competitiveness of the Bank as the employer of choice and is responsible for providing leadership in the formulation and implementation of Bank’s strategies on people, IT, general services and institutional procurements, language services, business continuity, and health and safety strategies.
The Hiring Department/Division
  • The Corporate General Services and Procurement is one of the vehicles for delivering the services, goods, works, and real estate to the clients of the Bank.
  • The Corporate Procurement Division, CHGS.2 is entrusted with the strategic, operational and oversight responsibility for the execution of corporate procurements within the Bank in accordance with the Presidential Directive, policy and Delegation of Authority. The Division is responsible for the formulation, application of the formulation, application and evaluation of procedures and practices covering purchasing and contracting for goods, works and services for the Bank.
The Position
  • Under the direction of the President, the Division Manager will drive a new corporate culture that rewards creativity and innovation and attracts and retains a world class workforce into the Bank.
  • The Division Manager is responsible for all corporate procurement activities within the Bank:
    • Set long-term vision for the Corporate Procurement function and operationalize it through strategies, policies, directives and procedures.
    • Plan, organize, control and direct the activities of the Corporate Procurement Division to provide strategic orientations in the area of the Bank’s internal procurement of goods, works and services and contract management.
    • Organize, coordinate and manage all activities related to the development and implementation and monitoring the policies, procedures and practices of the corporate procurement services.
    • Ensure that procurement activities are carried out in accordance with relevant policy, directive and procedures in order to achieve optimum efficiency, cost effectiveness and timely completion of the Bank’s requirements. This includes ensuring that the Bank’s procurement systems and processes are efficient and enable the achievement of Value for Money.
    • Represent management on Corporate Procurement issues / reporting to the Bank’s senior management and the Board of Directors.
    • People Management and Leadership within the team
Duties and Responsibilities Under the general Supervision of the Director of General Services and Procurement the Division Manager’s principal accountabilities are as follows:
  • Provide day to day leadership, defining the vision and longer-term strategy for the corporate procurement function to achieve the optimization and exceptional customer service required of the Division.
  • Supervise sourcing activity and related procurement processes for value for money and policy compliance.
  • Plan, strategize, and lead negotiations of all financial agreements with suppliers and conducting pre-bid meetings. Oversee preparation of support documents and lead presentations of procurement files to the Purchasing Committee.
  • Manage the records of all procurements and a database of potential suppliers of goods and services and works by putting in place adequate systems.
  • Business owner of the Bank’s procurement system and responsible for continual maintenance and upgrade to meet the Bank’s ongoing needs.
  • Oversee and monitor regular evaluation of contractors’ performance to ensure sustainable impact and value for money.
  • Lead implementation of initiatives and transformative activities to enhance checks and balances and quality including Contract and Supplier Risk Management, Health Safety and Environment (HSE), Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Modern Slavery and Diversity in procurement suppliers.
  • Lead work program development and implementation.
  • Initiate studies of new and innovative approaches to corporate procurement.
  • Lead review and preparation of policies and strategies to incorporate the new experiences and best practices, to ensure best value for money and service quality.
  • Lead procurement planning and preparation of strategies for the delivery of corporate procurement services to support customer requirements effectively and efficiently with evolving Bank’s strategic objectives.
  • Coordinate the revising of all administrative procedures and manuals on corporate procurement for the Bank Group and making recommendations for amendments as appropriate.
  • Implement and deliver category management strategies for corporate procurement and improve knowledge, visibility, transparency. spend analysis reporting and disclosure of procurement information.
  • Supervise the review and quality control of terms of references and technical specifications of the acquiring services and facilities related to corporate procurement contract management.
  • On-board, motivate, coach and manage staff with focus on professional development and continuous improvement. Train and develop the entire procurement team to achieve improved service and capability.
  • Create enabling environment for enhanced staff engagement, collaboration and teamwork.
  • Lead relevant training for Bank staff both at HQ and in the Country Offices with respect to Corporate Procurement activities.
  • Maintain relationships with other IFIs, industry associations and procurement authorities in order to develop international best practice in corporate procurement and contracting. Represent the Bank in corporate procurement-related events at international level.
  • Supervise the functioning of the Secretariat of the Purchasing Committee.
Selection Criteria
  • At least a Master's Degree in Administration, Business, Economics, Law, Procurement and Supply Chain Management, Engineering or their equivalent; Qualification in Procurement and/or Supply Chain Management, specialized training in Procurement or Supply Chain Management will be an added advantage.
  • At least eight (10) years of relevant experience of which three (3) years will be at management level.
  • Practical experience in a multilateral development organization will be an added advantage but not a pre-requisite.
  • Excellent management and leadership skills including procurement transformation, optimization of procure-to-pay and source-to-contract management systems.
  • Experience of preparing and submitting externally visible reports.
  • Experience in reviewing and developing procurement policies, contracts and standard tender documents.
  • Proven history of engaging with senior internal stakeholders to align procurement activity with the Bank’s growth ambitions.
  • Experience of working with external parties to deliver improvements to the cost-effectiveness of the procurement service.
  • Highly developed problem solving and negotiations skills.
  • Strong communication and presentation skills.
  • Understand, interpret and apply the Bank’s rules and procedures and public procurement principles.
  • Act with integrity and always maintain confidentiality.
  • Observe the highest standard of ethics, honesty and accountability.
  • Communicate and write effectively in French or English, with a good working knowledge of the other language;
  • Competence in the use of standard Microsoft Office Suite applications and SAP.
Deadline: 27th November, 2018. Method of Application Interested and qualified candidates should: Click here to apply online Note
  • To apply for this position, you need to be national of one of AfDB member countries.
  • Applicants who fully meet the Bank's requirements and are considered for interview will be contacted. Only online applications submitted with a comprehensive Curriculum Vitae (CV) and copies of the required degrees will be considered. The President, AfDB, reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level. The African Development Bank is an equal opportunities employer. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
  • The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) does not ask for payments of any kind from applicants throughout the recruitment process (job application, CV review, interview meeting, and final processing of applications). In addition, the Bank does not request information on applicants’ bank accounts. The African Development Bank Group declines all responsibility for the fraudulent publications of job offers in its name or, in general, for the fraudulent use of its name in any way whatsoever.